A Twist on Local Black History
This barber pole presents a bit of a “history mystery” for us at SOHS. Originally identified simply as “Found in Collections” in 1988, staff later determined that this pole was actually one-in-the-same with SOHS #4381, a piece from the Society’s earliest founding collections. If this is indeed SOHS #4381, then it represents a significant piece of local Black history: it is the barber’s pole that once stood outside of Elite Barbershop on Main Street in Jacksonville, where Black barber Charles Blockwell made a living from the 1860s-1870s. Blockwell’s business partner was Samuel Vose, another Black Jacksonville resident who ran an adjacent shoe shine business. Research into Blockwell and Vose’s stories is ongoing.
For more information on the history and significance of barbering in Black communities, see this resource from the Library of Congress: https://blogs.loc.gov/inside_adams/2022/02/african-americans-barbering/
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In the Research Library
This past month, SOU student Carter Bond has been hard at work in the Research Library gathering information for his senior capstone project on Black history in the Rogue Valley. Carter is working with Archivist Jan Wright and Curator Anna Sloan to access SOHS resources for his project.
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Have you ever wanted to tour the SOHS Archives? Here's your chance to be a sweetheart and help the Southern Oregon Historical Society continue to save and share our community's history!
Become a $50 or higher level SOHS member by February 14 and be part of an exclusive group tour of our Library archives - over 500,000 documents, photos, maps, magazines, newspapers, directories, film, oral histories, and more - the second largest 2-dimensional artifact collection in Oregon!
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Enjoy these fun, vintage Valentines pulled from our Collections by our Archivist.
Did you know the SOHS Research Library is open five days a week? Our current hours are 12:00 - 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Appointments aren't necessary.
You can also contact library@sohs.org, or call 541-622-2025 ext. 200 to ask questions or request research. |
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This year will be the 36th annual Children’s Heritage Fair! We are looking for someone to contact schools and get them signed up, prepare activities, and train volunteers. This is a paid, part-time position - see the details on our website.
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WINDOWS IN TIME
Sixty five years ago, Alfred and Helen Carpenter established the Carpenter Foundation. In this Windows in Time talk on Feb. 8 at the Ashland Library, Alice Mullaly and Emily Mostue will be sharing the significance of the family’s philanthropies and the importance of the foundation
DETAILS›
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We are looking for a reliable and sturdy vehicle to help us with our daily operations and projects that at SOHS Hanley Farm. A tractor that sis in good running condition, with a minimum of 75 horsepower, 4 wheel drive, PTO, 3 point front bucket, pallet forks and either a sunshade or a full cab would be a dream!
Your generosity will make a real difference in our ability to care for and maintain this historic farm.
If you're able to help with a donation like this, please email the SOHS Hanley Farm Manager.
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