Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and projects for outstanding heritage efforts. The nomination process is an opportunity to honor work that goes above and beyond expectations, serves as a model for future work, and inspires others. Special consideration is given to the development of new ideas, approaches, and innovations.
The Sally Donovan Award for Historic Cemetery Preservation is a special category that recognizes outstanding contributions in the preservation of Oregon Historic Cemeteries.
In 2022, a new non-competitive category was added for Standout Heritage Volunteers. Heritage organization have the opportunity to recognize volunteers at the statewide level who have greatly contributed to their organization.
Deadline: 2026 Awards deadline has passed, 2028 awards will open for nominations in Fall 2027.
Awards Nomination Online Q&A: December 2, 2025, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Register here.
- The Q&A is an opportunity to learn more about the awards process and criteria, how to submit a nomination, and tips to help support a competitive nomination.
Awards Nomination Guidelines & Submission Process
Timeline: The
excellence awards have transitioned to a once a biennium celebration in
coordination with our in person conference during even years. The
nomination period opens in early November and closes in mid-January. The
contact identified in the application will be notified of the review
committee’s decision in February. Award winners are publicly recognized
at Oregon Heritage’s Conference gathering in April of even years. The 2026 Oregon Heritage Conference & Heritage Excellence Awards will be April 29-May 2 in Woodburn.
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Join us April 29, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Mt. Angel Festhalle in Mt. Angel to honor the following 2026 Oregon Heritage Excellence Award Recipients. Learn more about the event and register to attend here.
2026 Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards Recipients:
Oregon Historical Society’s The Yasui Family: An American Story for work spanning years of meticulous preservation, translation, and research culminating in an exhibition and accompanying programs, online resources, and curricula, offering unparalleled windows into the lives of Japanese immigrants and their families in the decades before and after mass incarceration in WWII.
Kathleen Sligar for her outstanding contributions to statewide heritage preservation efforts demonstrating resourcefulness, selflessness, and her deep commitment to supporting and developing the statewide heritage preservation community through mentorship and service.
Mark Prairie Historical Society’s Mark Prairie Schoolhouse Restoration Project, a volunteer led project that took over 4 years and $1.2 million resulting in a restoration that honors the community’s past and authentically showcases the building’s architectural integrity.
Oregon Nisei Veterans WWII Memorial Highway and Historical Marker Project for its grassroots collaboration that culminated in the dedication of a 41-mile stretch of Highway 35 from Government Camp to Hood River as the Oregon Nisei Veterans WWII Memorial Highway and a state-sponsored historical marker telling the story of more than 430 Oregon Nisei who served in World War II, even as many of their families were incarcerated under Executive Order 9066.
Paul Falsetto, a Portland architect with three decades of service, for his quality of rehabilitation work, depth of preservation knowledge, and exemplary dedication to the field of historic preservation in Oregon.
The Japanese American Museum of Oregon’s Japanese American History in Oregon Traveling Trunks project for serving as a critical resource for educators with standards-aligned lessons, primary resources and artifacts, and biographies to bring this essential American story to life and fostering a deeper appreciation for the resilience and contributions of Japanese Americans.
Tim Hills, lead Historian for McMenamin’s, for his dedication to uncovering history and his love of storytelling that made history a foundational pillar of McMenamins. His research and community partner collaboration has influenced the preservation, design, and use of historic buildings and has inspired a culture of appreciating and preserving the past.
Jim Proehl for his dedication to preserving and promoting the history of Bandon through his service to the Bandon Historical society in the forms of leadership, education, communication, collection care, fundraising, and beyond.
Watershed Rock Opera project that went beyond traditional interpretation by transforming lived experience, cultural knowledge, and ecological insight into an original, multimedia rock opera.
Rob McIntyre for his community centered approach and dedication to the preservation and restoration of Athena’s historic Gem Theater and Star Saloon ensuring it will continue to educate, entertain, and inspire for generations to come.
Rainier Oregon Historical Museum for exemplifying the power of volunteerism, vision, and community dedication in the ten years of establishing their organization through partnerships and community outreach resulting in recent completion of a brand new museum building.
