Editor's note: This story appears in the February edition of LO Monthly.
Diving into local history, Kathryn Sinor said, helps us understand the world as it is today and glean perspectives that can make us better.
This is one reason she wanted to take on her new job as the executive director of the Oswego Heritage Council — which pours over and organizes local historical documents at the Oswego Heritage House and Museum — in Lake Oswego. Sinor replaced Erika Bauer.
“I love local histories, especially. I love the history of smaller areas that are really personal to people. It’s such a great way for us now to understand how and why we exist the way we do,” she said. “These local history institutions are a great gateway to that understanding.”
Sinor grew up “all over” including in Florida, Washington and California, and received degrees from Western Oregon University and Oregon State University. She went on to work for a number of nonprofits including the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, the Arizona Science Center and the World Salmon Council, where she currently conducts educational programming.
After hearing about the job opening through the Oregon Museum Association, she visited the heritage house and met with volunteers. Sinor was fascinated to begin learning about the diaries the heritage house continues to organize that were written by people from the late 19th century and early 20th century.
“I was immediately hooked and excited to learn more and help them and join a really great and excitable environment,” Sinor said.
Sinor will help continue that work and collaborate with the Lake Oswego Public Library to make the diaries publicly available.
“It’s a really great time to enter the heritage house because there is a lot going on, specifically in the way of making collections a resource for people,” Sinor said.
Her goal is to make history engaging and accessible to folks who aren’t necessarily history buffs. She recalled a project with the Evergreen museum covering Oregon’s roots within the Apollo 11 moon-landing mission and how Oregonians thought about the mission at the time.
“We were trying to create opportunities for people to talk to (others) about their understanding of history, where they are now and Oregon’s place in that history. It was fun to find these new perspectives on these older stories,” Sinor said.
Along with the diaries, Sinor said the heritage house is in the process of reorganizing its space and has many events coming up such as monthly Chautauqua talks and the annual car and boat show. She also recommended that community members attend the heritage house’s annual member event Feb. 18. She said non-members can also attend.
Sinor added that while other communities have historical societies and archives, Lake Oswego’s collection is uniquely well-preserved, organized and accessible. And she is excited to help lead efforts to keep it that way.
“It’s been nice to step into a role where everyone is eager and excited and willing to help. That reflects on the community as well. I’m thrilled to be here and be a part of it,” she said.