10/29/2026
the TOLEDO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Meeting at 4:00 p.m. at Toledo City Hall
Present: Don Brenner, Larry Davidson, Sandy Hare, Sarah Hazlett, Johanna Jones, Michelle McGeoghegan, Chris Mershon, Di & Mike Morgan, Melody Montgomery
MINUTES for Monday, October 26, 2026
1. Meeting called to order at 4:01. Last meeting's minutes approved.
2. Regular Business
a. Treasury Report -- End of Sept - $2,677.77 in bank. CD $7,474.12.
b. Acquisitions -- Don received a dress form from the High School and a framed poster of Toledo's "WWI Veterans in the Service". We got an old Toledo High School marching band uniform and a pristine 1959 map of Portland, Oregon.
c. Grants -- Joh has sent in a $7200 request for organizing artifacts in the Museum.
d. Support the Toledo Historical Society by becoming a Member for 2026-2027
3. Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons -- Larry has been working on his steamboat replica which he plans to have ready for the 150 year launch of the Steamboat Toledo on November 23 (1878). Larry has acquired an old riverboat compass and has 3D printed four period figures and the helm for his replica. Also, GTHH has been working with the Schillingers on their 60-foot "Welcome to Toledo" arch. There are lots of State requirements to meet before erecting the structure, not to mention finding funding sources.
4. Toledo at 145 + Founders Day — Sandy Hare with Joh's help did an outstanding job making this a reality. We had 16 volunteers who helped with set up. Marketing for the event was done on Facebook, the local weekly paper, a large banner on the community “wall” and flyers posted on just about every storefront in town! Each flyer (and the banner) had a QR code on it so residents could easily sign up. The event was free to all who came. The Donation Jar brought in $124; Merch Sales were $80; Sponsorship yielded $825 along with the WA state grant helped make this a successful event. Unfortunately attendance was much lower than expected. So we ended up with a $52.12 loss. We need to increase our membership. Please support the Toledo Historical Society by becoming a Member.
5. Toledo History Museum
We plan to start work early next year with a Grand Opening on Cheese Days in July.
6. Other Business
a. Veterans Day Parade 11/11 - Parade, Ceremony, Time Capsule
b. Winterfest (Nov. 11 - Dec. 31) - Mike is compiling this again for the Community.
c. Santa Quad Parade & Tree Lighting (Dec. 11) - Sarah said this will be moved to a Friday afternoon and will return to the Toledo Waterfront, aka the boat launch.
d. Giant Cheese Ball Drop (Dec. 31) - Mike said cheese and fireworks will soon be acquired for the ninth annual event on New Years Eve.
e. 16th BIG Community Meeting -- March 16, 2027.
7. "On This Day" in October --
10/1-2/1926 -- Chairman JM Boyles announced the annual Toledo Community Fair.
10/3/1913 -- Toledo bridge chosen for the Pacific Highway to cross the Cowlitz river.
10/6/1896 -- While at Portland, the Toledo ran onto a snag on the Willamette river and sank.
10/10/1896 -- The Toledo will have a new hull built. The steamer Salem will continue the Toledo's run between Portland and Toledo.
10/11/1892 -- Deckhand JW Kain drowned when pushed overboard by crew member Daniel Boyd.
8. Next THS meeting: 4:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, 2026, at Toledo City Hall
