The Cities of Oregon City and West Linn are working with public and private-sector partners to explore what a National Heritage Area designation for the local stretch of the Willamette River means to this region. 

A broad coalition of local partners including both cities, Clackamas County, the Grand Ronde, and several nonprofit organizations and private sector companies have been collaborating together over the last five years to explore what a National Heritage Area designation would mean if applied to the area along the Willamette River between the mouths of the Tualatin and Clackamas Rivers. 

"The Willamette Falls Heritage Area Coalition is an effort to gather local stakeholders together in order to share our local story with a national audience," said Lloyd Purdy, member of the WFHAC, and Executive Director of Main Street Oregon City."

According to Coalition founder and co-chair, Alice Norris (former mayor of Oregon City), the Coalition’s strength is in its collaborative nature. "The Coalition is a true partnerships of local governments, nonprofits, and private companies who share a passion for the Willamette Falls and its stories," she said.

West Linn City Council President and Coalition co-chair, Jody Carson, added that she likes the way that everyone is working together to celebrate the heritage of the entire area. "The stories of the Willamette Falls are a significant part of America’s national history, but we need to get better telling these stories," she said.

The Willamette Falls Heritage Area Coalition will host a public meeting on June 21 at the Museum of the Oregon Territory, 211 Tumwater Drive, Oregon City OR; in order to meet with area residents and business owners. A business-oriented meeting will be held at 8:00am; a more residentially focused meeting will begin at 7:00pm. Details can be found via www.wfheritage.org/events.html.

The Willamette Falls Heritage Area Coalition is a local public/private partnership working to gain National Heritage Area status for one of our greatest resources — our river, our falls and our story. 

National Heritage Areas are places around the country where natural, cultural, and scenic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography. Congress designates national Heritage Areas and the National Park Service provides technical and limited financial assistance.

Stakeholders interested in joining in the discussion on June 21st, are encouraged to RSVP to: info@wfheritage.org.

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For further details contact:

Brian Scott, 1-503-318-9474 or Lloyd Purdy, 503-522-2564