Benton County groups map out Historic Preservation Month events, Harding centennial and hands-on workshops

Benton County historic preservation volunteers, local government staff and nonprofit representatives met in Corvallis in a hybrid session to begin planning May’s Historic Preservation Month, focusing on a Harding School 100th‑anniversary event, regional tours and several hands‑on workshops.

The meeting, convened by Benton County liaison Inga, brought together participants from Albany, Corvallis and Adair Village to coordinate dates, themes and logistics for multiple events across the county. “Im Inga. Im the Benton County Liaison to the historic resources commission,” she said while opening the session and noting that the county staff would coordinate the calendar.

Why it matters: organizers said coordinated scheduling and shared promotion would reduce conflicts and increase attendance for smaller groups that lack marketing capacity. The coalition discussed cross‑jurisdiction partnerships so single events — such as the Harding centennial or Camp Adair activities — draw visitors from Albany and Corvallis without overlapping with other big events.

Most prominent items discussed

- Harding School centennial: Donna Keim, representing a College Hill committee, said the Harding centennial is planned…