07/13/2026
Back in the 1950s, A. R. and Mae Tartar had the largest collection of Old Roses in the Pacific Northwest. The Tartars added to their collection by taking cuttings from the Old Roses growing at homesteads and historic properties around Oregon and planting them at their home near Salem. Some of the Old Roses in their collection came across the continent by wagon or around “The Horn” by boat and are linked to Oregon’s territorial history. (Old roses are those available "to the trade" by 1857, two years before Oregon statehood.)
In the late 1950s, the Tartars had to sell their property, reportedly to make way for I-5. They decided to donate their Old Rose collection to the City of Salem. In 1960, Edith Schryver (yes, THAT Schryver) supervised the labelling and removal of over 200 varieties of Old Rose from the Tarter property to Bush’s Pasture Park. She also designed the layout of the Old Roses and a Victorian-inspired brick focal point, complete with sundial, on the west end of the Municipal Rose Garden.
The Tartar Old Rose Collection looked great in its new home in the Park. But nothing lasts forever. Over the years, the focal point suffered from insufficient maintenance. Weeds grew between the bricks. The bricks grew uneven and some broke. Twice, vandals broke the sundial off. After 50 years, the focal point needed serious attention.
By 2018, Mission Street Parks Conservancy’s volunteer Board of Directors had grown tired of looking at the sad state of the focal point. They worked with a professional to prepare a restoration plan, issued a request for proposals, and identified a contractor who could handle the work.
The Conservancy partnered with the City of Salem Parks staff to get the necessary approvals and permits to restore the brickwork. The work was paid for by the contributions of many individuals and several small grants. The brick work was completed in September 2021.
In 2021 and 2022, Gretchen Carnaby selected roses to plant in the four quarters of the focal point. In January 2025, a group of artists, park lovers, and historical preservation people met and settled on replacing the sundial with a new version of a vintage sundial. The Conservancy located a company on the east coast that owned an old mold for a metal sundial featuring a peacock and ordered it, custom made.
The sundial is now in place and the focal point is complete for the first time in decades. The Conservancy has also been working with Elaine Sedlack, an expert in Old Roses, to refresh and identify the roses in the Collection. Thanks to City staff and many, many volunteers and funders, the Tartar Old Rose Collection is looking great. Check it out!
