The Benton County Historical Society will host a program on the life of forester T.J. Starker at 11 a.m. Saturday at Philomath Museum.
William G. Robbins, Oregon State University history professor and author of several books on Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, will lead the program entitled, “T.J. Starker, Forester, Public Citizen.”
Those interested in attending are asked to register online. Admission is free. For more information on the BCHS or Philomath Museum, go to the organization’s website.
Starker’s life and activities provided guideposts to understanding the evolution of forest science and forest practices in the Douglas fir region during the first 60 years of the 20th century, according to online promotional materials.
A graduate in the first class of forestry students from Oregon Agricultural College, his varied career included employment with the Forest Service, the Western Pine Association, Oregon Agricultural College/Oregon State College (1922-1942), and then managing his growing forestry estate.
Starker’s extensive community activities involved service on the Corvallis School Board, the local draft board, helping develop and serving on city and county parks boards, heading up fundraising to save the local hospital and overseeing construction of the new First Congregational Church. Starker also had a significant presence in local real estate. Today, Starker Forests Inc., under the third and fourth generations, manages more than 95,000 acres.