Most people think a building has to be perfectly restored to garner listing in the National Register of Historic Places, but the Malmgren Garage, one of the oldest concrete buildings in Talent, and the only structure on its block to survive the Almeda Fire, was considered eligible for listing in the register even through the fire destroyed its roof, windows and all its wooden elements.

Hear from George Kramer, the project restoration specialist, how a determined property owner, her architectural team and builder, have worked together to bring the Malmgren Garage back from the ashes and maintain its historic character, and demonstrate to the State and the National Park Service that it deserved National Register status.

Ashland resident George Kramer, with a background in history and architecture, has worked to document and restore historic buildings throughout the Pacific Northwest for over three decades. He wrote the nomination documents for downtown Grants Pass, downtown Medford, and all four of the historic districts in Ashland, along with the Ashland Springs Hotel, Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville, Medford’s Porter’s Restaurant and more than 80 projects in downtown Medford. His current work in the valley includes interior design for the SOHS Event Center and on-going restoration of the Holly Theatre in addition to the Malmgren Garage.

The monthly Windows in Time lunchtime lectures feature well-known writers and historians and bring alive the people, values, and events that shaped our southern Oregon heritage. Lectures are jointly sponsored by the Southern Oregon Historical Society (SOHS) and Jackson County Library Services.