Pictured Above: Winner of the 2023 Chair's Choice Award, Cluckin' For Over 100 Years by Karen Shorter

The Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) is sponsoring its tenth annual Historic Photo Contest in honor of Historic Preservation Month, May 2024. Enter the contest to capture your place in history.

Submit your photos online or on Instagram with the hashtag #salemHLC2024 by May 6. You'll be required to sign a photo release form.

The Commission is looking for photos highlighting Salem's historic buildings, neighborhoods, and places that matter to Salem residents. They are particularly interested in buildings, sites, and features that may often go overlooked or are obscure. This contest is for amateur and professional photographers of all ages.

An age group of 17 years old or younger has been established to encourage the young people of Salem to participate. These entries will be judged separately from adult entries. Youth and adult winners will be selected for each photo category.

HLC photo contest categories:

• Historic Interior
• Historic Exterior
• Historic Landscape/Streetscape/Feature (e.g. bridge, tree, etc.)
• Portrait or Animal photo with a Historic Feature or Building.

Prizes will be given for the winning entry in each age group and category. In addition the Historic Landmark Commission chair will give an award to their favorite photo.

The Commission will vote on the winning submissions at its May 16, 2024 meeting. Contest winners will be recognized soon after.

Contest guidelines

• Photos must be taken in Salem, Oregon.
• You are allowed to enter one photo per category.
• Photo entries are meant to celebrate historic sites and do not need to be of places that are in danger of being lost.
• All submissions are due by May 6, 2024.
• To submit, fill out the Historic Photo Contest entry form online and upload your photo. The form can be found here: https://form.cityofsalem.net/s3/Historic-Photo-Contest-2024
• To submit via Instagram:

1. Follow @cityofsalemoregon on Instagram
2. Tag us, @cityofsalemoregon, in the photo and use the hashtag #salemHLC2024.
3. Staff will direct message participants a link to the release form. Instagram entries without a signed release form will not be considered.

To mail your entries, or ask questions, please contact City of Salem Staff:

Kimberli Fitzgerald (503-540-2397) or Zachery Cardoso (503-540-2304)
Historic Photo Contest
City of Salem Planning Division
555 Liberty St SE, RM 305
Salem, OR 97301