Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days · Year-Round Education

Bohemia Academy.

Our local history belongs to everyone. We bring the stories of Cottage Grove and the Bohemia Mining District into classrooms, community spaces, creative projects and real-world experiences.

From hands-on learning with students to shared memories with seniors, Bohemia Academy keeps history part of everyday community life.

Upcoming Workshop Request a Program Community Calendar

School Programs Storytelling Senior Outreach Public Education

Community Learning · November 2026

Coming up at the Academy.

New opportunities to learn, share and create—bringing our region’s stories to new audiences.

From Archive to Screen workshop flyer showing the Cottage Grove Public Market, November 12 at 6:00 PM

Upcoming Workshop

NOV 12Thursday · 2026

From Archive to Screen

Turning Local History Into Engaging Content for the Next Generation

6:00 PM–7:00 PM Cottage Grove Public Market 926 E Main St, Cottage Grove, OR

How do you take an old photograph, newspaper clipping, forgotten place or piece of local history and turn it into something people actually want to watch?

Join Matthew Hewlett, award-winning filmmaker, photographer and historical storyteller, for a practical one-hour workshop on uncovering the story within historical material and bringing it to life through video.

What we'll explore

Story frameworks: ABT, Kenn Adams’ Story Spine and the Hero’s Journey.
Engaging narration, visual sequences and the use of archival materials.
Creating cinematic history content while staying responsible and accurate.
A behind-the-scenes look at the research-to-edit process for Legends of Oregon.

No filmmaking experience is required. You do not need generative AI or expensive equipment. You'll leave with a practical way to turn local history into stories that feel human, visual and worth sharing.

Registration opens in a Google Form. The workshop takes place in person at the Cottage Grove Public Market.

Presented by Matthew Hewlett
Award-winning filmmaker, photographer & historical storyteller

More Than a History Lesson

Education rooted in our community.

Bohemia Academy is the education work of Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days. It brings together local history, storytelling, hands-on learning, senior outreach, student programs and public presentations.

We visit local senior living communities, provide free activities in schools, teach about the Bohemia Mining District, support student documentary projects and create ways for neighbors to explore the places and stories around them.

Whether someone is decorating a bandana, listening to a firsthand memory, filming a documentary or learning to pan for gold, the goal is the same: to make our shared history accessible, memorable and meaningful.

Where Learning Happens

Programs under Bohemia Academy.

From classroom activities to field experiences, these programs bring students, seniors, families and local storytellers together throughout the year.

Community Outreach

Senior Living Community Visits

Monthly visits to local senior living communities to share stories, trivia, music, activities and conversation with residents.

Students decorating bandanas through a local-history school activity

Classroom Learning

Free School Activities

Free classroom presentations paired with hands-on activities, including bandana decorating and the story of the Bohemia Mining District's role in Cottage Grove history.

Cottage Grove and North Douglas school documentary partnership

Youth Storytelling

Youth Documentary Program

Early grant-supported work with Cottage Grove and North Douglas high schools to pay students to create short- and long-form local-history documentaries over two years, with the hope of continuing beyond the grant.

Student Partnerships

Al Kennedy High School Partnership

Learning about the Bohemia Mining District and its landmarks through history discussions, gold-panning instruction and district tours.

Public Presentations

Saginaw Vineyard History Pub

Monthly presentations by historians, filmmakers, storytellers and creative educators sharing local and regional history with the community.

Hands-on gold panning and place-based history

Learn by Doing

Tours, Trainings & Hands-On History

Gold-panning trainings, educational tours and place-based history activities connected to the Bohemia Mining District.

Why We Do This

Inspiring the next generation to care.

An education program can start with a piece of history—and grow into a lifelong connection to this place.

The purpose of this program is to encourage people, especially youth, to recognize the importance of volunteerism and community service. Many local organizations and traditions are being carried forward by volunteers in their 70s and 80s, and we believe it is important to inspire the next generation to take pride in their community, understand the value of giving back, and see that they have a role in preserving the places and traditions that make Cottage Grove special.

Matthew HewlettExecutive Director, Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days

Stay Involved Year-Round

Recurring education programs.

Some programs follow a regular rhythm, while school visits and other hands-on opportunities are arranged with partner groups.

Senior Connections

Monthly visits to local senior living communities

Stories, trivia, activities, music, conversation and community connection.

Learn More

Saginaw Vineyard History Pub

Fourth Wednesday of each month · 6:00 PM

Presentations from historians, filmmakers, storytellers and creative educators across Lane and Douglas counties.

Check Calendar

School & Group Programs

Available by request and partnership

Free classroom activities, local-history presentations and hands-on projects tailored to participating groups.

Request a Visit

Next fourth Wednesday: October 28, 2026. This is the recurring History Pub date, not confirmation of a particular presentation. Please check the community calendar for announced topics, dates and additional Academy events.

Bring History Into Your Community

Have a classroom, group or story to share?

Schools, senior communities, historians, filmmakers and community partners are welcome to connect with us about programs, presentations, student projects and future learning opportunities.

Contact Spirit of BMD Support Education See All Events