MISSION
The Lower Columbia Preservation Society seeks to preserve the history, sites and culture of communities bordering the Columbia River in Clatsop, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties.
VISION
The organization is recognized for its dedication to the preservation of diverse cultural assets. Delivering a broad range of historic preservation services, we strive to make preservation accessible to all by inspiring curiosity, advancing knowledge, creating a "sense of place" and delivering economic benefit to our communities.
VALUES
We value preservation, restoration and adaptive reuse by:
EQUITY
LCPS seeks equity, diversity and inclusion in our organization, activities and make up of community partners.
The Lower Columbia Preservation Society seeks to preserve the history, sites and culture of communities bordering the Columbia River in Clatsop, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties.
VISION
The organization is recognized for its dedication to the preservation of diverse cultural assets. Delivering a broad range of historic preservation services, we strive to make preservation accessible to all by inspiring curiosity, advancing knowledge, creating a "sense of place" and delivering economic benefit to our communities.
VALUES
We value preservation, restoration and adaptive reuse by:
- Developing and promoting preservation education;
- Providing useful resources to community members;
- Supporting the survey and designation of historic sites, structures and districts;
- Encouraging adherence to preservation codes and standards;
- Promoting responsible stewardship of historic assets; and,
- Revealing, documenting and sharing untold stories.
EQUITY
LCPS seeks equity, diversity and inclusion in our organization, activities and make up of community partners.
History of the Lower Columba Preservation Society
Lower Columbia Preservation Society (LCPS) was incorporated in 1999 with the mission to preserve, protect, and promote the historic architecture of the Lower Columbia region. Over twenty years later, LCPS remains active in preservation education and community support. We provide financial assistance to Clatsop Community College's historic preservation program, maintain and improve the 1852 U.S. Customhouse Reconstruction in Uppertown Astoria, and provide information and resources on preservation, restoration, and architectural history from our downtown Astoria office. Our office is now located at 591 12th Street, Astoria, on the corner of 12th and Franklin streets, in the historic Kirchhoff Residence.
LCPS strongly encourages local communities to explore alternatives to demolishing historic resources. Demolition should only be a last resort. When a home, building or landmark site is destroyed, documentation and research of its history, before demolition, is of great importance. Our goal is to educate the public, including community decision-makers, by providing accurate historical information about sites and structures before property owners undertake major renovations, demolitions, or relocations.
LCPS's financial support comes from memberships, donations, and our endowment. The endowment was funded mainly by pioneer LCPS member, Roberta Stramiello.
Members enjoy monthly educational programming, invitations to special events, receive our quarterly newsletter RESTORIA, and have access to our lending library of over 300 resources.
LCPS helps preserve the historical integrity of the built environment on both sides of the Columbia River by:
Lower Columbia Preservation Society (LCPS) was incorporated in 1999 with the mission to preserve, protect, and promote the historic architecture of the Lower Columbia region. Over twenty years later, LCPS remains active in preservation education and community support. We provide financial assistance to Clatsop Community College's historic preservation program, maintain and improve the 1852 U.S. Customhouse Reconstruction in Uppertown Astoria, and provide information and resources on preservation, restoration, and architectural history from our downtown Astoria office. Our office is now located at 591 12th Street, Astoria, on the corner of 12th and Franklin streets, in the historic Kirchhoff Residence.
LCPS strongly encourages local communities to explore alternatives to demolishing historic resources. Demolition should only be a last resort. When a home, building or landmark site is destroyed, documentation and research of its history, before demolition, is of great importance. Our goal is to educate the public, including community decision-makers, by providing accurate historical information about sites and structures before property owners undertake major renovations, demolitions, or relocations.
LCPS's financial support comes from memberships, donations, and our endowment. The endowment was funded mainly by pioneer LCPS member, Roberta Stramiello.
Members enjoy monthly educational programming, invitations to special events, receive our quarterly newsletter RESTORIA, and have access to our lending library of over 300 resources.
LCPS helps preserve the historical integrity of the built environment on both sides of the Columbia River by:
- Encouraging inventory of historic properties, designation of landmarks, and enforcement of development codes that protect historic resources.
