SPRINGFIELD – Butter churning, grain grinding, sewing, puppet making, games and songs, washing clothes, gardening, herbal walks, and trading with a fur trapper are just a few of the activities that Singing Creek Education Center offers to kids through its living history educational programs.
With a focus on Oregon history and nature appreciation, “We talk about the native, Indigenous peoples, the fur trappers and traders that came through this area, and about the Pioneer settlers,” said Karen Rainsong, founding executive director.
SCEC has been mobile for around three years now, traveling to various locations for programs and classes, and partnering with local organizations, such as museums, for events. Previously, the most recent establishment that housed SCEC was in Cottage Grove in the historic Snapp House.
The organization recently celebrated its 10th anniversary as a nonprofit, and what better way to celebrate than with a new, permanent home?
In Springfield, Willamalane’s Dorris Ranch is home to the Living History Village, a site that preserves the cultural heritage of the people who once lived and worked on the Ranch.
According to Whitney Hoshaw, marketing and communication manager at Willamalane, this spring, Willamalane’s Living History program concluded. She said that, when it isn’t sustainable for Willamalane to staff a program, the district looks for partnerships to fill the gaps.
On Tuesday, Sept 23, Rainsong signed the contract to take over the Living History programs and will now host a program similar to Willamalane’s Living History tours at Dorris Ranch.
A soft opening is planned for this fall, with the intention for SCEC to rent the space from March 1 through Oct. 31 each year.
“We’re really excited, because when I ran the Living History Programs at Dorris Ranch 20 years ago, that was before they built that village, so I didn’t get an opportunity to work with it,” Rainsong said. “And now we’re going there and taking over, so I’ll get a chance to work at the Living History Village, which is really exciting to me. …I think this will be our final home.”
Rainsong had initially reached out to Willamalane, asking to tour the Living History Village during a conference SCEC is hosting for living history professionals.
At that time, Willamalane published a request seeking partners to offer educational and culture-based programming in the Living History Village at Dorris Ranch. Singing Creek Education Center submitted its proposal.
“Now, it turns out we’re going to be renting it, so we’re going to be doing a grand opening celebration for us in the space, as well as the opening of the conference concurrently,” she said.
The opening celebration and blessing took place on Sept. 26, where Dietrich Peters performed a sage smudging, offered blessings, provided land acknowledgments, and delivered opening prayers to kick off the conference.
“With Singing Creek’s new offerings, Willamalane is thrilled to see educational and culture-based programming at Dorris Ranch continue,” Hoshaw said.
“It feels like a homecoming, but it also feels like it was meant to be. It fits perfectly with our needs,” said Rainsong. “They’ve got those beautiful historical buildings that they’ve taken such good care of. The park is lovely. It’s right by the river. There’s so many amenities, and we’ve needed that for a long time, so we’re just thrilled.”
As part of the agreement, Hoshaw said that Willamalane will provide access to designated spaces, trails, and supplies for the Singing Creek Education Center to use at Dorris Ranch, enabling them to offer programming to the community. The district will help transition inquirers looking for programs similar to Willamalane’s Living History program to this new partner. Singing Creek Education Center will run all curriculum and program delivery.
“We’re going to be offering lots of history field trips in the spring to all the local teachers and classrooms, and they are typically booked solid every day for the entire spring,” Rainsong said. “We’re hoping to continue that, with very similar history field trips to what the teachers are used to. After all, I designed some of these programs 20 years ago. I’m like returning home to do them again,” she said.
Rainsong said they’ve updated and modernized the way history is presented.
“Some of our programs will be more nature-focused as well,” she said. “We’re working with a local woman who is an instructor for us who does a lot of outdoor nature classes, survival skills, and shelter building. We’re going to be definitely offering, as an adjunct, some nature programming,” said Rainsong.
“We’re really thrilled. This is basically going to mean that we’re doubling our operations, so we’re getting a huge new influx of field trips, and with this location, we can offer more summer camps,” she said.
“Partnerships like these help broaden the scope and variety of recreation options for people in Springfield. Willamalane is grateful to find a partner who is willing and able to offer these programs and in the process, care for a beloved space at Dorris Ranch,” Hoshaw said.
SCEC is always looking for volunteers, whether for events or board service. Contact Karen Rainsong for SCEC inquiries at 541-968-1986 or visit their website at singingcreekcenter.org.
