Word on whether the 144 acre Oregon State Hospital campus has been accepted to the National Register of Historic Places should be arriving soon. The Keeper of the National Register in Washington D.C. will report that decision to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Since no questions or concerns have come from the National Register office, we anticipate the nomination approval will arrive at the SHPO office in two weeks or less.

While official designation does not guarantee the historic buildings will be saved, it does require involvement from SHPO, the City of Salem’s Historic Landmarks commission, and possibly a Federal agency.

We are still waiting to learn where the “foot print” of the new hospital will be located and how that will impact those structures on the south side of Center Street-mainly the “J” building.

Linda Hammond, Administrator of the OSH Replacement Project said the siting and schematic design of the new facility should be available in two months. If their schedule is followed, some input on the design and site may be given for a three month period. Then the design development process begins and the input period is closed. So our opportunity to voice our concerns is very limited and our timeline is very short. Therefore I am asking all of you who are interested in preservation of our historic structures on the OSH campus to submit your E-Mail address so we can contact you quickly. Your address will not be used for any other purpose. Thank You.

-Hazel Patton

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