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Show by POLLY CAMPBELL IMr.'J jl T Good Tomes. in the Music has been known to bridge generations of listeners with its lyncal spell, but at least one town in Oregon conneas its heritage to the language of music and community. Nearly 1 50 years ago, Aurora, Ore., (pop. 655) was settled by carpenters and musicians, farmers and families, all in search of religious freedom. In 1856, Dr. William Keil and members of his Christian colony, most of them German immigrants, traveled over the Oregon Trail from Bethel, Mo., to a e plot of rich farmland in the heart of Oregons 4(X)-atr- Willamette Valley. The colony was named Aurora, after Keil's daughter. Soon, the village became not only a religious hub but also a cultural community. "They made everything, and everything they did was of the finest quality," says Jane Bloomfield, executive director of the Old Aurora Colony Museum. "Its so fascinating how people made this work in such a communal way for so long Among the irems created by these colonists were musical instruments. Auroras traveling band and orchestra attained such renown it was well known up and down the West Coast. When the railroad tame through in 1870, Aurora became a destina tion location for those eager A vestige of the to hear the music and eat hearty German meals. At its peak, the colony had around 600 inhabitants. They manufactured spinning wheels and made their own clothes, fabric, and blankets. Colonists, besides operating a gristmill and processing timber, grew wheat, herbs for teas and medicines, and otlier crops including clover, which was grown for animal feed. worked and contributed their goods and Everybody talents to the community. In return, they took needed food and supplies from the communal treasury. Historical documents indicate there was never Page 8 . yQk I a shortage. Most contributed more than they took, Bloomfield says. Today, Aurora is a National Historic District with a passion for the past. Aged willows and maples flank whitewashed houses built a century ago. Wind-tosse- d laundry hangs on lines strung across back yards, and the Stars and Stripes flies front porches proudly from wooden-floore- d along Liberty and Main streets. Many of Auroras residents are descen- dants of those early settlers. Antique dealers occupy the historic buildings, sellglassware, collectibles, ing furniture, books, toys, trinkets, and other items. Sixteen shops are clustered along Main Street, a block away from the Old ld Aurora Colony Museum and the colony Aurora, a National Historic District, maintains a passion for its past. complex, which includes four of the In J une, the community comes together to enjoy towns original buildings and a log cabin built in the 1 870s. Old newspapers, used as wallpaper to shut heaping portions of locally grown strawberries, ice out the breeze, still cling to the cabins walls. cream, and homemade shortcake during the annual The thing that makes Aurora so unusual is the Strawberry Social a fund-raisfor the historical amount of artifacts and items actually used by the society. colonists that we still have," The first colonists probably would have eaten bands. Bloomfield says. The town bratwurst instead of berries, but they knew how to has that feeling that you've have a good time, Bloomfield says. The formula of stepped back in time. good food, good friends, and good music helped the Charlotte Wirfs, owner of Aurora Colony prosper and endure. Those same ingrethe Quilter's Inn at Aurora dients are alive and well today. bed and breakfast, says most When you come to Aurora, theres something in the air, Bloomfield says. You people visit the museum. get a feeling for Others come to relax and this colony and its history. People find that really find peace of mind or experiattractive. er ence a bit of Americana while shopping for antiques, she says. A map located off Main Street shows dozens of sites within walking distance. The Polly Campbtll is r self-guid- residences. r ' . j ' THERE..." tour, which includes many historic homes that are now private from Beaitrton, GETTING museum also provides maps for a a freelance uriter Ore. i i . Aurora is 25 milts south of Portland, American Profile J. |