Peggy Sigler (pictured) awarded Oregon Heritage Excellence Awardand Dawn Coleman recognized as the Canby Historical Society’s 2023 volunteer of the year.
CANBY, OREGON, April 9, 2024
On April 3, Oregon Heritage a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced the 2024 recipients of their bi-annual Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards. The twelve winners included individuals, organizations, and projects. Long time Canby heritage advocate Peggy Sigler was selected as one of the individual award recipients. As part of their recognition program, Oregon Heritage recognizes volunteers selected by local heritage organizations. Canby Historical Society selected Dawn Eleen Coleman as their 2023 volunteer. She is one of eighteen being recognized by the state organization.
Sigler has spent over three decades advocating for the preservation of local, county, and state historic sites. Her advocacy includes working on the Memorandum of Agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers, which enables the restoration, transition to local control, and reopening of the Willamette Falls Locks. Sigler’s work was integral to achieving National Park Service approval of the Willamette Falls and Landings National Heritage Area. Locally, Sigler was instrumental in the adoption of the city’s historic preservation ordinance and establishing the city’s Heritage and Landmark Commission. Currently she serves as the volunteer manager of the Mark Prairie Schoolhouse Restoration Project. In that role, she has raised over $350,000 in grant funding, negotiated a $400,00 insurance settlement, hired and managed contractors, and directed all procurement. Three years after the devastating ice storm, exterior restoration is complete and interior work is in-progress. Plans to reopen the site this summer are underway.
Dawn Coleman serves as the Treasurer and the media coordinator for the Canby Historical Society (CHS). This past year, she replaced the organization’s web page, established a CHS Facebook group site, “Canby Then and Now”, initiated a social media campaign, and reached an agreement with Community Advantage Magazine for inclusion of a CHS article in each edition. Additionally, Coleman has made community outreach a priority, returning the Santa Visit Program to the Depot, enrolling the CHS in the holiday street corner display programs, participating in the Kiwanis Toy Drive, and other charitable programs. As a result of her efforts, the Depot is now the home of the last 100 years of the Canby Herald.
Both women will be recognized at the 2024 Oregon Heritage Conference Award Dinner on April 18th in Hillsboro. Locally, they will be honored at the May 1 Canby City Council meeting as part of the kick-off to May Historic Preservation Program.
MEDIA CONTACT: Carol Palmer carolpalmer24@gmail.com 503.504.2638