- Developing proactive preservation programs and supporting other local organizations' preservation programs.
- Providing access to information on local architectural history and preservation resources.
- Hosting events that focus on local architectural history, current topics in preservation, and provide how-to guidance.
Lower Columbia Preservation Society Endowment
Tony and Roberta Stramiello worked for many years to purchase, maintain, and preserve historic properties in Astoria, including several apartment buildings. When Tony died in 2005, the LCPS endowment fund was established to receive donations in his memory. Two years later, Roberta herself passed away, and she bequeathed several of her historic properties to LCPS. The organization has since sold these properties, which have been restored by their new owners. Proceeds from the sale of these properties allowed Lower Columbia Preservation Society to build a healthy endowment fund that will continue to support our mission activities, well into the future.
If you are interested in contributing to the LCPS Endowment Fund, please contact Rachel via email at [email protected] or by phone at 971-403-6394.
If you are interested in contributing to the LCPS Endowment Fund, please contact Rachel via email at [email protected] or by phone at 971-403-6394.
STAFF
Sarah Cohen - Administrative and Development Manager
Sarah Cohen is an experienced nonprofit administrator and arts leader with a strong background in organizational management, community engagement, and creative program development. Over the past decade, she has combined administrative expertise with a deep passion for the arts and education, helping organizations streamline operations and expand their impact.
Currently serving as Artistic Director of Dance at the Astoria Conservatory, Sarah develops and implements systems that support staff, students, and program growth while coordinating performances and outreach that connect the community through movement.
Sarah brings extensive administrative and financial experience from her role as CFO, where she manages payroll, bookkeeping, and HR operations. With a B.A. in Anthropology from Portland State University and additional training in research and organizational operations, Sarah blends analytical insight with creative leadership. She is dedicated to fostering arts and nonprofit organizations that uplift communities and inspire collaboration.
Misty Czillinger - Program Manager
Misty Czillinger was raised in Gunnison, Colorado and has called Oregon home since 1995. She studied small business and conflict resolution at Portland Community College and Portland State University, grounding her work in collaboration, stewardship, and long-term community impact. Her professional background includes owning and operating Retrospect on NE 15th and Alberta, a vintage and handmade goods shop centered on sustainability, reuse, and the preservation of material culture through second life goods.
After relocating to Astoria in 2012, Misty became deeply rooted in the Lower Columbia River region through years of community-facing work, including more than five years bartending and building relationships across generations. She continues to support local makers and preservation-minded commerce through her booth at Reclamation Marketplace. Misty is a mother of two grown sons and a proud grandmother, further grounding her commitment to preserving community stories, traditions, and place for future generations.
Misty’s passion for community engagement, event planning, and volunteer coordination reflects her belief that preservation is not only about buildings and artifacts, but about people, shared history, and cultural continuity. She currently serves as Volunteer Coordinator for the Liberty Theatre, where she supports a historic community institution through public programming and civic participation. In her role as Program Manager for the Lower Columbia Preservation Society, Misty brings a people-centered, place-based approach to preserving the history, sites, and culture of Clatsop, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties—while remaining, unmistakably, an all-around baddie.
Rachel Jensen - Research Specialist
Rachel is a fourth-generation Astorian with strong ties to the local community. She holds a B.A. in American studies and visual arts from Marlboro College and an M.A. in historic preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her interest in preservation began with the study of fine art conservation but quickly expanded to include architecture, cultural resource law, and historic preservation theory. Her thesis work included a survey of Astoria’s historic neighborhood grocery stores with a focus on residential conversions of commercial storefronts. Other local projects include assisting in the inventory of over 400 properties within the Uppertown-Adair inventory area and the remodel/restoration of an Astoria home built in 1895. In addition to her preservation consulting, she has been a local real estate broker, property manager, and membership coordinator for the Fort Clatsop Historical Association. She joined the LCPS board of directors in 2015 and became the organization's first executive director in March of 2018. In 2026, she continues to support LCPS programming, complete historical research, and train new staff and volunteers.
