We exceeded our initial fundraising goal, raising $3500 from more than 30 neighbors, including a $1500 matching grant from the Eugene Emeralds. This funded exploratory efforts and retained the services of Jonathan Pincus, a respected historic preservation expert, to guide our volunteer/unpaid research and to help us determine whether the JWN should apply for historic district status. Jonathan is a longtime resident of the area who has worked closely with the Eugene Planning Department and other local, regional, and national clients.

We applied for and were awarded a city of Eugene Neighborhood Matching Grant of $5000 in summer 2024 to more completely research and document the feasibility of a national historic district designation in the JWN, as well as continue our outreach efforts. For the "match" part of the matching grant, volunteers were required to contribute nearly 250 hours of their time. We far exceeded that number, more than doubling it!

Several dozen neighbors and friends enjoyed a pleasant September 2024 afternoon of bluegrass music, beverages, and snacks at our first house benefit concert. Three members of Pants with Pockets, a group of Eugene String Queens, entertained the audience at 971 W. Broadway (c. 1890), raising $500 for the project. Each of these stellar musicians hails from various local bluegrass groups including Meadow Rue, Cherry Hill and Bake Club. Joining us and pictured above were Bonnie McDonald (voice, bass, guitar, etc), Sarah Holtschalg (accordion, saw, guitar, voice), and Tanya Bunson (fiddle).