Southern Oregon Historical Society Museum Plan

The Southern Oregon Historical Society (SOHS) was founded in 1946 by individuals who believed that a repository of local history was an essential component in their community. They wanted to honor those that had come before them and create a strong educational and research institution for generations to come.

Part of their vision included establishing a museum.  In the process they rescued the historic 1883 Jackson County Courthouse which had fallen into disrepair after the railroad bypassed Jacksonville and the county seat was moved to Medford.  An initial collection of pioneer mementos has since grown to be the second largest historical collection in the State with over 1,000,000 artifacts, documents, photographs, and historic properties that the Society holds in trust.  The Society’s research, publications, interpretive and educational programs provide a lens through which the public can examine the lives and livelihoods of generations.

Although SOHS’s Jacksonville Museum closed in 2010, the Society is developing plans for establishing a new museum with both real and virtual elements that incorporate our ever-evolving world and technology, continuing to offer all people, regardless of their origin, wealth, or education, a vantage point for examining the human condition.

Event Center 1
Event Center 3

Streamline Modern is an international style of Art Deco architecture and design that emerged in the 1930s. It was inspired by aerodynamic design. Streamline architecture emphasized curving forms, long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements. In industrial design, it was used in railroad locomotives, telephones, toasters, buses, appliances, and other devices to give the impression of sleekness and modernity.

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE (deferred maintenance)
New Roof$300,000
Clean/Paint Building$57,000
HVAC Replacement$95,000
Plumbing$60,000
BUILDING INTERIOR
Audio/Video/Broadband$80,000
Carpeting/Furnishings/Walls$550,000
EVENT CENTER LAUNCH COSTS$50,000
FEES$50,000
TOTAL$1,247,000