Wayne Morse Farm
Encyclopedia
The Wayne Morse Family Farm was the home of Oregon’s long-time United States
Senator
, Wayne Morse
. It is located in Eugene
, Oregon
. The 27 acres (109,265.2 m²) site was originally a working farm called Edgewood Farm by the Morse family. It includes the Morse home, a natural wooded area, and open meadow. Formerly named Morse Ranch, the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
, but moved to Eugene in 1930, where he taught law at the University of Oregon
. In 1944, Morse was elected to the United States Senate
as a Republican
. In 1952, he left the Republican Party, becoming an Independent
. Three years later, Morse joined the Democratic Party
. Morse continued to serve in the Senate until 1968. He died in Portland, Oregon
in 1974.
in Portland. Because of its importance to the political history of Oregon, the Morse house and surrounding park was list on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
The historic house is open to the public by appointment and can be rented for special events such as business meeting, weddings, and reunions. However, the size of the home requires that groups be limited to 30 people. The Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation works with the City of Eugene to preserve the Morse house and park. Members of the group give tours, organize events, and maintain the Morse collection exhibits.
The park grounds are open daily from dawn until 9:30 p.m. Nature walks are a popular attraction. Dogs are permitted in the fenced off-leash dog exercise area. In the summer, the City of Eugene operates a day camp in the park. The Willamette Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which is not affiliated with the Wayne Morse Family Farm, is also located on the grounds of the park. The center rehabilitates injured birds and small animals.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, Wayne Morse
Wayne Morse
Wayne Lyman Morse was a politician and attorney from Oregon, United States, known for his proclivity for opposing his parties' leadership, and specifically for his opposition to the Vietnam War on constitutional grounds....
. It is located in Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. The 27 acres (109,265.2 m²) site was originally a working farm called Edgewood Farm by the Morse family. It includes the Morse home, a natural wooded area, and open meadow. Formerly named Morse Ranch, the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Wayne Morse
Wayne Lyman Morse was a law professor and independent-minded politician from Oregon. He was born in WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, but moved to Eugene in 1930, where he taught law at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. In 1944, Morse was elected to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. In 1952, he left the Republican Party, becoming an Independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
. Three years later, Morse joined the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. Morse continued to serve in the Senate until 1968. He died in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
in 1974.
Morse house
The Morse house was built in 1936. It is a colonial revival style home designed by Wallace Hayden. The house is a standard wood-frame structure with shingle siding on a concrete foundation. The interior is furnished with period furniture from the 1930s and 1940s that help preserve the historic integrity of the home. Morse memorabilia is also on display in the house. This includes a large collection of copies of political cartoons featuring Wayne Morse, which were donated to him by the artists. The original collection is maintained by the Oregon Historical SocietyOregon Historical Society
The Oregon Historical Society is an organization that encourages and promotes the study and understanding of the history of the Oregon Country, within the broader context of U.S. history. Incorporated in 1898, the Society collects, preserves, and makes available materials of historical character...
in Portland. Because of its importance to the political history of Oregon, the Morse house and surrounding park was list on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
The historic house is open to the public by appointment and can be rented for special events such as business meeting, weddings, and reunions. However, the size of the home requires that groups be limited to 30 people. The Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation works with the City of Eugene to preserve the Morse house and park. Members of the group give tours, organize events, and maintain the Morse collection exhibits.
Morse Family Farm
In addition to the house, the 27 acres (109,265.2 m²) park includes a natural wooded area and meadow land. Originally, it was a working farm the Morse family called Edgewood Farm. Today, it is a City of Eugene park with open space, restrooms, picnic tables, and a large picnic shelter which is available for rent from May through October. When the shelter is not reserved, it is open to the public.The park grounds are open daily from dawn until 9:30 p.m. Nature walks are a popular attraction. Dogs are permitted in the fenced off-leash dog exercise area. In the summer, the City of Eugene operates a day camp in the park. The Willamette Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which is not affiliated with the Wayne Morse Family Farm, is also located on the grounds of the park. The center rehabilitates injured birds and small animals.