FEBRUARY 21ST - IN THIS EDITION:

• May 2 - Save the date for our Annual Gala: Party for Preservation!
• City of Possibility
• Congratulations to AFO Fellows!
• March 13 - National Trust for Historic Preservation free webinar
• March walking tours: Buckman, Lair Hill, Colonial Heights, and Historic Yamhill!
• The Christine Becker Home designed by Emil Schact
• Blog: Two proposed demolitions at PSU

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Save the Date for the Party for Preservation!

The Bosco-Milligan Foundation is thrilled to announce that 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of opening our doors to preservation at the Architectural Heritage Center!

Join us to celebrate this important milestone at our upcoming Gala on Friday, May 2, from 6-9 pm at the Ecotrust Natural Capital Building.

We’ll be marking the occasion with live jazz from Bigger Nova Bossanova, accompanied by cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a special dinner catered by Vibrant Table, and our annual live auction which supports our critical education, advocacy and thought leadership work ahead.

We’d like to invite you to join us at this milestone event both as attendees and sponsors, providing a unique opportunity to align your organization with a significant cause and showcase your support for the preservation of Portland. 

This will be an event not to be missed!

Congratulations AFO Fellows

AFO's Fellowship at the Stained Glass Exhibit (Image: AFO)

Learn more about the AFO’s Fellowships.

The AHC hosted the Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) last week for their Fellowship Celebration! Attendees heard from recent Fellows and reflected on the ongoing influence of these awards. It was a great night of collaboration and celebration!

Of note was a particularly inspiring presentation by Marta Petteni (pictured center right) on her research regarding repurposing Trimet cars for Portland’s Afro-Village and other possible uses. It was also a thrill to meet Pat Sanders, sponsor of the new AFO Women’s Fellowship!

Many attendees were new to the AHC and were heard saying, “I can’t believe I’ve never been here before!” Portland’s best kept secret is out! See pictures from the event.

Thank you to the AFO and all the attendees for sharing this special night of inspiration with us and congratulations to all the fellows!

City of Possibility Exhibit

1972 downtown model of Portland, now on loan from the Bosco-Milligan Collection.

The City of Possibility offers a rare look at more than 50 architectural models, historic and contemporary, including the downtown model of Portland which will soon be on display this spring at the AHC as part of our permanent collection.

Our Executive Director, Heather Flint Chatto had a chance to reconnect with Mark Lakeman, whose father, Richard Lakeman built the model. Mark shared some important historical imagery showing that there is a missing east side section!

You can see it now through March 22nd at the Expensify Bank and JK Gill Building (401 SW 5th Ave).  Learn more.

NTHP Webinar: Creating Community with Cheap Old Houses

A Free Webinar by the National Trust for Historic Preservation:

Creating Community with Cheap Old Houses: A Conversation between NTHP President and CEO, Carol Quillen, Elizabeth Finkelstein, and Cristiana Peña

When you walk into a historic place, are you drawn to the decorative detail, exposed bricks, and wood paneling? Does talking about restoration work with friends and neighbors bring you joy?

If the answer to these questions is a resounding YES!, join an online conversation on March 13 with Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust, Elizabeth Finkelstein, creator and host of the popular HGTV series "Who’s Afraid of a Cheap Old House," and Cristiana Peña, preservationist and social media strategist for CIRCA Old Houses, as they share their love bringing these often neglected properties back to life and the role they play in creating community across the United States.

TALKS & EVENTS SPONSORED BY:

WALKING TOURS SPONSORED BY:

Christine Becker Home (Image: Dan Volkmer Team)

A Romantic House on the Corner

The Architectural Heritage Center and the Dan Volkmere team hosted special AHC donors and gave a nice look at the inside of the home on February 15th. Learn more on our blog…

North Portland Library (Image: Fred Leeson)

An 'Oops' at North Portland Library

For more than a century, the Multnomah County Library has done an admirable job maintaining and preserving three neighborhood libraries that were built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie. Learn more on Fred Leeson’s latest blog…

Blackstone Building (Image: Fred Leeson)

Any Chance of Saving Them?

Sadly, the absence of any official landmark status means that two residential buildings Portland State University plans to tear down will not have any public hearing as to whether they could be saved and refurbished. Learn more on Fred Leeson’s latest blog…

Art Nouveau Twins: A Favorite Tin Frieze Panel

Elaborate Nouveau Style, Victorian Era, sheet metal frieze panels. Being 3 feet tall and 25 inches wide the panels were likely used in a series between floor baseboards and chair rail. The panels possibly depict the Greek primordial earth goddess Gaia, wife of Uranus and mother of the Titans or Terra Mater the Roman equivalent to Gaia.

See it on display now (one of our most favorite pieces) in our main gallery.

Tin Frieze Panels

Ben Milligan and Jerry Bosco pictured with the tin frieze panels as well as some other items from their collection.

View Our Collection Online

In case you missed our big milestone: the AHC and Bosco-Milligan collection is now accessible on our website! Note: This is the beta version and we'll be refining its search capabilities in 2025.

All of this would not have been possible without our many volunteers who have helped catalog and document our collection.

View past collection featured items | View our collection online

Stop by to see our current exhibits!

• Iridescent Illuminations: Artistry in Stained Glass
• Echoes of Transition: Historic door and hardware photography by Alexandro IV Barragan
• Preserving Portland Through Local Action: Historic Preservation in the Rose City
• Refreshed: Old Friends, New Acquaintances
• Touring the Central Eastside

Exhibits graciously sponsored by:

The AHC's home at 701 SE Grand Ave

Regular Gallery Hours

Thursday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission is always free for members!

$8 admission for non-members.

The AHC is a Blue Star Museum. We offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve.

The AHC also participates in Museums for All: those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) get free admission.

Membership Benefits

AHC membership supports our year-round line-up of programs! Membership provides free or discounted admission to AHC exhibits and programs but also offers the benefit of free admission to a different institution each month.

For the month of February, AHC members can visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the Oregon Historical Society for free!

Find products, services, and information for historic homes and spaces - and those who love them! These businesses are members of the Architectural Heritage Center and support our work.

To have your business featured in the AHC's bi-monthly newsletter, contact us or visit our Business Partnership page!