Newberg Historic Signage Program: Preserving History

By: Mckenna Lloyd

The Newberg Area Historical Society (NAHS) completed the first phase of the Newberg Historic Signage Program on Dec. 17, 2019, erecting six engraved signs throughout downtown Newberg. The NAHS is now in phase two and hopes to continue expanding historic awareness in Newberg with more signs.

The Historic Signage Program focuses on creating signage throughout the downtown area to promote awareness of "the unique history of Newberg." Britta Stewart is the current president of the NAHS and explained that the signage program aligns with the NAHS's mission. "I think the goal [of the Historic Signage Program] ... is the vision of our organization, which is to preserve, promote, and present history," said Stewart.

Red Electric, Newberg had access to a train since the 1880s. This photo was taken on First Street. Photo courtesy: The Newberg Area Historical Society

The signs are a way for the NAHS to make a positive impact on the downtown area while also preserving local history. Rachel Thomas, George Fox University (GFU) archivist and former NAHS president, said that one of her first goals as president was to prove that the NAHS could complete a project. Thomas became president in 2017 and served in the role until recently. However, she remains involved in the organization and the historic signage program. In order to make the NAHS more visible, Thomas said the organization needed to prove it could "take a project from start to end—fundraising, doing a quality job."

"Signage was something that had been a dream of the organization for a long time," said Thomas. The NAHS had made some preliminary plans for putting up signs in Newberg, but it was Thomas who took the initiative to kick-start the project. She talked to some previous historical society members and used some of their research. Then Thomas and the NAHS board checked out the Silverton, Oregon signage program for inspiration. "Our board really loved their ideas and said, 'Can we basically steal your project?' And they said 'Go for it,'" said Thomas. The Silverton Historical Society had installed their signage project as pedestals with historic photos facing the scene they pictured. This way onlookers could compare the historic building with its contemporary condition.

Newberg’s six historic signs were installed just like Silverton's signs. They are pedestals with information and photos facing the building they highlight. The six signs look at the history of Chapters Bookstore, City Hall, the Cameo Theater, Chehalem Cultural Center, Newberg Public Library, and First Street and the Red Electric train.

Morris, Miles, and Co. Drygoods Store, now Chapters Books and Coffee. Photo courtesy: The NAHS

Citizens walking around downtown Newberg can learn about Newberg as it was when the first residents moved in the 1880s and how it has changed since then, thanks to the engraved podiums on the sidewalks.

"People came in the 1880s with a pretty specific vision of what they wanted to see here and I want to be able to show people the story of how that vision has evolved over time and largely come to fruition," said Stewart, "When you look at especially mid-twentieth century Newberg it had everything people needed to sustain life here, which is really cool."

The signs are a way of showcasing the dynamic history of the town. "The history of this community is really unique. Newberg has a lot of strange things like the first self-cleaning house and we have a lot of things that were invented here in town," said Thomas.

Creating the signs was a team effort. In phase one, the NAHS did the research for each sign that was put up but also cooperated with the city of Newberg. Barbara Doyle and Chuck Zickefoose were responsible for the research for the six initial signs in the downtown area. Both are members of the NAHS. The bases of the signs were created by students in a Newberg High School welding class and the tops were designed by Art Department adjunct professor Brandon Waybright. After the NAHS developed, paid for, and installed the signs, they were given to the city of Newberg as a gift. The city is now responsible for the signs' maintenance.

For phase two of the project, the NAHS is doing things differently. Instead of collaborating with the city, the organization is partnering with private businesses in town. The new signs will be located directly on the outsides of the buildings and will be gifted to the private businesses to be maintained after purchase and installation.

Phase two should be complete by the end of this year and will include at least three more sign installations. The new signs will feature the building that was once located at Francis Square, the Brown, Tarlow, Bridges, and Palmer Law Firm building, and Social Goods.

Stewart, Thomas, and the NAHS see the historic signage program as a way to make history more accessible and visible in the lives of Newbergundians. "Overall the goal is to get people to know and engage with the history of the town and this is kind of a fun way to do it," said Stewart. The signs are now a part of the downtown landscape to be enjoyed by all. "Generally we've had a very good response from people; they really enjoy the signs," said Thomas.

Thomas explained that the organization also hopes that the signs will build community and make a difference in the suicide epidemic at the high school the NAHS witnessed at the start of the project. "When you have a deep appreciation for the roots of your community and what's happened there over time you can tie yourself into something more than yourself, that helps. And we feel that history is one way to see that."

The NAHS's website includes a map of the signs that are all within walking distance of the GFU campus. These signs are a simple way to learn about the larger Newberg community and its rich history.