The Sandal Society—made up of museum supporters who contribute $1,000 or more annually—meets each winter to vote on how their combined contributions will be spent. The pandemic prevented an in-person meeting in 2020, so we used digital channels to celebrate the Sandal Society’s past support and gather members’ votes for projects to come. We’re delighted to announce that Oregon Folklife Network received 52 percent of the 2020 vote and will be awarded $10,476 to continue its efforts to preserve and celebrate our state’s living cultural traditions. With 48 percent of the vote, the Condon Fossil Collection will receive a $9,524 award to support the collection and preparation of Oregon fossils— ranging from the tiniest rodents to large carnivores—for eventual display at the museum.

Through their annual votes and their ongoing support of the museum, the Sandal Society’s esteemed members continue to make clear how much they value Oregon’s natural and cultural history and the sharing of new research findings. From all of us at the museum, thank you for your continued support of our mission. It means the world to us.

Visit the museum’s website to learn more about the Sandal Society and other levels of museum membership.