OREGON STATE CAPITOL FOUNDATION IN THE NEWS
Find out what people are saying about our nonprofit.

Sept. 22, 2022
Elleda Wilson: What’s in your attic?
By Elleda Wilson, The Daily Astorian

Sept. 22, 2022
In One Ear: What’s in your attic?
By Elleda Wilson, The Astorian

Sept. 22, 2022
What’s In Your Attic?
Salem Business Journal

Sept. 16, 2022
What’s In Your Attic?
Willamette Living Magazine
Salem, Ore. – In an effort to help preserve our state’s history and make it accessible to Oregonians, educators, art enthusiasts, history buff and others, the Oregon State Capitol Foundation is launching the Governors’ Portraits Search to locate and catalog missing portraits of former Oregon governors.
“We know many oil paintings of territorial and state governors were lost when the Capitol burned in 1935, but we also know some of them were saved from the fire,” said Joan Plank, Capitol Foundation Board member.

April 21, 2022
Capitol History Gateway Program wins Oregon Heritage Excellence Award
State of Oregon Legislative Administration
Stacy Nalley, 503-986-1391
Salem, Ore. – The Capitol History Gateway (CHG) Program has been named as one of three winners of a 2022 Oregon Heritage Excellence Award. The Oregon Heritage Commission reviews the projects and programs nominated annually and awards recipients based on a specific set of criteria.
The CHG Program is a broad, multi-year program that focuses on Oregon’s heritage, diversity and access to democracy. Components of the program entail exhibits – both static and revolving; public events; tours – both guided in-person and virtual, as well as an all-virtual experience in multiple languages; a speaker series; and a digital welcome center.
The Visitor Services staff, under the direction of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Administrator, build and implement the program, with funding support from the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

March 31, 2022
Purchase a Pacific Wonderland License Plate and Support OHS and the Oregon State Capitol Foundation
Oregon Historical Society
OHS E-News Community Shout-Out
Your purchase of a Pacific Wonderland license plate helps the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and Oregon Historical Society share stories about what makes Oregonians and our beautiful Capitol special in thoughtful, illuminating, and provocative ways.
March 14, 2022
Spring Break Passport to Fun! at the Capitol
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacy Nalley
The Oregon State Capitol’s event Spring Break Passport to Fun! offers activities to families during March 21-26, 2022. Participants can earn passport stamps at several downtown Salem locations, and enter their completed passport in a raffle for a prize basket. The Capitol Foundation is the presenting sponsor of this event.

March 07, 2022
Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacy Nalley
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation is the presenting sponsor of Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol. The event will be available online starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 19.

February 22, 2022
Teaching Civics? There’s a new Oregon grant for that.
Salem Reporter
By Rachel Alexander
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation wants to get students and adults more involved in their government. The Capitol Foundation is awarding up to $50,000 in grants for new or existing civics education programs as part of its new Civics Education Initiative, according to a news release.

February 16, 2022
New program to promote civics education will grant $50,000 for projects across state
Oregon Capitol Chronicle
By Alex Baumhardt
Oregonians interested in learning more about state history and government can apply for a share of $50,000 in sponsorship to use for projects, research and field trips.
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation will award the money to any individual or group to use for civics lessons in schools, to carry out an extracurricular activity, a public service project or research project about state government and history. The money can also be used to cover travel costs to the Capitol..

February 04, 2022
Oregon’s 163 Birthday and Anniversary of Statehood Celebration
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacy Nalley
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation is the presenting sponsor of Oregon’s 163 birthday and anniversary of statehood celebration. The event will be celebrated virtually on Saturday, February 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
I recently read the article in the Statesman Journal from Claire Withycombe (a descendant of Governor Withycombe) about the Oregon State Capitol Foundation trying to track down the whereabouts and general information about the missing portraits of Oregon’s governors. I thought I would do a little sleuthing. I was hoping, perhaps there would be an old blurry photograph of one of the missing paintings hidden in the wayback archives of our local Oregon newspapers. Sadly, no blurry images yet, but lots of interesting bits of information…

November 28, 2021
My search for a portrait of my great-great-grandfather
Statesman Journal
By Claire Withycombe
The Capitol Foundation is trying to track down nearly 30 portraits of Oregon governors, including my great-great-grandfather, James Withycombe…
Above photo: Former Oregon Governor James Withycombe. Harriet’s Photograph Collection (P HC), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

November 10, 2021
Holidays at the Capitol
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacey Nalley
Celebrate Holidays at the Capitol starting December 1 at 8 a.m. through December 23 at 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy décor in the rotunda and outside of the House and Senate chambers, as well as an electronic exhibit showcasing past holiday experiences and messages from select sponsors and choirs.

