Do you have a digital project you'd like help with? An idea you'd like to talk through? Or do you have a project that's stuck in a planning or implementation state? Join the staff of the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University for an un-conference-like session where participants can work through the issues of starting and completing real-world technology projects and "Web 2.0" initiatives together.
Digital-JumpStart is based on the notion that members of our community should capitalize on the wisdom of the crowd and our collective experience with free and open source technologies, agile development, and tricky institutional relationships. This is not about experts and novices. It is about building a community of practice that allows for sharing and innovation. These sessions will be most useful for those thinking about online exhibitions, mobile content delivery, collecting stories or photographs from different audiences, or creating a digital archive. We expect to engage a wide range of participants representing small to medium sized institutions, those new to museum technology work, and seasoned professionals willing to share their expertise and insight with the rest of the community
Digital-JumpStart will be meeting in Portland on Thursday 3/11/10 at 8:00 a.m. and will continue our conversations afterwards via the Digital-JumpStart wiki. Digital-JumpStart is open to everyone. No prior registration or pre-conference work is required.
We look forward to seeing you in Portland!
Tom Scheinfeldt, Sharon Leon, and Sheila Brennan
Monday, March 8, 2010
Vintage Roadside Tour Stop #6 - St. Johns 1939 Signal Gas Station
One of the most unique pizza places we've found in Portland is located in a beautifully restored 1939 Signal Gas Station.
Developer and historic building contractor Rob Phillips restored the building in 2003 with the help of an original 1930s Signal Gas Company specification book so all the period details are in place.
The Signal Gas Station, with its abundance of recreated neon, original Art Deco tower, and refurbished gas pumps, has become a landmark must-see in St. Johns, a Portland neighborhood north of the city center.
Helpful Details
Signal Station Pizza
8302 N Lombard St
(503) 286-2257
Monday - Thursday ~ 11:00 am until 9:00 pm
Friday - Saturday ~ 11:00 am until 9:30 pm
Sunday - 12:00 pm until 8:00 pm
Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside
Developer and historic building contractor Rob Phillips restored the building in 2003 with the help of an original 1930s Signal Gas Company specification book so all the period details are in place.
The Signal Gas Station, with its abundance of recreated neon, original Art Deco tower, and refurbished gas pumps, has become a landmark must-see in St. Johns, a Portland neighborhood north of the city center.
Helpful Details
Signal Station Pizza
8302 N Lombard St
(503) 286-2257
Monday - Thursday ~ 11:00 am until 9:00 pm
Friday - Saturday ~ 11:00 am until 9:30 pm
Sunday - 12:00 pm until 8:00 pm
Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside
Voodoo Donut
As the conference quickly approaches, I am doing a little research on nearby attractions I would like to check out whenever I have a moment to leave the Hilton and explore Portland. The first on my list is Voodoo Donut, which is famous for its unique pastries. Some include the Dirty Snowball, Maple Bacon Donut, and The Memphis Mafia. They even have a collection of vegan donuts. At just 95 cents and up, who could pass up the experience?
Courtesy of Flickr User WonderMike
Courtesy of Flickr User WonderMike
Courtesy of John Dichtl
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Pre-Conference Event: Environmental History Forum
March 9, 6:30 p.m.
Portland State University, Smith Memorial Student Union
Room 238
A discussion of new issues and directions in environmental history with major national scholars in the field. Participants will include:
William Cronon (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Author of Changes in the Land; Nature’s Metropolis; Uncommon Ground
Cronon studies American environmental history and the history of the American West. His research seeks to understand the history of human interactions with the natural world: how we depend on the ecosystems around us to sustain our material lives, how we modify the landscapes in which we live and work, and how our ideas of nature shape our relationships with the world around us.
Nancy Langston (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Author of Forest Dreams, Forest Nightmares; Where Land and Water Meet; Toxic Bodies
James Feldman (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh), Author of Storied Wilderness
Moderated by Professor William Lang, Department of History at Portland State University and editor of the Oregon Encyclopedia Project.
Portland State University, Smith Memorial Student Union
Room 238
A discussion of new issues and directions in environmental history with major national scholars in the field. Participants will include:
William Cronon (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Author of Changes in the Land; Nature’s Metropolis; Uncommon Ground
Cronon studies American environmental history and the history of the American West. His research seeks to understand the history of human interactions with the natural world: how we depend on the ecosystems around us to sustain our material lives, how we modify the landscapes in which we live and work, and how our ideas of nature shape our relationships with the world around us.
