What's Happening
English Settlement Schoolhouse Update
This fall, the schoolhouse was lifted 5 feet in the air and a new foundation was installed, in addition to shoring up the bottom beams and floor. Please see our facebook page for more photos.
We had received $5,000 in grant money from the Kinsman Foundation. These monies were added to the $15,000 grant from the C. Giles Hunt Charitable Trust and $500 from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation. This brought our grant monies received to $20,500. We are in the process of requesting more grant money to continue work on the Schoolhouse Restoration.
Next is to re-roof the structure and replace the missing portion of the chimney. This will be followed by cleaning and restoring the inside walls, floors, windows and doors. A restroom and parking area will be the last items needed.
Schoolhouse with new foundation and ready for winter
Preliminary Schoolhouse Renovation Plans
Click here to see the preliminary Schoolhouse Renovation Plans from Tom Rodgers - Engineer from Roseburg.
Dairy Barn Update
Sadly, the Dairy Barn has been pulled to the ground in September 2011 by Douglas County. The metal roof was collected and recycled. Some wood has been salvaged but the rest was burned by the county. The park Director, Jim Dowd had taken the photos of exterior and interior for reference and historical purposes.
Nature Trail
The additional mile or so of trail has been cleared on the 40 acres on the other side of Elkhead Road (and yes, it is part of Mildred's park). New signs to direct people to the trails have been installed by Volunteers from Umpqua Hiking Club. This trail will be for hikers/walkers only. No horses.
Installed Summer 2011: Benches on the nature trail and at the top of the hiking trail, in memory of Richard Sommer, who loved nature. Thanks to Friends of the Umpqua Hiking Club, Ray Jensen, John Mallone and the Wolf Creek Job Corps.
New Permanent Historical Signs for Day Use Area
Work has begun on creating new permanent signs for historical buildings in the day use area. Stay tuned for more info.
Plans to revive Apple Orchard Started
Celia Scott is heading a project to work with Gregory Flick to clone the old trees in the apple orchard in the day use area. Stay tuned for more info on grafting clinics and progress! Young heritage apple trees have been obtained for planting in the fall. They are the following kinds: Star King, Yellow Transparent, Winesap, Bladwin and Pippin.
Adopt -a-Highway
Working with Douglas County Dept. of Public Works Adopt-a-Highway Program Elkhead Road along the park is earmarked for litter clean-up. Jim Long, and his daughter Rita Prothero (of Tempa, Temporary Assistance of Sutherlin) have stepped up as project leaders. Stay tuned for periodic litter pick up dates.
Pioneer Gravesites located
We believe that, possibly, two pioneer women and 3 children were buried on the hill across the creek north of the Underwood barn. When Mildred purchased the land she took her cat and bulldozed the grave area, obliterating the evidence, "because she didn't want people snooping around on her property." Mildred had asked that the markers be restored after she died.
The location of the historic gravesite could not have been accomplished without the generous help of the Douglas County Chapter of The Gold Prospectors Association of America. Five members from the organization conducted a through search of the area using metal detectors. They concluded that this was undoubtedly the location of the burial site. Members conducting the search were Gary Sturgill, Chapter President, Carl Stone, Gary Grass, Michael W. Taylor and Robert L. Pace.
The Friends would like to express our thanks to these individuals for their time and efforts, in helping solve one part of the mystery surrounding this burial site. Further investigation to confirm these findings will require the use of Ground Penetrating Radar. We will be continuing this project when the funding becomes available. Anyone interested in continuing with this project (creating fencing and signs) please contact any board member.
Mildred's Trail Dash
Planning for 2012 Trail Dash are under way.
Mark your calendars - Saturday July 7th.
Donations and t-shirt sponsors are being sought. Please visit Mildred's Trail Dash Page.
Become a Schoolhouse Restoration Committee Member
The Friends of Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park and The English Settlement School Restoration Committee, in preparation for the planning portion of the restoration project, are seeking individuals to serve on the restoration committee or the evaluation team.
The important first phase of restoration is under the guidance of the Oregon State Historic Preservation Department. Their recommendation was to retain the services of a local structural engineer and / or architect for all restoration planning. It is our intention to use our first grant funds to do just that. 
We are also currently searching for interested individuals to join our Stakeholders evaluation team. This team is an important component in project funding. The evaluation team is open to members of our organization, members of any other organizations with a vested interest in the park or school, and members from the surrounding communities. Participation and meetings on either the restoration committee or the evaluation team would be as necessary. Please join us in any volunteer capacity to see this unique and worthwhile project to completion.
Work Parties!
Work party goals include:
- Construct new fence and install new gates around English Settlement School
- Prime and paint window trim on School House
- Nature Trail - planting and mulching (Assist Native Plant Society and Hiking Group)
- Clean out old hay and debris in Underwood Barn
- Clean up weeds in and around Equipment Shed
- Install bird nesting boxes
Contact any Board Member if you are intested in participating in, or organizing any of the work parties.