November 08, 2021
Capitol History Gateway Exhibit Sponsorship Offers Funding
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacey Nalley
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation is funding events and exhibits at the Oregon State Capitol through the Capitol History Gateway program. Any cultural and heritage museums wanting to tell their stories with an exhibit at the Capitol can apply now through January 31, 2022 to get a chance to receive funding.

November 02, 2021
A Tribute to Veterans at the Capitol takes place November 8 through 12
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacey Nalley
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation is sponsoring A Tribute to Veterans. The showcase of service flags and uniforms takes place as a weeklong event at the Capitol from noon Monday, November 8 to noon Friday, November 12.

September 15, 2021
Hispanic Heritage Day at the State Capitol Celebrated Virtually on September 18
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacey Nalley
Hispanic Heritage Day at the Oregon State Capitol is sponsored by the Foundation. Hispanic Heritage Day is celebrated online on Saturday, September 18, starting at 10 a.m.

July 27, 2021
Oregon State Capitol Hosts Multicultural Day Reimagined, an Online Event Highlighting the State’s Diverse Heritage
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacey Nalley
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation is the presenting sponsor of the Oregon State Capitol’s Multicultural Day Reimagined event. The virtual event begins Saturday, August 7 at 10 a.m. and includes family-friendly activities such as musical entertainment, dancing and storytelling.

April 14, 2021
Asian and Pacific Islander Day at the Capitol brings a colorful awareness of rich hertiage on April 24
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacey Nalley
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation is the presenting sponsor of the Oregon State Capitol’s virtual Asian and Pacific Islander Day. The event honors the culture, traditions, heritage and history of Asian and Pacific Islanders and begins on April 24 at 10 a.m.

January 28, 2021
Oregon State Capitol offers virtual tour in Spanish, Mandarin
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacey Nalley
The Oregon State Capitol is excited to offer a 360-degree virtual tour in Spanish and Mandarin languages in addition to the existing English version.
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation provided funding for the development of the virtual tour in all its versions.
January 28, 2021
Oregon State Capitol offers virtual tour with messaging for school children
Oregon State Capitol
By Stacey Nalley
The Oregon State Capitol is excited to offer a 360-degree virtual tour with thematic elements appropriate for school-aged children. The tour was written with an audience of fourth graders in mind, as that is the year civics lessons are introduced.
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation provided funding for the development of the virtual tour in all its versions.

January 27, 2021
Colleagues surprise Bell with inaugural Oregon State Capitol Foundation Frankie Bell Award
Oregon State Capitol Foundation
On Jan. 27, 2021, the Foundation board adopted a policy to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the organization. Next, they surprised founding member Frances “Frankie” Bell with the inaugural Oregon State Capitol Foundation Frankie Bell Award.
“It is with immense pride that we recognize Frankie’s foresight and years of hard work. She demonstrates extraordinary commitment and dedication by serving our organization, the Capitol and Oregonians.”
Former Oregon State Capitol Foundation Chair Kim Duncan, who bestowed the award to Bell.
Bell — the award’s namesake — saw the possibilities of an organization committed to the physical preservation of the Oregon State Capitol and educational programs offered to Capitol visitors and Oregonians. She organized the Foundation’s first volunteer board in 1995, two years before the organization’s founding by statute. More than 25 years later, she continues to nurture the nonprofit’s growth.
Bell was also a key player in creating the Capitol’s gift shop and the volunteer and building use programs. She’s living proof that one person makes a difference!

January 15, 2021
The Foundation is proud to help sponsor the “Why I Love Oregon” essay content, a tradition that the Gilbert House Children’s Museum is keeping alive for the community. Fourth graders in Oregon are eligible to participate. Essays are due Feb. 1, 2021.