Nancy Langston (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Author of Forest Dreams, Forest Nightmares; Where Land and Water Meet; Toxic Bodies
James Feldman (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh), Author of Storied Wilderness
Moderated by Professor William Lang, Department of History at Portland State University and editor of the Oregon Encyclopedia Project.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Vintage Roadside Tour Stop #5 - Fairley's Pharmacy
The first time we saw Fairley's Pharmacy on NE Sandy we screeched to a halt, parked as quickly as we could, and ran across the street.
Luckily, we missed traffic, or rather, traffic missed us. Unluckily, we had arrived after Fairley's had closed for the day. Returning another day, we're glad to report that Fairley's delivered on the promise of its exterior.
Locally owned and operated since 1913, Fairley's Pharmacy is home to a beautiful small soda fountain complete with swivel counter stools.
We haven't tried one of their phosphate sodas yet, but we can attest to the delight that is a Fairley's chocolate malt. We chose the vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup option over straight chocolate ice cream - deliciously malty!
A little further afield than some of the other stops on our tour of vintage Portland, we recommend a trip by car to enjoy a little old school Portland. For those firmly planted in the new school, you'll find free wi-fi in addition to a range of espresso drinks.
Fairley's Pharmacy today
Fairley's Pharmacy 1940. Photo courtesy of City of Portland archives
Helpful Details
7206 NE Sandy Blvd
(503) 284-1159
Fairley's Pharmacy Hours
Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday Closed
How to Get There
We recommend this trip by car. Our favorite way to get to Fairley's from downtown Portland is not the quickest, but you will get to drive the length of Sandy Blvd - lots of vintage Portland to see if you're looking closely!
Google map here
From the downtown Hilton at 921 SW 6th Ave
1. Head north on SW 6th Ave toward SW Taylor St - 0.4 mi
2. Turn right at W Burnside St - 1.1 mi
3. Continue onto NE Sandy Blvd - 3.6 mi
Fairley's Pharmacy at 7206 NE Sandy Blvd will be on the right.
If you do happen to try a phosphate, be sure and let us know what you think!
Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside
Luckily, we missed traffic, or rather, traffic missed us. Unluckily, we had arrived after Fairley's had closed for the day. Returning another day, we're glad to report that Fairley's delivered on the promise of its exterior.
Locally owned and operated since 1913, Fairley's Pharmacy is home to a beautiful small soda fountain complete with swivel counter stools.
We haven't tried one of their phosphate sodas yet, but we can attest to the delight that is a Fairley's chocolate malt. We chose the vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup option over straight chocolate ice cream - deliciously malty!
A little further afield than some of the other stops on our tour of vintage Portland, we recommend a trip by car to enjoy a little old school Portland. For those firmly planted in the new school, you'll find free wi-fi in addition to a range of espresso drinks.
Fairley's Pharmacy today
Fairley's Pharmacy 1940. Photo courtesy of City of Portland archives
Helpful Details
7206 NE Sandy Blvd
(503) 284-1159
Fairley's Pharmacy Hours
Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday Closed
How to Get There
We recommend this trip by car. Our favorite way to get to Fairley's from downtown Portland is not the quickest, but you will get to drive the length of Sandy Blvd - lots of vintage Portland to see if you're looking closely!
Google map here
From the downtown Hilton at 921 SW 6th Ave
1. Head north on SW 6th Ave toward SW Taylor St - 0.4 mi
2. Turn right at W Burnside St - 1.1 mi
3. Continue onto NE Sandy Blvd - 3.6 mi
Fairley's Pharmacy at 7206 NE Sandy Blvd will be on the right.
If you do happen to try a phosphate, be sure and let us know what you think!
Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Update on ASEH conference events and happenings
ASEH Plenary Session on Klamath River Dam Removal
"Dam removal is sexy, it's interesting . . .But this is really a lesson in how to move through complex problems." -James Honey, program director of Sustainable Northwest, on Klamath Basin Agreements... ASEH's plenary session is especially timely this year. Officials from two states and more than 30 stakeholder organizations met in Salem, Oregon two weeks ago to sign the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the Klamath Basin Hydroelectric Agreement. Join us Thursday evening to hear an analysis from ASEH scholars and several stakeholders who attended the signing of this historic agreement. Thursday, March 11/Pavilion Ballroom, 5:30 pm/Free event for conference attendees.
