SPRINGFIELD – The Nativity Ukrainian Church Congregation and the Lane County Monument Projects have been selected to receive the 2025 Springfield Heritage Awards. Springfield City Council awarded the recipients at its Nov. 17 meeting.
The Springfield Heritage Awards are a program to recognize stewardship of history and heritage within the community. There are two award categories, according to Jenna Fribley, Historic Commission and Museum Committee. A History Maker Award is a legacy award recognizing individuals or organizations who have had a significant impact on stewardship in the community. The Preservation Excellence Award recognizes specific projects.
The Nativity Ukrainian Church Congregation received the 2025 History Maker Award in recognition of its lasting stewardship of Ukrainian culture and heritage in the community, including initiatives such as renaming Kyiv Street and the annual Ukrainian festival.
“For decades, the parish has been the vibrant heart of the Ukrainian identity in our city, and the annual summer Ukrainian Festival brings together folk dance, music, food, and storytelling for hundreds of residents,” said Mayor Sean VanGordon. “The congregation has not only strengthened the ties among the Ukrainians in Springfield and the Lane County region, but also has enriched the city’s collective heritage by advancing cultural literacy, inclusion, and placemaking,” he said.
The Lane County Monument Projects was honored with the 2025 Springfield Heritage Award for Preservation Excellence for its innovative work in documenting, interpreting, and preserving the stories behind Lane County’s public monuments and art. It is a cooperative project by Lane County History Museum, Springfield History Museum, and Willamalane.
The digital storytelling initiative has made local heritage accessible by compiling 19 historic narratives and exploring the meanings, origins, and evolution of significant sites across the county. Some sights in Springfield include the Equestrian Statue, the Lioness Statue, Jesse Maine Memorial Park, and the Willamette Heights Obelisk.
“The project invites residents to reflect on how these monuments shape our identity and understanding of our local history,” VanGordon said. “By blending research, community reflection, and storytelling, the Lane County Monuments Project exemplifies the spirit of preservation excellence, ensuring that diverse areas of Springfield and Lane County continue to inform and inspire generations to come.”
Jen Marsh, who participated on the project from the Willamalane side said, “The goal of this collaborative project was to document and record historical monuments in Lane County, which included everything from open spaces to statues,” she said. “The history of our region is for all of us, and I’m proud to help preserve it and ensure it’s accessible for all.”
Award recipients from last year include Seth San Filippo, owner of Urban Lumber Company, for his dedication to transforming Springfield’s historic trees into heirloom-quality furnishings and revitalizing the Booth Kelly Mill as a creative hub.
