UPCOMING EVENTS
May National Historic Preservation Month See The Nugget for articles about the old Sisters High School
June 6 SPRD Kids Fest SPRD’s new facility (formerly the elementary school)
June 13 Rodeo Parade Downtown Sisters on Cascade Ave. Begins at 9:30 am
July 4 July 4th Fest Village Green Park
July 11 Quilt Show – Showcase Oral History of Jean Wells Sisters Museum
July 18 “Timeless Treasures” Fundraiser Sisters Fire Station’s Community Hall
TSHS Fireside Series Update
April 19, 2026 - Hollywood Comes to Sisters, Part 2
With more stories to tell, we decided to extend this topic, adding 2 more movies and a TV show. Jim Crowell, who was an extra in The Indian Fighter in 1955, had the audience laughing with some great personal stories and observations of off-camera hijinks. Then Eric Stobel, who, along with about 100 other locals hired for the TV series McKenna, had a behind-the-scenes role and got to drive a 15-year-old Jennifer Love Hewitt around, including to her horseback riding lessons. These were taught by none other than our next speaker, wrangler from The Postman, Susie Flenniken. She really enjoyed working on this set, especially with the episode “The Pony” about a young girl riding in a dressage show on her grandpa’s (Chad Everett) old roping horse - and doing well! Unfortunately, while 13 episodes were shot, only 5 made it on air before ABC canceled (they were competing with Seinfeld and Friends). Our last speaker was Bruce Lawson, the Key Grip on the Homeward Bound movie set, who had the audience in stitches with some of the hilarious stories of the challenges of having 2 dogs and a cat being the stars! We understand why it is not done often, but well worth seeing.
March 22, 2026 - Hollywood Comes to Sisters, Part 1
While the guests munched on popcorn, a variety of presenters and guests regaled the audience with personal experiences and historic tales of how and where they were made. Nick Dennis and Ted Hogan brought to light Rooster Cogburn, with Marvin Mills sharing his story of lunching with John Wayne as a 12-year-old and receiving an authentic eye patch! The Have Gun Will Travel story of an episode filmed right here in Plainview was told by Kathy Dennis with some great pictures of the 1920 barn they used, which still stands. These were followed by The Postman presented by Pat Leiser with guests Susie Flenniken, horse wrangler, Kathy Deggendorfer who, in addition to being an extra on horseback along with her husband, Frank, talked Kevin Costner into personally to her daughter’s Sisters High School drama class. Then it was Matt Cyrus’ turn to share a fabulous scrapbook he has of his family’s experience with many scenes being shot on their property. All in all, a Fireside to be remebered.
UNFORTUANTELY, DUE TO COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SHARE THESE PRESENTATIONS WITH A LINK TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. THEY MAY BE VIEWED IN PERSON AT THE SISTERS MUSEUM.
February 22, 2026 – “John C. Fremont Slept Here”
Loren Irving is a professional photographer and historian of the 2nd John Fremont Expedition, which came through Oregon in 1843. The expedition camped near Sisters on Wychus Creek in December 1843. Mr. Irving located and photographed 31 of their camp sites in Oregon and shared these photographs and many stories with us. Other familiar members of this party were Kit Carson and young Billy Chinook.
November 23, 2025 – “The History and Culture of the Wadatika Band of Northern Paiutes”
Dr. Diane L. Teeman is an Indigenous archaeologist and traditional practitioner of Northern Paiute culture. She shared an overview of Northern Great Basin culture and history. As the owner of High Desert Heritage Consultants, LLC., her goal is the revitalization and preservation of tribal history, language, and traditional ways.
October 19, 2025 – "Oregon Country: Territory and Statehood, the First Decades”
Jim Barnett shared stories and recollections about the formation of the Oregon Territory after the Treaty of 1846, and the first decades of Statehood. We learned about the "Whitman Massacre," the splitting off of Washington territory, our unique constitutional heritage, and the formation of the Warm Springs Reservation.
March 23, 2025 – "Oregon Country: Exploration and Settlement of the Pacific Northwest"
Presented by Jim Barnett, a local historian who has published seven books on themes surrounding the voyages of Captain James Cook and George Vancouver, as well as the early history of the West Coast of North America. His presentation on the early history of Oregon - before there was an “Oregon”- bringing us up to 1846 when the Oregon Boundary Dispute between Great Britain and the U.S. was resolved and the Oregon Territory was formed. It was fascinating and drew another sell-out crowd.
February 23, 2025 – “Charles M. Russell, Icon of the American West”
Russell biographer Dr. Larry Len Peterson, talked about the life and art of the West’s greatest artist, Charles M. Russell (1864-1926). Singer-songwriter Jim Cornelius joined us with his rendition of an Ian Tyson song, The Gift, about Charles Russell to the delight of the audience - another full house. We also had a very successful auction (with Jim as a terrific auctioneer!) of a framed Charles Russell print, and three of Dr. Peterson’s books were also raffled off.
November 17, 2024 | “The Native People’s Presence in Central Oregon from Time Immemorial”
Presented by Wilson Wewa. A Northern Paiute’s stories of growing up on the Warm Springs Reservation and the travels he and his grandmother, Maggie Wewa, did all around the Pacific Northwest. They were fascinating and enlightening to the large crowd that gathered to hear him.
October 20, 2024 “The Dam Fiasco at Bull Flat - The History of the 1914 Tumalo Project” was presented by Mike Berry.
We wish to thank Cody Rheault of Cody Roux Media, and Jarod Gatley for filming and editing our Fireside events, and the Roundhouse Foundation for providing the grant funds to allow us to preserve these presentations for you.
Fireside Story Evening
“If the Trees Could Speak: Stories of Camp Sherman”
Did you ever wonder how the community was named Camp Sherman? Or who started the Camp Sherman Store? Or when the first Metolius River cabins were built and by whom? Or where to find the Camp Sherman golf course, the old dairy, or Camp Sisters? Lorie Hancock, a representative of the Camp Sherman Historical Society will answer these questions and more, sharing lots of interesting stories about the history of the special area.
Reservations may be made at 541-610-6323. Doors will open at 6:00. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. Seating is first-come, first-served. The event is free for current members of the Three Sisters Historical Society, and you will have the opportunity to join TSHS at the event!
Fireside Story Evening
An Insider’s View of Local Logging, Lumber, and Milling
Jim Crowell, a resident of Bend since 1940 and a long-time employee of Brooks-Scanlon - from summer help in his college days to top-level management later, including with Brooks Resources as they develop the concept and execution of Black Butte Ranch - will share his perspectives on the origin, growth, and impact of this vital industry on Central Oregon for more than a century.
Reservations may be made at 541-610-6323. Doors will open at 6:00. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. Seating is first-come, first-served. The event is free for current members of the Three Sisters Historical Society, and you will have the opportunity to join TSHS at the event!