Calendar

Past Activity

Meteorite and more

  • Start date: 08/04/2023

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 08/04/2023

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Our campus walk includes Obsidian Dean John Straub’s monument at the Pioneer Cemetery, Willamette Meteorite sculpture and photographs in Straub Hall atrium, Willamette Meteorite replica at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Learn about the meteorite’s human history. Admission to the museum is free on the first Friday of the month so it will be easy to view other exhibits. Optional: visit the art museum (also free), eat pizza at Hey Neighbor, or extend your hike across the river.

  • Event Leader: Jacobsen Janet

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Urban

  • Departure Location: South Eugene High School, 19th & Patterson

  • Rating: Easy

  • Roundtrip total drive miles:

  • Season: 2023

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required:

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 2.5

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain:

  • Non-Member Fees: 2

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

We parked at South Eugene High School to walk to the University of Oregon campus and the Pioneer Cemetery to see Dean John Straub’s monument (1853-1932). He was the first Honorary Obsidian member in 1930. A faculty member for 52 years, Straub initiated a beautification project when there were only two trees on the campus, He also took students on hikes up Spencers Butte. We then strolled to Straub Hall atrium to view the Garrick Imatani sculpture of the Willamette Meteroite (Tomanowos) suspended in front of his painting of the Missoula Flood in the Willamette River Basin. Exiting to the courtyard, we examined the wooden sculpture, The House of Phineas Gage. Our next stop was the replica of the Willamette meteorite by Peter Helzer (1992) in front of the Museum of Culture and Natural History (MNCH). The signage explained its human history and how it was recognized as Tomanowos meaning heavenly visitor by the Clackamas people. The 5.5 ton meteorite was acquired by the American Museum of Natural History in New York City in 1906. The first Friday of month free admission and with the outdoor child oriented Native American exhibits and activities, the MNCH was a rousing place to tour. Rick then guided us to Drake’s deli for campus dining: all you can eat for $11.95. With so many enticing desserts, I left my marionberry muffins in my pack. We did figure out why the deli was called “drake.” If you want to know more about the Missoula Flood, call MNCH for info about their weekly talk/tour.

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 12
  • Number of spots available: 8
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Jacobsen, Janet 541-206-1251 N —
2 Signed-Up Allen, Jane 541-731-1338 N 2
3 Signed-Up Jacobsen, John 541-914-1132 N —
4 Signed-Up Ahrens, Rick 541-689-3996 N —