"Oregon Voice" wins 2013 Leadership in History Award of Merit

We would like to congratulate Marsha Matthews and the Oregon Historical Society on winning the 2013 Leadership in History Award of Merit by the American Association of State and Local History for the exhibit Oregon Voices.  

The AASLH Leadership in History Awards is the nation’s most prestigious competition for recognition of achievement in state and local history.   The award is presented for “exceptional and meritorious work by the organization and/or new and promising ideas, approaches and innovation that serve as a model for the field.” 

Andre and Associates Interpretation and Design Ltd. was responsible for all aspects of project management, design and interpretation for this exhibit. We were also proud to serve as the General Contractor for exhibit fabrication working closely with Carl and Simone Schlichting as well as 3DS and their excellent team of craftsmen.

Oregon Voices: Change and Challenge in Modern Oregon History

Wow, it's been a big spring so far!

We're very excited to announce our latest opening, Oregon Voices: Change and Challenge in Modern Oregon History at the Oregon Historical Society

This 4,000 sq. ft. permanent exhibit opened to the public June 6, 2012.  The exhibit is a multimedia rich exploration and celebration of contemporary life in Oregon today.  Topics range from the differences between Urban and Rural Oregonians, changing neighborhoods, tensions around utilizing the State's natural resources, culture, food, economic growth and poverty.

A big thanks go out to Marsha Matthews, Director of Museum Services and her excellent team at OHS for all their efforts in making this project a reality.

Andre & Associates Interpretation & Design Ltd. was responsible for all aspects of design and interpretation for this exhibit and were also proud to serve as the General Contractor for exhibit fabrication.

We were fortunate to work with a dream team of talented individuals to produce this exhibit including:

Dr. Steven Dow Beckham - Curator

Sockeye - Media Production

Larry Johnson - Media Director

3DS-Three Dimensional Services - Exhibit Fabrication

Delta AV - Media Integration

Infinity Images - Graphic Production

Carl & Simone Schlichting  - Mountmaking

Below are a few sample shots, but be sure and check out this full album of exhibit photos

Introduction Theater styled after the iconic TriMet Transit MAX cars

Urban Renewal display featuring interactive screens and artifacts from a salon run out of a basement in an African American neighbourhood.

View of Children's Area stage and the impressive control panel of the now demolished Trojan nuclear reactor.

Not Everyone's Paradise - This exhibit explores a number of thorny social issues facing both rural and urban Oregon.

Marsha's Market educates young and old alike on the business of producing and selling food in Oregon.

The Tensions Between Communities showcase looks at a number of flash points in modern history where ideologies clashed and tensions boiled over.

The Culture & Industry Theater features two different productions that the visitor can select from.

OHS - Post-War Gallery opens

Here's a few scenes from the recent upgrade of the conclusion gallery of the Oregon My Oregon exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society.  The gallery has just underwent a change to better serve as a transition to the new permanent exhibit Oregon Voices opening this summer.  Oregon Voices focuses on post war Oregon issues right up to present day, so ending the Oregon My Oregon exhibit at the end of World War II works perfectly.

AAID Project Manager Michael Barnes and Three Dimensional Services installer Paul Cox completed the install last week.

Michael also popped into Sockeye to check on the progress on the A/V components for the downstairs exhibit.  

Recycled mannequins model early 1950's outfits

A fresh coat of paint and new graphics and text panels installed

1950s Consumer Goods showcase

Multi-media interactive mockup in place for the Phase II exhibits

Media Producer/Director Larry Johnson at the editing bay

AAID Designed Exhibits play supporting role in “Portlandia”

We were pretty excited to discover that the cult hit comedy show "Portlandia" had used the exhibits we designed at the Oregon Historical Society as a backdrop for this very funny sketch.  We are even more excited that they've agree to let us use a clip from this in our Oregon Culture video in the new exhibit "Oregon Voices" opening this summer at OHS.

Portlandia - Learn About Oregon History with “Portlandia” – IFC

Oregon Historical Society - Community Involvement at its Finest!

Progress photos of the tear drop trailer being built for the new exhibit Oregon: Yours, Mine, Ours.  Oregonian vintage trailer enthusiast Dennis Caron has volunteered his labor to produce this spectacular reproduction of a vintage tear drop trailer for the Outdoor Recreation display in our new exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society.  Thank you Dennis!

Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Begins at OHS

November 15 and 16 saw Michael and Tom leading a workshop with Marsha Mathews, Director of Public Services, staff and experts from around the state at the Oregon Historical Society to determine the thematic blueprint and how to extend the Oregon My Oregon exhibit into the 20th and 21st century. George L. Vogt, Executive Director communicated his vision before sleeves were rolled up and brows furrowed as participants plunged into issues and discussions around the new exhibit. Exhibit Curator, Dr. Stephen Dow Beckham was joined by Bill Willingham, Corps of Engineers; Roberta Connor, Director, Tamastslikt Cultural Institute; Randy Gregg, Editor-in-Chief, Portland Spaces; Chet Orloff, Past Director, OHS; Steve Forrester, newspaper publisher, Astoria; Jerry Hudson, OHS Board Member; Jackie Peterson, WSU Professor, OHS Board Member; Ernesto Gamboa, University of Washington and Bob Boyd, Curator, High Desert Museum.



And yes, your humble scribes explored the further reaches of Powell’s bookshelves and sampled the extraordinary collections of the Portland Art Museum. We highly recommend a visit to the beautifully presented OHS temporary exhibit The GI Dream: Family, Home, Peace & Prosperity, for a glimpse into a world of not so long ago, that is influencing contemporary design today.