Group documents history of western lumber

HE RICH HISToRy of the western lumber industry features a host of stories about unique personalities and companies. A group of veteran lumber industry professionals is now capturing these stories in annual monographs to keep this history alive for the next generation of lumbermen and women.

The Lumber Pioneers, with a membership of wood products professionals with at least 20 years ofexperience in the industry, has published five monographs so far. The first monograph detailed the history of Pope & Talbot's Port Gamble mill, which operated for 140 years, making it the longest operating sawmill in North America before it closed in 1995.

Other monographs offer overviews of Gilchrist Timber Co., Paul Bunyan Lumber Co., Ochoco Lumber Co., and

Bohemia, Inc. Each monograph is $5 from the Literature Store at www.wwpa.org.

Lumber Pioneers chair Sherman Kirchmeier said while the members are documenting the past, they are also focusing on the future. The group became a tax-exempt organization in 2009 and has established a scholarship program to support the next generation of industry professionals.

"We would like to give back something to an industry that has given us so much," said Kirchmeier. "Providing scholarships is one of the best ways we can do that."

The Lumber Pioneers are providing scholarship contributions to the Oregon State University Wood Science & Engineering fund and the Temperate Forest Foundation Teachers Tour program.

Kirchmeier said the group is making a renewed effort to bring those still working in the industry into the Lumber Pioneer ranks. Individuals with 20 years or more experience working in the industry, from mills and lumber companies to wholesalers, retailers and others, are eligible for membership. Annual dues are $20 a year.

For more information on the Lumber Pioneers and to download a membership packet, go to www.wwpa.org and select Lumber Pioneers under the About WWPA tab. You may also contact the group at pioneers@wwpa.org.

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