Sarah Cohen is an experienced nonprofit administrator and arts leader with a strong background in organizational management, community engagement, and creative program development. Over the past decade, she has combined administrative expertise with a deep passion for the arts and education, helping organizations streamline operations and expand their impact.
Currently serving as Artistic Director of Dance at the Astoria Conservatory, Sarah develops and implements systems that support staff, students, and program growth while coordinating performances and outreach that connect the community through movement.
Sarah brings extensive administrative and financial experience from her role as CFO, where she manages payroll, bookkeeping, and HR operations. With a B.A. in Anthropology from Portland State University and additional training in research and organizational operations, Sarah blends analytical insight with creative leadership. She is dedicated to fostering arts and nonprofit organizations that uplift communities and inspire collaboration.
Misty Czillinger - Program Manager
Misty Czillinger was raised in Gunnison, Colorado and has called Oregon home since 1995. She studied small business and conflict resolution at Portland Community College and Portland State University, grounding her work in collaboration, stewardship, and long-term community impact. Her professional background includes owning and operating Retrospect on NE 15th and Alberta, a vintage and handmade goods shop centered on sustainability, reuse, and the preservation of material culture through second life goods.
After relocating to Astoria in 2012, Misty became deeply rooted in the Lower Columbia River region through years of community-facing work, including more than five years bartending and building relationships across generations. She continues to support local makers and preservation-minded commerce through her booth at Reclamation Marketplace. Misty is a mother of two grown sons and a proud grandmother, further grounding her commitment to preserving community stories, traditions, and place for future generations.
Misty’s passion for community engagement, event planning, and volunteer coordination reflects her belief that preservation is not only about buildings and artifacts, but about people, shared history, and cultural continuity. She currently serves as Volunteer Coordinator for the Liberty Theatre, where she supports a historic community institution through public programming and civic participation. In her role as Program Manager for the Lower Columbia Preservation Society, Misty brings a people-centered, place-based approach to preserving the history, sites, and culture of Clatsop, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties—while remaining, unmistakably, an all-around baddie.
Rachel Jensen - Research Specialist
Rachel is a fourth-generation Astorian with strong ties to the local community. She holds a B.A. in American studies and visual arts from Marlboro College and an M.A. in historic preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her interest in preservation began with the study of fine art conservation but quickly expanded to include architecture, cultural resource law, and historic preservation theory. Her thesis work included a survey of Astoria’s historic neighborhood grocery stores with a focus on residential conversions of commercial storefronts. Other local projects include assisting in the inventory of over 400 properties within the Uppertown-Adair inventory area and the remodel/restoration of an Astoria home built in 1895. In addition to her preservation consulting, she has been a local real estate broker, property manager, and membership coordinator for the Fort Clatsop Historical Association. She joined the LCPS board of directors in 2015 and became the organization's first executive director in March of 2018. In 2026, she continues to support LCPS programming, complete historical research, and train new staff and volunteers.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Astronemis Ray - President/Chair of the BoardVice-President/Vice Chair of the Board
Astonomis grew up in Astoria and is a graduate of Clatsop Community College. She is involved in many student and community organizations and joined our board in the fall of 2020. Previously, she had been an LCPS summer intern and co-produced and hosted The Restoria Podcast, Season One. She currently produces and hosts The Preservanists on KMUN community radio,
Lauri Kramer Serafin - Vice-President/Vice Chair of the Board
Lauri is a native of the Pacific Northwest and spent her professional career in Public Health in Seattle, Washington. She has had an abnormal interest in antiques and old houses from a very young age. A one story Colonial Revival influenced Seattle bungalow was her first experience in old house restoration. The house was largely original and was a victim of deferred maintenance. The house was featured in a neighborhood home tour in 1993 as an intact historic home. In 1997, Lauri and her husband added a historically sensitive half story adding to the house to accommodate a growing family. The current project is the elegant "The Forsstrom House," the historic residence of Dr. Toivo Forsstrom (1867-1945) in Astoria between 1909 and 1945. Her primary retirement project is to preserve the home and legacy of the Forsstroms. Lauri has a passion for historic preservation, historic interior design, antique collecting, a good research project, genealogy and shopping the salvage yards for house parts.
