April - May - June - July - September

April 2008

April 12, 11am - 1pm
Take a few ingredients from your kitchen pantry and make kitchen clay.

Lecture and Heritage Awards - Creed without Chaos: Dorothy L. Sayers’s Religious Writings
Laura K. Simmons
Thursday, April 17, 7:30pm
Like many fans of Dorothy L. Sayers’s fictional detective, Lord Peter Wimsey, Laura K. Simmons was surprised to learn that Sayers wrote brilliant plays, essays, poetry and a full-length book on religious themes. In these works, Sayers considered how religion, particularly Christianity, interfaced with ideas about creativity, intellect, words and language, work, vocation, and women’s issues. Sayers (1893-1957) was a contemporary of thinkers who were exploring Christianity in their writing, such as JRR Tolkein and CS Lewis. As a woman she was excluded from their literary society, The Inklings, but she wrote with a wit, precision and clarity that places her squarely at the forefront of their deliberations about modernity and spiritual life. Sayers drew inspiration, even for her religious writing, from what she called a “passionate intellect.” Simmons brings together material from Sayers’ published and unpublished works for a look at a complex and fascinating woman.

 

Volunteer Open House - All are Welcome!
April 26, 12 - 1pm

May 2008

Lecture: Hiking Oregon’s History
William Sullivan
Saturday, May 3, 1pm
Fee: Included with museum admission.
Come Explore Oregon’s Rugged Past! In Oregon, history and the natural environment are intricately woven together through tales of exploration and survival. William L. Sullivan captures this sentiment in his guidebook Hiking Oregon’s History. Sullivan’s book not only offers directions to find stunning hikes throughout the state, but tells the stories behind these spectacular places that are in our own backyard. William Sullivan is the author of many books on the subject of hiking in Oregon, including Listening for Coyote, Exploring Oregon’s Wild Areas, and Cabin Fever: Notes from a Part-Time Pioneer. Sullivan is the author the “Oregon Trails,” a feature column in the Register Guard newspaper. He has also co-authored college textbooks and written several fiction novels.

May 10, 11am - 1pm
What can you do with a piece of yarn? Come learn how to play Cat’s Cradle.

In Honor of Mothers!
May 10th - Museum admission free to all moms.

WWII Heritage Program
Saturday, May 10, 1pm
Fee: Included with museum admission.
The Oregon National Guard Heritage Outreach Program is coming to Mission Mill Museum! In preparation for Memorial Day the National Guard will be on hand showing their collection of World War II memorabilia in a presentation designed for all ages. Learn about Oregon’s involvement in the Second Great War, from the stories of the 104th Infantry Division, Camp Adair, and the Oregon Bombing sites. Their fabulous display includes an authentic jacket and hat from WWII. Visitors interact with the display by feeling a wool blanket used by soldiers and learning how to communicate with a “Clicker.” Honor those who served by learning about the trials they faced.

24th Annual Sheep to Shawl Festival
Saturday, May 17, 10am - 4pm
Bring your friends and family to Mission Mill Museum and explore Salem’s rich heritage! You may wander through our woolen mill and marvel at the complex machinery. From 10am to 4pm, we’ll have music, animals, children’s crafts, a plant sale, a heritage expo and more. Demonstrators will be showing off their talents and living history presenters will transport visitors into the past with their fascinating tales of yesteryear.

 

A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village Plant Sale
Friday and Saturday, May 30th and31st
10am - 4pm
Here's an opportunity to shop for some wonderful plants for your garden. Perennials, annuals, flowers, bushes, trees, and herbs will be set-up in Mission Mill's picturesque streamside setting. There is no admission charge for the Plant Sale. All proceeds go to support A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village!

New Exhibit Opens: Souls, Skills and Scholars
May 30 – August 30:
This exhibition explores the history of Methodist education in the Willamette Valley. Jason Lee came to Oregon as the superintendent of the Methodist Mission. Among his charges was to begin a school for Native American children in the Willamette Valley. Towards this end, the Indian Manual Labor School was founded in 1834 to impart Christian values to Kalapuyan youth while providing instruction in English, manual and domestic arts, and agriculture. The school opened ten miles north of Salem, in the area known as Mission Bottom. Due to constant flooding, however, the school was moved to the higher ground on Chemeketa Prairie, present-day Salem, in 1841. As the Mission population grew, a need for a school to serve their own children was recognized, and on Feb. 1, 1842, the Oregon Institute was established to meet this need. Originally housed on Wallace Prairie, several miles north of Mill Creek, it was moved to Chemeketa Prairie in 1844 when the Mission was closed and the Indian Labor Training School was sold to the Oregon Institute. Willamette University, officially established in 1853, was a direct outgrowth of the Oregon Institute that the Missionaries founded.

