An archaeological investigation was completed at the original site of the Jason Lee Mission house in Salem located at 990 Broadway Street NE in May 2020. Constructed between 1840 and 1841 and moved to the Willamette Heritage Center (1313 Mill St SE) in 1965, it’s the oldest still standing frame structure in the Pacific Northwest.

A base for Jason Lee’s Methodist Mission activity during the 1840s, the site represents one of the most significant places in the history of Euro-American settlement of the Pacific Northwest and American westward expansion.

Originally chosen for its proximity to the Santiam Kalapuya village of Chemeketa, the site also represents a significant point of contact between local Indigenous people and incoming settlers.

Project Partners

Partners include:

• City of Salem Community Development
• Stantec
• Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
• Willamette University
• Willamette Heritage Center
• State Historic Preservation Office

With a special thanks to property owners Luke Glaze and Charles Weathers.

View May 3, 2020 Tour of the Jason Lee Site

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Episode 1 - April 13, 2020 Video
Script for Episode 1

Episode 2 - April 23, 2020 Video

Episode 3 - May 15, 2020