Behind the Scenes

The Philip Foster Farm closes down for the winter, but we’re still busy! Keep reading for updates on building projects, archives, and school activities.

Lucy House – Lucy Foster Burnett’s great-grandson, Tom, continues to renovate her house, recently moved across the street to join our historic site. So many discoveries are being made! Where were the chimneys? What was the wallpaper? What color was the paint? As the house is taken back to its original form, we are finding lots of “easter eggs” hidden in its walls and closets. The house will be re-sided and shored up for visitors, to support authentic living history in this restored 1860 home.

Archives and Collections – Staff and volunteers are sorting, cataloging, and storing artifacts and documents. One day we hope to have a searchable collection online,  so anyone researching Oregon Trail emigrants can find the traces they left behind, and come visit us to follow in their footsteps.

Trails Across Time – Students come down occasionally to work at the Farm, but will spend most of the winter in their Eagle Creek classroom. This year 1 middle and high school scholars are studying the Civil War, Current Events, and Oregon History. Contact teacher Elaine Butler at [email protected] if you’d wish to join them in some Oregon History field trips.

Help Wanted – We are in need of a janitorial service that can work seasonally and accommodate our strange hours in 2017. If interested, please contact [email protected] with your resume and references.