Paul Quarino (1942-2024) for his 44 years serving as steward and caretaker of Coos Bay’s Egyptian Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer, ensuring that the magic of this 1925 organ – the only theater organ in Oregon in its original location – could be shared with future generations.
2026 Standout Heritage Volunteers:
- Ron LeBlanc with the Canby Heritage and Landmark Commission.
- Bob Setterberg, Donna Setterberg, Abby Dawson, and Marvin Dawson with the Oregon Historical Society.
- Al Tocchini with the Travel Information Council Oregon Heritage Tree Committee.
- Cynthia Basye with the Japanese Museum of Oregon.
- Sharron Matson Rosengarth with the Bend Park and Recreation District Hollinshead-Matson Homestead Museum.
- Colleen “CoCo” Sutton with the City of Coos Bay.
- Judi Wolfer Aus with the Mark Prairie Historical Society.
- Rosemary Johnson with the Oregon Heritage Commission.
- Sarah Silbernagel and Milo Reed with the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries.
- Gwen Trice with State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation.
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View previous awardees below:
2024 Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards:
Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center for exceptional work in preserving the Maxville townsite, a multi-racial logging community established in Wallowa County in the 1920s.The multi-phased approach included acquisition of the land, project of the last remaining building, archaeological research, and listing the site on the National Register of Historic Places. View Video.
Oscar Hult for his service and dedication to preserving and promoting Albany’s heritage. View Video.
Talent Historical Society’s Documenting the Almeda Fire project, for a comprehensive documentation project following the 2020 Almeda Fire that had a devastating impact on communities in Southern Oregon. View Video.
US Army Corps of Engineers for the Willamette Valley Project Section 106 Programmatic Agreement resulting in a groundbreaking approach to consultation and setting a new standard for collaborative decision-making in historic preservation efforts. View Video.
Peggy Sigler for over three decades of impact in preserving Oregon’s heritage, promoting its value, and heritage advocacy efforts. View Video.
City of Salem’s Historic Landmarks Commission and its innovative approach in protecting cultural and archaeological resources that serves as a model locally and nationally. View Video.
Kelly Cannon-Miller for her dedication, strategic vision, and collaborative spirit in Deschutes County heritage preservation efforts and beyond. View Video.
Kimberly Moreland for her dedication to and service in documenting, preserving, and championing Oregon's heritage with a focus on Oregon’s African American history. View Video.
The Liberty Theatre, Home of the Little Theatre on the Bay in North Bend, for their extensive renovation effort preserving the theatre's 1924 architecture while modernizing its amenities and accessibility. View Video.
Mark Beach for his 30 years of service in researching and sharing Oregon’s North Coast history. View Video.
Mary Jo Morelli for her dedicated advocacy for historical preservation and education in Forest Grove for close to five decades. View Video.
The 2024 Sally Donovan Award for Historic Cemetery Preservation goes to Cricket Soules for nearly two decades of work transforming the Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery from a neglected site into a vibrant community space and educational resource. View Video.
Standout Heritage Volunteers:
- James Walker Wilson III with the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.
- Maureen Smith with the Jackson County Heritage Association.
- Layne Sawyer with the Oregon State Archives.
- Carol Phillips with Baker City Downtown.
- Dawn Eleen with Canby Historical Society.
- Jack Carroll with Travel Information Council, Oregon Historical Marker Committee.
- Alice Mullaly with Southern Oregon Historical Society.
- Katie Williams with Oregon Museums Association.
- JoAnn Wittenberg with Friends of Cascade Locks Historical Museum & Museums of the Gorge.
- Jenna Fribley with Springfield History Museum.
- Adele “Del” Smith with Coos Art Museum.
- Mark Brown with Oswego Heritage Council.
- Jeanne Woods with Liberty Theatre, Home of the Little Theatre on the Bay.
- Chelsea Rose, Matias Trejo De Dios, and Laura Ferguson with Oregon Heritage Commission.
- Charlotte Lehan with Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries.
- Stephen Dow Beckham and Mart Tveskov with State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation.
View
video of the 2024 Standout Heritage Volunteers.
Previous Awardees (2007-2022)