May is National Historic Preservation Month and for Oregon communities throughout the state it’s an opportunity to reflect on significant places, artifacts, and collections that help tell the stories of our past as well as to recognize contributions that individuals and organizations make to preserve those stories and places. Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month with 27 heritage organizations on Thursday, May 26, at the 8th Annual Historic Preservation Month Fair at the State Capitol State Park in Salem, hosted by Heritage Programs, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Community organizations and several state agencies will highlight the history of their institutions and their work to preserve important sites related to historic events, persons, and places that tell the Oregon story. The event will be held from 11 am to 1 pm on the grounds of the State Capitol on the north side of Court Street, opposite the Capitol building. It is free and open to the public. On display at the event are an operating World War II M3A1 Stuart Light Tank and a Korean War Jeep. A free tour of the Capitol Building tower will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the information kiosk in the Capitol Building.
