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Commission hears Founders Day living-history proposal, seeks letters for fast-turnaround cultural grant
Summary
A commissioner outlined a Founders Day living-history concept tied to Estacada's 1905 history and asked for letters of support for a small cultural grant due in mid-April; commissioners also recorded a separate request for a letter supporting a parks master-plan grant due May 1.
Commissioners heard a detailed proposal to pilot a Founders Day living-history element tied to Estacada’s early-20th-century history and to seek small grants to seed the project.
A commissioner outlined a multi-part plan that could begin modestly as part of the Fourth of July parade and expand over time: living-history actors portraying 1905-era civic roles, a 1905-style schoolhouse demonstration, a fashion/dress element and music/dance programming (period dances and fiddlers). The proponent said Philip Foster Farm representatives had expressed interest in collaborating and that local groups could supply artifacts, benches and volunteer actors for low-cost presentations. The presenter also described locating historical items that once belonged to a local museum and pursuing a “time capsule” and community submissions for a downtown display.
Because of the project’s historical focus, the presenter said she planned to apply to a culture-focused grant (a county-level cultural coalition grant) with a fast deadline; she asked commissioners and other city divisions to supply letters of support. The presenter said the grant request would be for up to $5,000 and had an application deadline of April 17 (a short window). Commissioners offered to draft and sign letters of support and asked staff to route any required sign-offs (for example, from parks or downtown commissions). Commissioners also encouraged outreach to local partners (schools, Philip Foster Farm, downtown businesses, and long-established local companies) to help staff the event and to locate artifacts.
Separately at the end of the meeting, staff circulated and signed a request for a letter of support for a city parks master-plan grant via a local government grant program; that grant application has a May 1 deadline and staff asked for a signature now so the city could meet the deadline.
No formal grant award or city appropriation was made at the meeting; commissioners agreed to write letters of support and to consider creating an ad hoc committee if the project moves forward. The commission noted the project could be scaled (small participation in Year 1) and may require broader cross-commission coordination if expanded in future years.
