ENJOY A VICARIOUS VISIT TO OREGON STATE PARKS!

How many of Oregon’s State Parks have you visited? Hiked? Camped at? Oregon is fortunate to have a wealth of state parks that provide multiple recreational opportunities while showcasing the state’s diverse beauty and geology. For 100 years, Oregon State Parks have provided spaces for both recreation and enjoyment. To celebrate the 2022 Centennial of the State Parks system, the Oregon Historical Society commissioned a photo survey by noted photographer Peter Marbach.  
 
The Southern Oregon Historical Society will be sharing an actual and virtual exhibit and presentation of Marbach’s “A Century of Wonder: 100 Years of Oregon State Parks” on Thursday, March 9th, at the SOHS History Center located at 106 N. Central in Medford. Lobby doors will open at 5:30 for guests to enjoy a display of selected images, then join Marbach in the gallery for an audiovisual tour of the numerous ways that Oregon State Parks have preserved natural and historic sites for Oregonians and visitors to appreciate for many years to come. The event is free, and light refreshments will be served.
 
Marbach will be introduced by retired U.S. Forest Service archeologist and historian, Jeff LaLande, who will provide a brief history of some of the State Parks found in Southern Oregon.  
 
Peter Marbach’s distinguished career spans three decades creating evocative landscapes of unspeakable beauty. He has authored several coffee-table books and has numerous regional and national publication credits. His 2019 book, “Healing the Big River – Salmon Dreams and the Columbia River Treaty,” continues to educate the public about the importance of modernizing the Columbia River Treaty.
 
Marbach’s work has evolved over the years to pursue projects that contribute to the community at large, from working with tribes and first nations in their quest to restore salmon runs on the Columbia, or his volunteer work in Nepal supporting individual educational advancement for women. His projects have been featured on Oregon Field Guide, OPB’s Think Out Loud, and recently on KGW’s Grant’s Getaways.