May 2008

June 14th, 11am - 1pm
Braid a Rag Trivet! Pioneers recycled their fabric, so come learn one of the ways they reused fabric by creating a braided rag trivet.

Lecture: “Justice in Frontier Oregon, 1851 - 1905.”
Diane L. Goeres-Gardner
June 21st, 1pm
Fee: Included with museum admission.
Just over one hundred years ago, many Oregon cities held public executions with men, women, and children congregating to watch convicted criminals hang from gallows erected in local fields. Even after it was common for stockades to hide the actual event, thousands watched and waited outside the walls. In a state known for its peaceful agrarian communities, what caused such events to be accepted, even celebrated? How is it that the names of many involved in these executions now dot our state’s roads, buildings, parks, and history?
Local historian Diane L. Goeres-Gardner explores the changing attitudes and perceptions - from the 1850 hanging of Native Americans for the Whitman massacre to 1905, when the last execution in Oregon outside of a state penitentiary took place. By understanding the heritage and burden of this strange history, we are better prepared to consider the modern questions of justice that confront us. This program comes to us through, and is generously sponsored by the Oregon Council for the Humanities Chautauqua program, funded through the Oregon Council for the Humanities.

In Honor of Fathers!
June 14th - Museum admission free to all dads.

Teen Interpretive Program Orientation
June 26-27 from 10am – 2pm
Explore the past this summer! The Teen Interpretive Program is a great way for teenagers to gain elective credits while playing games – pioneer games that is! Students enrolled in the program must attend an orientation session, where they will learn the general history interpreted by the museum and take an in-depth look at historic characters, so they can take on a living history persona. During the summer, students participate in living history, wear costumes and recreate activities from the past. Whether it’s tending the herb garden, knitting a pair of socks or spinning wool, T.I.P. is a hands-on way to learn about history. Excellent for students interested in drama, history or education.

After the mandatory orientation sessions students can set a regular but flexible schedule throughout the summer with a minimum requirement of three hours per week.
For more information please contact Jennifer Senner at 503-585-7012 ext 225 or jennifers@missionmill.org.

 

July 2008

Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration
July 4th, 11am -1pm
Bring a picnic or enjoy lunch at Tucker’s at the Mill, then join us on the lawn for games such as graces, hoops and watermelon seed-spitting.

Mission Mill Players Begins!

Session I - July 7-11, Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm, Ages 8 - 12
Cost: Member $50 Non-Member $60 Full Description

Introducing All New Misison Mill Mini Players!

Session I - July 7 - 11, Monday-Thursday, 10am-Noon, Ages 5 - 7
Cost: Member $40 Non-Member $45 Full Description

June 12th, 11am - 1pm
Learn to make bath salts -What better way to refresh yourself after a long day in the heat? Take a soak using your homemade bath salts.

SessionII - July 14 - 18, Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm, Ages 8 - 12
Cost: Member $50 Non-Member $60 Full Description

Session II - July 14 - 17, Monday-Thursday, 10am-Noon, Ages 5 - 7
Cost: Member $40 Non-Member $45 Full Description

Session III - July 21 - 25, Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm, Ages 8 - 12
Cost: Member $50 Non-Member $60 Full Description

Session III - July 21 - 24, Monday-Thursday, 10am-Noon, Ages 5 - 7
Cost: Member $40 Non-Member $45 Full Description

Speaker: “Historic Preservation and Place”
Virginia Green
July 26th, 1pm - Fee: Free
Local Historian Virginia Green discusses historic preservation and how it relates to some famous sites around Salem. Virginia Green is very active in preservation efforts within the community. Come learn about the fascinating sites in our backyard.

Session IV - July 28 - August 1, Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm, Ages 8 - 12
Cost: Member $50 Non-Member $60 Full Description

September 2008

September 13th, 11am - 1pm
Coffee Filter Butterflies -Explore color blending and dyes while making a colorful butterfly.