The Marys River Oral History Project is underway in an effort to document residents' memories of life in the watershed. This project was initiated Fall 1999 by the Mary's River Watershed Council and soon gained momentum with the help of Bob Zybach of the Oregon Websites and Watersheds Project. In December the groups instructed Philomath High School students in Jeff Mitchell's Ecology class on the basics of conducting oral history interviews. Following this presentation a student team led by Jenny Gerding was assembled to conduct the interviews. Other team members included Trevor Sleeman, also from Jeff Mitchell's class, and Ryan May,
a student in Dave Dunham's AV Tech class.

On February 5 of this year we completed our first interview with longtime Philomath resident Raymond Gellatly. The PHS student team conducted the several hour interview and is now in the process of editing the videotaped footage. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Gellatly for opening their home to us! We all learned much about the history of this area.

We are currently seeking volunteers to help transcribe the interview tapes. With help from the community we hope to create a written historical record of Mr. Gellatly's memories of life along the Mary's River. For more information, contact Sandra Coveny at the Marys River Watershed Council (758-7597).

			First oral history recording session on February 5, 2000. Raymond Gellatly being interviewed at his home by a student team headed by Jennie Gerding, PHS senior in Jeff Mitchell's class.

			Gellatly home c.1880 Birthplace of Raymond in 1920.