And the timing couldn’t be better.  The Friends is simultaneously launching our $1M “Campaign to Restore the Chateau”.  You might be asking yourself what is the difference between the renovations being undertaken by the National Park Service, and those proposed by the Friends.  Well, let’s clear that up.

While both projects aim to improve the Chateau, the NPS project focuses solely on public building, safety, and ADA code compliance such as fire detection and suppression systems, emergency exits and expansion of public and private spaces that meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Additionally, most interior systems (plumbing, electrical, etc.) are original and have exceeded their service lives, the modernization of which the NPS project also aims to address.

On the other hand, the Friends’ “Campaign to Restore the Chateau” will address the much-needed cultural and historical restoration of the Chateau.  So while the goals of each of these renovations are different, the planning, processes, and execution of many of the projects along the way will share common stages.  With the implementation of the NPS renovation project, we have the opportunity leverage our “Campaign to Restore the Chateau” funds to do just that: restore the Chateau without having to spend extra money on redoing portions of the work that the Park Service will already have to perform in order to complete its project.

However, our time to raise the campaign funds is short, as the ability the Friends to take advantage of the work done by the NPS relies on a very tight schedule of start dates.  Please take a moment to find out more about the “Campaign to Restore the Chateau” and donate to the restoration of this historical building.  Details can be found on the campaign overview page, including a timeline, giving opportunities, and a photo gallery of the restoration process.

The Details

Friday, April 27, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Oregon Historical Society
1200 SW Park Avenue, Portland [map]

Join us for an evening celebrating the intrigue, the importance, and the statewide influence of the Oregon Caves and its National Historic Landmark Chateau. Portland’s KOIN Local 6 news anchor, Jeff Gianola, will be our emcee for the evening.

Preview rare film footage of the construction of the Chateau recently donated to the Friends. Enjoy viewing vintage photographs and samples of the Chateau’s collection of historic Monterey Furniture. We will be featuring a collection of Southern Oregon wines and delicious hearty appetizers.

Learn about the Oregon Caves and Chateau and the Friends‘ ongoing campaign to restore the Chateau to its original glory. Find old friends and meet new ones! If you visited the monument as a kid (or as a big kid), if you worked at the Monument, if you are a Grants Pass Caveman or Cave Junction Cougar, or if you have historical ties to the Monument, we would love it if you could bring any photos, stories, or memorabilia to share with us!

Tickets are $25 if you buy your ticket online before April 15 – $30 after April 15 or at the door.
All proceeds from this event will benefit the Friends of the Oregon Caves and Chateau. The Friends of the Oregon Caves and Chateau, was formed in 2008 in cooperation with the National Park Service to preserve, protect and improve the cultural and natural resources of the monument.

Special thanks to our generous sponsor, the Oregon Historical Society.

If you have questions, please email Sue@FriendsOCAC.org or phone 541-944-1139.

Click to read about the event! Already have the details? Buy your discounted ticket online before April 10th.

Click to read more about the Friends, Donate Now through the Network for Good!, or read about the Membership Drive

Evergreen-Window-7th-Street

Evergreen-Window-6th-Street

Well, the Monument hasn’t really gone anywhere. What has happened though, is that Evergreen Bank has set up some really cool display windows at their main downtown branch in Grants Pass. The windows face out onto 6th and 7th streets, and each showcases an aspect of the Monument. One depicts a room at the Chateau and features Monterey Furniture and Pendleton woolens, and the other displays memorabilia of the cave’s discovery and its long history.

The windows will be on display until March 9th, so stop on by soon! For those of you out of town, we’ve taken some photos for you to check out!

Thanks for virtually stopping by!

Sorting-and-Stuffing--Chas-Davis-Dec.-2011

Sorting-and-Stuffing-Illinois-Valley-Dec.-2011

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The Friends recently sent out over 10,000 mailed newsletters! Our fleet of tireless volunteers is the only thing that made this huge undertaking of folding, stuffing, closing, and stamping possible. Thank you so much!