Marcus Lucero - Secretary
Marcus is passionate about preservation and is currently pursuing a degree in Historic Preservation and Restoration from Clatsop Community College. His academic journey encompasses a comprehensive understanding of preservation methodologies, historical conservation techniques, sustainable preservation strategies, and architectural history.
Sean Molloy - Treasurer
A Graduate of Reed College (BA) and Caltech (PhD), Sean grew up and lived/worked in Portland for most of his life. Always fascinated by architecture, history, and art despite not working professionally in these fields, he grew up with an appreciation of antiques and the history and stories they convey about our collective past. Sean spent time in the old neighborhoods of Portland and Pasadena, where he was surrounded by lovely and sometimes grand examples of domestic architecture from the late 1800s through the early 1940s. Seeing some of the more prominent Greene and Greene bungalows while living in SoCal was particularly inspiring. The presence of many lovely old homes from these periods and the area's intriguing history led him to relocate to his turn-of-the-century vernacular Victorian in Astoria's Uniontown.
While not formally trained in preservation, Sean gained practical knowledge of the challenges of old homes through ownership of several properties over the last 30 years, all of which he has repaired and renovated. His professional life as a scientist and administrator also gives him an appreciation for research, grant writing, and various aspects of institutional operations, including finance, facilities, and HR. As a member of the LCPS board and an active participant in programming, Sean hopes to leverage his personal experiences and interests to support LCPS's mission in any way possible. He joined the board in January 2024.
Bob Clay
Bob and his family have long been drawn to Astoria's architectural treasures and spectacular setting. In October of 2024, he and his wife moved here, where they've found a welcoming community with its high level of volunteerism, friendly neighbors, and strong sense of community. They're restoring their 1918 Craftsman bungalow up the hill from the Flavel House. Bob previously supervised the restoration of a 1892 vernacular Queen Anne in Northwest Portland, and he was instrumental in obtaining National Historic District designation for his former neighborhood there. He is drawn to the hand-made craftsmanship and aesthetic qualities of historic architecture.
Bob had a 40-year career in housing and land use planning. He spent 27 years at Portland's Planning Bureau, including ten years as Chief Planner. Long Range Planning and Urban Design. He is a past President of the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Since retiring, Bob had deepened his commitment to architectural heritage. He has led walking tours for Portland's Architectural Heritage Center for more than a decade and has lectured and written about Oregon's first state architect, William C. Knighton. He is now taking a class in historic preservation from Professor John Goodenberger at Clatsop Community College.
Bob has a BA (UC Berkeley) and a Master's degree in urban planning (U of O) and in Public Administration (USC). He can often be found exploring Astoria's nooks and crannies with his dog, Sammie. Bob joined the LCPS board in October 2025.
Sam Peterson
Sam joined the board in December 2025. Bio coming soon!
Eric Wheeler
Eric Wheeler has more than 25 years of experience as an architectural historian and walking tour guide. He has written numerous National Register nominations, taught graduate-level classes in architectural history, and led hundreds of walking tours of historic commercial and residential neighborhoods in Wisconsin and Oregon. Wheeler moved to the Pacific Northwest twelve years ago and continues to explore and interpret the captivating environment of the Lower Columbia region. Eric lives in the historic Shively-McClure district in Astoria and writes a monthly column for Hipfish magazine titled "The Architect Hound". Eric joined the LCPS board in February 2023.
Astonomis grew up in Astoria and is a graduate of Clatsop Community College. She is involved in many student and community organizations and joined our board in the fall of 2020. Previously, she had been an LCPS summer intern and co-produced and hosted The Restoria Podcast, Season One. She currently produces and hosts The Preservanists on KMUN community radio,
Lauri Kramer Serafin - Vice-President/Vice Chair of the Board
Lauri is a native of the Pacific Northwest and spent her professional career in Public Health in Seattle, Washington. She has had an abnormal interest in antiques and old houses from a very young age. A one story Colonial Revival influenced Seattle bungalow was her first experience in old house restoration. The house was largely original and was a victim of deferred maintenance. The house was featured in a neighborhood home tour in 1993 as an intact historic home. In 1997, Lauri and her husband added a historically sensitive half story adding to the house to accommodate a growing family. The current project is the elegant "The Forsstrom House," the historic residence of Dr. Toivo Forsstrom (1867-1945) in Astoria between 1909 and 1945. Her primary retirement project is to preserve the home and legacy of the Forsstroms. Lauri has a passion for historic preservation, historic interior design, antique collecting, a good research project, genealogy and shopping the salvage yards for house parts.
