COTTAGE GROVE – Matthew Hewlett took on a role that no one else stepped up to fill. He is keeping a long-time tradition alive and has turned a once-a-year summer festival into a year-round heritage hub.
Hewlett became the executive director of Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days in 2024. In addition to coordinating the annual festival at Coiner Park in mid-July, he also connects the community to the town’s local history through education, media, living history, and hands-on experiences.
This month, he told the city council that around 25,000 people attended the 66th annual event, more than double the town’s population. The park held 90 vendors and 16 live music acts.
Hewlett presented an award to the city council as a thank you for their support. The award is inspired by a gold-painted lead ingot gifted by local philanthropist Casey Woodard, which belonged to Walter Woodard in the 1970s. It also includes a certificate received from Debra Monsive of the Cottage Grove Genealogical Society, highlighting the Sunrise Mining Company.
