NSDAR awards OSAF Historic Preservation Recognition Award

The National Society of the Daughters of American Revolution honored the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation with their prestigious Historic Preservation Recognition Award on April 26.

The award notes the excellent volunteer work in historic preservation efforts made by the board members of the OSAF to save the Oneida Stake Academy Building and restore it for use.

“It was with great pleasure that I received notice that the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Committee awarded the prestigious NSDAR Historic Preservation Recognition Award to the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation for its part in rescuing and restoring the Oneida Stake Academy,” said Joanne Jensen, regent of the Bear River Chapter of the NSDAR.

“This award was designed to recognize worthy local individuals and groups for outstanding achievements in all areas of historic preservation.  This award recognizes and honors OSAF for outstanding volunteer effort and service at the community level for the historic preservation of the Oneida Stake Academy.  Congratulations to OSAF!” said Jensen.

 The award was presented by the General President of the NSDAR, Merry Ann Wright and signed by Jensen and the Utah State Regent Shirley Nelson. Wright, who instigated the granting process, said she was thrilled with the work being done on the OSA building.

2011.  Those funds have been used to restore the bell tower of the Oneida Stake Academy Building. The work is near completion and was done by Todd Jensen Construction.

The NSDAR, based in Washington D.C. was formed the same year local pioneers began working on the Oneida Stake Academy: 1890. Six years later, Congress incorporated the organization appointed with the mission of preserving history, promote education, and encourage patriotic endeavor.

With 170,000 members in 3,000 chapters nationwide and internationally, the NSDAR support several schools, provide scholarships and awards to qualifying students, sponsor literacy and youth programs, essay contests, museum program, and summer camps. They also provide service to veterans and active military personnel.

NSDAR headquarters comprises an entire city block close to the nations capitol. It includes a genealogical library, one of the foremost collections of pre-industrial American decorative arts, Washington’s largest concert hall and an extensive collection of early American manuscripts and imprints. For more information about the DAR, see www.dar.org.

Ballroom floor leveled

 A new beam under the ballroom floor has taken a fie-inch sag out of the floor caused 10 years ago by a water leak in the building. While installing this beam, new floor joists were also installed. While working on the floor, it was discovered the a fire once raged through this part of the building. If anyone has any information on that fire, please contact us at office@oneidastakeacademy.org

The work on the floor was completed by funds provided by the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation.

Bell to ring again

Work is progressing. The bell will soon ring again! 
Todd Jensen's crew is progressing with the bell's restoration. Dry rot was discovered, slowing down the process, but we are glad we found it. The supports are now strong enough for another century of use. Thanks to David Mitchell (pictured) for years and years of care taking given to the Oneida Stake Academy building.

Work on the bell tower has been funded by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Doloroes Doré Eccles Foundation.

OSAF sponsors Franklin County centennial events

            In celebration of Franklin County’s 100^th Birthday, the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation is sponsoring two events for the public this summer.

            On July 11 & 12, a pageant will be presented in front of the Oneida Stake Academy Building. This production, originally headed up by Karla Cattani and Peggy Christensen, and now Christensen and Alice King, has been written by Cecelie Costley and will feature the music of Tyler Castleton.

            It explores not only the history of education through the academy, but its role in promoting culture in the community, said Costley.

            Other members of the Oneida Stake Academy Pageant Committee are: Dani Dunn, Paula Lemmon, Sherrie Cromwell and Claudia Erickson.

            The other event is a Heritage Day, to be held in Benson Park on July 24. This event will feature several activities reminiscent of original Pioneer Day celebrations, such as a dinner, music, a pie-making contest, horse and buggy rides, marble and jack contests, foot races and other games, an alumni booth, a three-on-three-basketball tournament and an out-door version of the Perisana dance hall.

            Members of the Oneida Stake Academy Heritage Day Committee are: Saundra Hubbard, Hannah Edwards, Anna Gray, Sheyenne Hunsaker, Tiffany Jepsen, Jennifer Seamons, Diane Petty and Thedora Petterborg.

            “We hope the public will enjoy these events. In years to come the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation will use the restored building to enrich the community with cultural events such as these,” said OSAF chairman, Nathan Hale.