January 20, 2021
Willamette Heritage Center partners with Capitol Foundation for return of speaker series in 2021
Willamette Heritage Center
By Michelle Cordova
The Willamette Heritage Center and Oregon State Capitol Foundation present “Zooming Back to History” for its second year of the monthly online history speaker series. The series will return Feb. 9, 2021, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This public online gathering seeks to share historical perspectives of topics related to the mid-Willamette valley and beyond. Each speaker will talk about their topic for approximately 30 minutes, followed by a live Q&A session.
Michigan’s classic white-on-blue license plates, as well as its white-on-black plates, could be available again if a measure introduced into the state legislature is passed.
California began offering a yellow-on-black plate design, originally used from 1963–’69, in 2015. The state had originally proposed also bringing back the black-on-yellow plate and the later yellow-on-blue plates, but in pre-orders the black plates won out. Oregon brought back its Pacific Wonderland blue plate, originally from 1959, as an alternative option in 2009, the state’s 150th anniversary. It remains available at an extra fee, with the proceeds going toward the Oregon Historical Society and the Oregon State Capitol Foundation. Nevada similarly offers its Circa 1982 white-on-blue design, though it’s a special-order plate and not carried at DMVs.

August 11, 2020
Video submissions will replace live performances at yearly cultural celebration
Salem Reporter
By Saphara Harrell
Now in its third year, Multicultural Day at the Capitol sough submissions from different cultural organizations so the event could go on —from a distance.
In a different time, the Capitol would be bustling this weekend with Irish dancers, people dressed in traditional Japanese garb and the sounds or mariachi music.

April 29, 2020
Itching for a field trip? Walk through Oregon’s Capitol online
Salem Reporter
By Rachel Alexander
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation is promoting a comprehensive, free virtual tour to help kids learning state history and adults who need a break from Zoom meetings.

April 27, 2020
Five Things for Monday, including new PPP and seeking mortgage relief
Portland Business Journal
By Christopher Bjorke
Capitol Tour
Itching to get our and absorb some Oregon history? The Capitol in Salem is closed for Covid-19, but the Oregon State Capitol Foundation has created a virtual tour of the historic building, complete with narration and video. For parents, look like a good stay-at-home field trip.

March/April, 2020
The Continueing Path to Interpreting Democracy at Oregon’s Capitol
Legacy magazine, Volume 31, Number 2
By Stacy Nalley
The History Gateway Strategic Plan was approved by the Legislative Administration Committee in September 2012. The final plan was a result of 10 months of inclusive community engagement with stakeholders, including the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, state agencies, and the heritage/tourism community. It defined the framework of mission, vision, values, and strategic goals to guide development for the history center at the Capitol, now called the Capitol History Gateway (CHG).

October 18, 2019
Capitol History Gateway programming receives Willamette Heritage Center’s 2019 Heritage Education Award
The Willamette Heritage Center Annual Heritage Award honors and recognizes leaders and organizations who significantly contribute to the preservation of the community’s heritage.

Sept./Oct. 2019
Capitol Idea
Legacy magazine, Volume 30, Number 5
By Stacey Nalley
Technology grants access to Oregon State Capitol, a project of the Capitol History Gateway program. To supplement the virtual experience, the tour features narrated audio, videos, photos and downloadable PDFs. There is even a resource page to guide visitors to other cultural and heritage organizations throughout the state.

September 30, 2019
Crowd gathers at governor’s home to support Oregon Capitol projects
Salem Reporter
By Mary Louise VanNatta
Longtime Capitol hands gather in Salem to hear updates on projects that touch Oregon history.

March 15, 2019
Capitol, Foundation win Impact Award from Oregon Festival & Events Association
Statesman Journal
By Abby Lushei
The Oregon State Capitol and Oregon State Capitol Foundation earned the award for community impact at the Oregon Festival & Events Association’s (OFEA) Ovation! Awards. Impact Awards are given to events that focus on promoting a specific culture, ethnicity or heritage, or more than one.
The Capitol and Foundation earned this award for the Capitol History Gateway Program, which started in 2015 and hosts events including Oregon’s Birthday Celebration, Cherry Blossom Day, Hispanic Heritage Day, Oregon’s Bounty, Asian and Pacific Islander Day and Multicultural Day.