Marcus Lucero - Secretary
Marcus is passionate about preservation and is currently pursuing a degree in Historic Preservation and Restoration from Clatsop Community College. His academic journey encompasses a comprehensive understanding of preservation methodologies, historical conservation techniques, sustainable preservation strategies, and architectural history.
Sean Molloy - Treasurer
A Graduate of Reed College (BA) and Caltech (PhD), Sean grew up and lived/worked in Portland for most of his life. Always fascinated by architecture, history, and art despite not working professionally in these fields, he grew up with an appreciation of antiques and the history and stories they convey about our collective past. Sean spent time in the old neighborhoods of Portland and Pasadena, where he was surrounded by lovely and sometimes grand examples of domestic architecture from the late 1800s through the early 1940s. Seeing some of the more prominent Greene and Greene bungalows while living in SoCal was particularly inspiring. The presence of many lovely old homes from these periods and the area's intriguing history led him to relocate to his turn-of-the-century vernacular Victorian in Astoria's Uniontown.
While not formally trained in preservation, Sean gained practical knowledge of the challenges of old homes through ownership of several properties over the last 30 years, all of which he has repaired and renovated. His professional life as a scientist and administrator also gives him an appreciation for research, grant writing, and various aspects of institutional operations, including finance, facilities, and HR. As a member of the LCPS board and an active participant in programming, Sean hopes to leverage his personal experiences and interests to support LCPS's mission in any way possible. He joined the board in January 2024.
Bob Clay
Bob and his family have long been drawn to Astoria's architectural treasures and spectacular setting. In October of 2024, he and his wife moved here, where they've found a welcoming community with its high level of volunteerism, friendly neighbors, and strong sense of community. They're restoring their 1918 Craftsman bungalow up the hill from the Flavel House. Bob previously supervised the restoration of a 1892 vernacular Queen Anne in Northwest Portland, and he was instrumental in obtaining National Historic District designation for his former neighborhood there. He is drawn to the hand-made craftsmanship and aesthetic qualities of historic architecture.
Bob had a 40-year career in housing and land use planning. He spent 27 years at Portland's Planning Bureau, including ten years as Chief Planner. Long Range Planning and Urban Design. He is a past President of the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Since retiring, Bob had deepened his commitment to architectural heritage. He has led walking tours for Portland's Architectural Heritage Center for more than a decade and has lectured and written about Oregon's first state architect, William C. Knighton. He is now taking a class in historic preservation from Professor John Goodenberger at Clatsop Community College.
Bob has a BA (UC Berkeley) and a Master's degree in urban planning (U of O) and in Public Administration (USC). He can often be found exploring Astoria's nooks and crannies with his dog, Sammie. Bob joined the LCPS board in October 2025.
Sam Peterson
Sam joined the board in December 2025. Bio coming soon!
Eric Wheeler
Eric Wheeler has more than 25 years of experience as an architectural historian and walking tour guide. He has written numerous National Register nominations, taught graduate-level classes in architectural history, and led hundreds of walking tours of historic commercial and residential neighborhoods in Wisconsin and Oregon. Wheeler moved to the Pacific Northwest twelve years ago and continues to explore and interpret the captivating environment of the Lower Columbia region. Eric lives in the historic Shively-McClure district in Astoria and writes a monthly column for Hipfish magazine titled "The Architect Hound". Eric joined the LCPS board in February 2023.
We are currently looking for additional members for our board of directors.
Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering.
Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering.
Lower Columbia Preservation Society
591 12th Street
P.O. Box 1334
Astoria, OR 97103
591 12th Street
P.O. Box 1334
Astoria, OR 97103
971-403-6394
[email protected]
[email protected]
Lower Columbia Preservation Society is an Oregon 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation