July 24, 2025 3:50 a.m.  

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners has announced that the Douglas County Museum of Natural and Cultural History has received funding to replace an outdated microfilm reader in the Lavola Bakken Research Library.

A county release said a generous $5,000 grant from the Roadhouse Foundation was submitted and received by the Museum Foundation, who also contributed nearly $4,800 in matching funds to make the microfilm reader purchase possible for the museum.

The Douglas County Museum Foundation was founded in 1982 and is a non-profit 501c3 organization with a volunteer board of directors that help support, promote and encourage growth at both the Douglas County Museum of History and Cultural History in Roseburg and the Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum in Winchester Bay.

The release said the upgrade will significantly improve public access to historical documents, newspapers and archival materials that are vital for local and regional research. The library’s previous microfilm reader, installed over a decade ago, had become outdated and incompatible with modern technology.

Matt Hill, President of the Douglas County Museum Foundation said, “We are deeply grateful to the Roadhouse Foundation for recognizing the value of preserving and improving access to our community’s historical resources”. Hill said, “This grant allows us to continue offering reliable research tools while making out archives more accessible and user-friendly for generations to come”.

Located adjacent to the fairgrounds, the Douglas County Museum of Natural and Cultural History is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free for members and children up to age 4. It is $2 for students aged 5 to 17, $8 for adults, and $5 for seniors and veterans. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 957-7007.