Wayne Morse Family Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wayne Morse Farm
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Morse house in Eugene, Oregon
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| Location | Eugene, Oregon, USA |
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| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Wallace Hayden |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000066 |
| Added to NRHP | 1999 |
The Wayne Morse Family Farm is a special park in Eugene, Oregon. It used to be the home of Wayne Morse, a very important Senator from Oregon. This 27-acre park was once a working farm called Edgewood Farm. Today, it includes the old Morse family home, a natural forest area, and a big open field. The park is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a place with a lot of history!
Who Was Wayne Morse?
Wayne Lyman Morse was a smart law professor and a politician who always thought for himself. He was born in Wisconsin. In 1930, he moved to Eugene, Oregon. There, he taught law at the University of Oregon.
In 1944, Morse became a Senator. He was first elected as a Republican. Later, in 1952, he decided to leave that party. He became an Independent politician for a few years. Then, in 1955, he joined the Democratic Party. Wayne Morse served in the Senate until 1968. He passed away in Portland, Oregon, in 1974.
The Morse House
The main house at the farm was built in 1936. It was designed by Wallace Hayden in a style called Colonial Revival. This means it looks like older American homes from colonial times. The house is made of wood with shingle siding. It sits on a strong concrete base.
Inside the house, you can see furniture from the 1930s and 1940s. This helps visitors imagine what life was like back then. There are also special items that belonged to Wayne Morse. You can even see copies of political cartoons about him! These were given to him by the artists. The original cartoons are kept safe by the Oregon Historical Society. The Morse house and park were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. This was because of their important role in Oregon's political history.
You can visit the historic house by making an appointment. It can also be rented for small events. A group called the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation helps take care of the house and park. They work with the City of Eugene to keep it special. Members of this group give tours and help keep the exhibits ready for visitors.
Fun at the Farm Park
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Besides the house, the 27-acre park has a beautiful forest area and a large open field. It was once a working farm for the Morse family. They called it Edgewood Farm. Today, it is a public park for everyone to enjoy.
The park has lots of open space. There are restrooms and picnic tables for visitors. There is also a big picnic shelter. You can rent this shelter from May through October. When it's not rented, anyone can use it.
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The park grounds are open every day from morning until 9:30 PM. Many people enjoy taking nature walks here. If you have a dog, there's a special fenced area where they can run off-leash. In the summer, the City of Eugene runs a fun day camp at the park.
There is also a place called the Willamette Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. This center helps injured birds and small animals get better. It is located on the park grounds, but it is a separate organization.
