SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry welcomes visitors to its Salem campus on Saturday, Dec. 1 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the historic State Forester’s Office. The public can tour this Works Progress Administration (WPA)-built facility from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Current and retired ODF staff will be available to share the building’s history. The State Forester’s Office, located at 2600 State Street in Salem, opened for business on Dec. 1, 1938 and remains in use today.

The building was designed by architects from the US Forest Service in the National Park Style. In addition to administrative offices, it houses the State Forester and includes the original meeting room for the Board of Forestry. Recognizing the long-standing connection between Oregonians and their forests, 18 different Oregon woods were used in its construction, representing every forested region of the state. A plaque in each room names the types of wood as well as the donating company. The building also features hand-wrought iron door plates and decorative hand-carved wooden accents.

The Forest History Center, also located on ODF’s Salem campus, will be open for public viewing as well. The Center, which is housed in a building constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936, serves as a place to preserve and interpret the history of forestry in Oregon. It is staffed and operated by volunteers and funded through donations and grants.

Volunteers from the Forest History Center will prepare photo displays to interpret construction of the State Forester’s Office, along with other milestones in the building’s history. Current and retired ODF staff will provide tours, share the building’s lore, and talk about their own experience working for the Agency. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.