Background
The
society was started in 1997 by two women at Black Butte Ranch,
in an attempt to preserve and protect local history through education
of the public. The early days of the society were spent as an
unincorporated entity; the primary function was holding informational
public meetings. During those early years the organization became
the caretaker of nearly 5000 photograph and numerous artifacts.
In July 2002 Black Butte Ranch was hit by wildfire
and two houses burned to the ground. Jean Nave, cofounder and
the primary coordinator of the historical society, was asked
by the BBR Fire Chief to write a book about the event. In the
end the book, Wildfire Hits Black Butte Ranch,
was published and sold. All “profits” from the
publication after printing expenses, were shared between the
fire department and the historical society. It is these funds
that offered the chance to form an incorporated 501 c (3) organization,
which became official in 2003.
In March, 2004 the society
board changed the name of the organization to Sisters Country
Historical Society to better serve the historical interest
of the three community area of Black Butte Ranch, Sisters (both
Deschutes County) and Camp Sherman (Jefferson County) Oregon.
We are a totally volunteer organization. All
contributions made to the Sisters Country Historical Society
go directly toward achieving our objectives in serving the
community, not toward building unproductive staff positions
and overhead. We welcome your questions and appreciate any
support you wish to give.
Our projects include:
- Developing and maintaining an historical
website representing the area we serve.
- Offering public educational programs
with local and national speakers.
- Working with local schools to develop
and present local history programs that involve and inspire
an interest in history.
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SCHS
Board of Directors:
Janet returned to Oregon after a
long research career in geology with the U.S. Geological
Survey specializing in sedimentary and stratigraphic systems
and basin analyses in the central western states. She is
the author of many publications and maps in geology both
with USGS and other venues. Earlier in her career, she
served as a naturalist and lecturer for the National Park
Service in western national parks. After retirement from
the USGS, she taught geology courses at various community
colleges. She works in computer graphic arts, photography,
and popular guides in geology and natural science.
Georgia Gallaghar
Born in Sisters, Oregon, in the
log home her father in 1915, Georgia knows well the “early
days” of Sisters. 1944 was a big year for Georgia,
she graduated from Oregon State College and was crowned
Sisters Rodeo Queen. Recognized locally as an advocate
for preserving Sisters Country history, Georgia’s
involvement with the Society has enabled the group to do
more community outreach. The result is new contacts with
others who have a long history in the area and who possess
historical information, photos and documents.
John Hayes
BA Pacific University, MA Pepperdine
University. John has written numerous newspaper and magazine
article dealing with the history of the American Northwest
and the region’s stunning natural landscape/ His
book, Cascade Chronicles: Timeless
Wandering, was published
in 2002. He has been an instructor for Central Oregon Community
College and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Reserve
Academy.
Marean Jordan
BA and MA from San Francisco
State University; Advanced to candidacy for a PhD. in English
from the University of California, Davis. Marean has taught
English and writing for many years at the secondary and
university levels. She has done extensive professional
development with teachers, first as co-director of a partnership
program between UC, Berkeley and the San Francisco and
Oakland public schools and then as Director of Professional
Development with the Strategic Literacy Initiative at WestEd,
a project focusing on helping students become better readers
in their content area classes. She has written articles
and reviews and is co-editor of a book of essays on adolescent
reading improvement.
Jean Nave
The author of four books, Jean
spent much of her professional career in high-tech marketing
and later as a paid professional speaker. During the 1980s
Jean hosted two cable television shows. She has taught
many classes at the community college level, including
Central Oregon Community College, and written articles
for numerous newspapers, including the Oregonian and the
Bend Bulletin. In 2002, Jean wrote Wildfire
Hits Black Butte Ranch for the benefit of
the Black Butte Fire Department and the Historical Society.
Jean and her husband are long-time fund raisers for Oregon
State University’s
athletics and she currently serves as a Commissioner on
the Deschutes County Historical Landmarks Commission.
Conrad Weiler
Biology graduate from Fairleigh Dickinson
University (BS) and USC (MS). Worked six years at City
of Hope, Duarte, CA, medical center in cancer research.
Biology teacher in California Community College system
for 31 years. Central Oregon Community College Community
Education instructor for eight years. Former correspondent
for the Bend Bulletin and Nugget newspapers in Central
Oregon. Photographer with Alsi Photography.
Currently, Conrad contributes copy and photos for the
Sisters Oregon Guide and is the president of the Sisters
Area Photo Club and the Black Butte Macintosh Users Group.
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Donors
and Sponsors
As an all volunteeer organization, this historical
society would not be possible without the generous support
of our donors and sponsors. Some provide financial support,
some provide their time and talents, and some provide both.
Please visit their website. Thank you
Donors |
Web Site |
La Verne Blatt |
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Barbara Eppinger |
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Paul and Jessie Goodmonson |
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Jean and Claude Nave |
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| Anonymous |
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Sponsors |
Web
Site |
Black Butte Ranch |
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The Roundhouse Foundation |
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City of Sisters |
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Ponderosa Properties |
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