Dine-Around on Diversity Issues
Thursday, March 11 – meet in hotel lobby at 7:15 pm. After ASEH’s plenary session on Thursday, ASEH Diversity Committee Chair Bill Tsutsui will lead a dinner discussion on diversity issues. Sign up for this Dine Around at the conference registration desk and meet Bill Tsutsui in the hotel lobby at 7:15 pm. The group will walk together to Mother’s Restaurant.
Film : “River of Renewal” on the Klamath Basin, Friday, March 12, Grand Ballroom II, 7:00 pm. Free event for conference attendees
"Dam removal is sexy, it's interesting . . .But this is really a lesson in how to move through complex problems." -James Honey, program director of Sustainable Northwest, on Klamath Basin Agreements... ASEH's plenary session is especially timely this year. Officials from two states and more than 30 stakeholder organizations met in Salem, Oregon two weeks ago to sign the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the Klamath Basin Hydroelectric Agreement. Join us Thursday evening to hear an analysis from ASEH scholars and several stakeholders who attended the signing of this historic agreement. Thursday, March 11/Pavilion Ballroom, 5:30 pm/Free event for conference attendees.
Dine-Around on Diversity Issues
Thursday, March 11 – meet in hotel lobby at 7:15 pm. After ASEH’s plenary session on Thursday, ASEH Diversity Committee Chair Bill Tsutsui will lead a dinner discussion on diversity issues. Sign up for this Dine Around at the conference registration desk and meet Bill Tsutsui in the hotel lobby at 7:15 pm. The group will walk together to Mother’s Restaurant.
Film : “River of Renewal” on the Klamath Basin, Friday, March 12, Grand Ballroom II, 7:00 pm. Free event for conference attendees
Monday, March 1, 2010
Vintage Roadside Tour Stop #4 - Interstate Avenue Neon
Once the main highway between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, Interstate Avenue was lined with mom and pop motels, restaurants, and gas stations - many lit with neon.
Interstate Avenue would never be the same after the opening of I-5 on December 2, 1964. Located just west of Interstate, I-5 became the corridor of choice for travelers who had patronized Interstate's businesses, leaving many of the mom and pops without the customers they relied on.
With such a drastic change in traffic flow and loss of business, you might think that all of the neon along Interstate would have been lost to time and decay. Although many vintage signs have been demolished, replaced, or taken down over the past five decades (including one ongoing preservation project, the Crown Motel sign), we're happy to say a nice cluster can still be found along the old highway.
Working our way south to north, here's a fun look at some of the neon sights we're fortunate to still enjoy along Interstate Avenue.
Palms Motel
3801 N Interstate Ave
The Alibi
4024 N Interstate Ave
Westerner Motel
4333 N Interstate Ave
Viking Motel
6701 N Interstate Ave
Additional good news: In 2008, the North Interstate Corridor Plan, was adopted by Portland's city council. The Plan included a provision which "establishes the city's first neighborhood-based neon district that encourages the preservation of existing 1950s era neon signs while providing flexibility for new signage." We don't know yet what this means for the future of neon along Interstate, but we're hoping for the best - preservation of existing signage.
If you'd like to learn more about the history of North Interstate Avenue or you enjoy vintage photos, we highly recommend this excellent and well-researched blog by Dan Haneckow at Cafe Unknown. "Illuminating Interstate."
Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside
Interstate Avenue would never be the same after the opening of I-5 on December 2, 1964. Located just west of Interstate, I-5 became the corridor of choice for travelers who had patronized Interstate's businesses, leaving many of the mom and pops without the customers they relied on.
With such a drastic change in traffic flow and loss of business, you might think that all of the neon along Interstate would have been lost to time and decay. Although many vintage signs have been demolished, replaced, or taken down over the past five decades (including one ongoing preservation project, the Crown Motel sign), we're happy to say a nice cluster can still be found along the old highway.
Working our way south to north, here's a fun look at some of the neon sights we're fortunate to still enjoy along Interstate Avenue.
Palms Motel
3801 N Interstate Ave
The Alibi
4024 N Interstate Ave
Westerner Motel
4333 N Interstate Ave
Viking Motel
6701 N Interstate Ave
Additional good news: In 2008, the North Interstate Corridor Plan, was adopted by Portland's city council. The Plan included a provision which "establishes the city's first neighborhood-based neon district that encourages the preservation of existing 1950s era neon signs while providing flexibility for new signage." We don't know yet what this means for the future of neon along Interstate, but we're hoping for the best - preservation of existing signage.
If you'd like to learn more about the history of North Interstate Avenue or you enjoy vintage photos, we highly recommend this excellent and well-researched blog by Dan Haneckow at Cafe Unknown. "Illuminating Interstate."
Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside
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