The Alvin T. Smith House was built in 1854 and is the second oldest documented building in Forest Grove. The historic home was placed on the National Register in 1974 and its condition has defied nature and human neglect. Mary Jo Morelli tells the saga of how she saved the house from demolition in 1991 and being burned as fire department training in 2001, and the lengths to which Friends of History Forest Grove have gone to protect the historic house, preserve and restore an important part of Oregon's history. 

Mary Jo Morelli is co-author of Images of America: Forest Grove. Descended from pioneers of 1852, she is a living history reenactor, tour guide, and a recognized history resource for schools, historic societies and civic organizations. Mary Jo is a docent at Pacific University's Old College Hall Museum, volunteer manager of the A.T. Smith Property and founding member of Friends of Historic Forest Grove.   

Enjoy 15% off your hotel stay on History Pub nights! Show your ticket at check-in.

These events are open to everyone interested in Pacific Northwest history, and beyond! Often co-sponsored by local or state historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers, historians and documentaries expounding on topics from indigenous history to the birth of Portland, early explorers to hop growing, and on and on! It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp