Built in 1869 by John Quincy Adams Young, a prominent Oregon pioneer, the house became Cedar Mill’s first post office and served as a general store. It’s one of the oldest buildings in our area, and it’s going to be transformed into a community resource through the efforts of local citizens.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

About the Friends of the JQAY House

The original Friends of John Quincy Adams Young House was created in November of 1997 for the purpose of preventing the moving or demotion of the house. The group, led by Sue Conger, gathered historical information about the house and property, and started communications with the Cedar Mill Bible Church and the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District (THPRD). After eight long years of negotiations, the THPRD acquired the house and property. In May 2005, the THPRD appointed a 13-member ad hoc committee to study restoration plans.

2006 was a very big year for the Friends of the John Quincy Adams Young House. The ad hoc committee worked tirelessly together until the master plan for the restoration of the house was completed and then the group disbanded.

Susan Conger, the chair of the Friends of the John Quincy Adams Young House and the hoc committee, succumbed to cancer in May 2006. In June 2006, THPRD general manager Ron Willoughby retired. With the initial goal of the Friends being accomplished, and with the loss of key personnel, momentum in the development of the property was temporarily slowed.

Since that time, largely through the efforts of Virginia Bruce and other former ad hoc committee members, interest in the house has been sustained, and there have been several fund raising activities, most notably the first and second annual Cedar Mill Cider Festivals.

Former ad hoc committee members gathered with some of the descendants of Susan Conger to discuss the future of the fundraising effort. Now a new Friends of the John Quincy Adams Young House is being formed under the guidance of THPRD for the purposes of fund raising and community involvement.

Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District (THPRD) is forming a committee to provide support for the restoration of the John Quincy Adams Young House throgh public and private fund-raising efforts. Applications are now being accepted, please visit our website at www.jqayounghouse.org and download the application form and submit your application by March 31.




The Friends of John Quincy Adams Young House By-Laws/Guidelines

The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District has given members of the Friends of the John Quincy Adams Young House the following charge:

The purpose and Mission of the Friends of the John Quincy Adams Young House is to support the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District in the restoration of the John Quincy Adams Young house through fundraising efforts.

In pursuit of the above charge, members of the Friends of the John Quincy Adams Young House (JQAY) will be guided by the following by-laws/guidelines.

-The Friends of JQAY house shall consist of 7-10 members. Permanent members include the Jenkins Estate Center Supervisor & the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District Superintendent of Programs and Special Activities.

-Officers will include Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary. These positions shall be elected in (insert month) and will serve one- year terms.

-Terms of membership shall be two-year overlapping terms with membership transfer to occur in (insert month) Members may serve additional terms upon request.

-Any member not wishing to complete his/her full term shall notify the Committee in writing allowing adequate time to find a suitable replacement.

-Meetings shall be scheduled when necessary to discuss JQAY business, not more than twice per month and at least once a quarter.

-Members of the Friends Group shall be available to develop, implement and assist at special fundraising functions, to solicit donations and upon request, speak to the public to help maintain contact with the community at large.

-All fundraising performed by the Friends Group shall be in compliance with all State and local laws. All funds shall be used for restoration of the JQAY house and grounds. All funds shall be secured in and managed by the Tualatin Hills Park Foundation.

-All Friends Group action shall be in accordance to and consistent with Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District policy and procedures.

-THPRD Superintendents and Center Supervisors shall be ex-officio members and will not have voting privileges.

January 27, 2009


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