Over the past 50 years, the Urban Tour Group has received impressive recognition ranging from several local newspaper articles highlighting UTG and its tours to magazine articles as well as civic awards and honors.
Awards and Honors
- In 1984, the Historical Landmarks Commission awarded UTG with its Certificate of Merit. The Certificate of Merit stated, “For outstanding public service especially to our citizens in broadening awareness of Portland’s heritage and its unique urban environment.”
- In 1986, the Salem-Keizer School District presented UTG with its Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Service to Children.
- In 1990, Mayor Bud Clark issued a proclamation for UTG’s 20th anniversary of “Outstanding and meaningful service to Oregon school children and Portland.”
- In 1995, the Association for Portland Progress presented the UTG on its 25th anniversary a Certificate of Appreciation for “Your contribution to a healthy, well-maintained and attractive downtown is appreciated.”
- In 1995, Mayor Vera Katz issued a proclamation for its 25th anniversary of “Outstanding and meaningful service to Oregon school children and Portland.”
- In 1999, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International honored UTG “For excellence in action for community service.”
- In 2008 UTG was nominated for the Oregon Governor’s Award “For our outstanding volunteer program.”
- In 2010, to honor UTS’s 40th anniversary, a proclamation was issued by the office of Mayor Sam Adams acknowledging “The outstanding service provided by UTG to the community over the last 40 years.”
- In 2020, Mayor Ted Wheeler issued a proclamation honoring “ UTG’s 50 years of service to school children and the city of Portland.”
- In 2020, Senator Ron Wyden presented UTG with a Letter of Appreciation stating “I write to congratulate you on the 50thAnniversary of the Urban Tour Group! Since 1970, Urban Tour Group’s volunteers have helped young people learn about Portland’s history. This unique program educates students and helps instill a deeper understanding of their community – with more than 190,000 children from nine school districts having participated over 50 years.”
Magazine Articles
Magazine articles featuring the Urban Tour Group appeared first in Sunset Magazine as early as 1974. That article, entitled A Walk in Downtown Portland…”the urban environment as a sensuous experience”, focused on the early years of UTG presenting its first two tours, City Environmental and Old Town. In 1982, the Portland Magazine told the story of UTG’s founding through a lively article with pictures entitled, “It’s All Here: Places to go/sights to see/things to do.” The Walking Magazine in 1991 wrote about walking tours in downtown Portland and the Urban Tour Group was highlighted for its comprehensive tours of the city. In conjunction with its 25th anniversary in 1995, Sunset Magazine presented information about the three tours now offered by UTG, City Environmental, Old Town, and Mall Tour.
The Press
There have been numerous articles about the UTG in the local press, especially The Oregonian during its early years of development. All of these article helped launch UTG’s service to the Portland area and to continue to tell the story of UTG by featuring its tours, its volunteers, and its community service to students and adults. Several of these articles are included to provide examples of these many positive stories of UTG and the tours it provides.