Did you know we’re not the only small town of McMinnville? There’s another McMinnville located in Oregon named after our beloved city.
According to Oregon Geographic Names, it was named by its founder, McMinnville, Tenn., native William T. Newby (1820–1884), an early immigrant on the Oregon Trail.
Using this bit of history, Chamber of Commerce president Mandy Eller shared a video proposal idea in partnership with Visit McMinnville, Ore. with the Tourism Development Board.
“What we are wanting to do is show how McMinnville, Tenn., and McMinnville, Ore., can have similarities and that we are very far apart and very different culturally, but we have a lot of different points of connectivity,” said Eller. “Our ultimate hope is to get couples from each location to visit the other McMinnville and do video similarly to Design Sensory highlighting our community.”
Two previous marketing videos released by the Tourism Board last year promote Warren County by highlighting places like Collins River, Cumberland Caverns and Rock Island State Park. These videos can be seen on different platforms, including the city’s website.
Combined, those two videos costed $32,000. The Tourism Development Board is an entity of the city of McMinnville and is funded through taxpayer dollars.
As for the new video project, Eller said they are trying to determine cost and vendor pricing.
“We think it could be up to like $40,000 just because of the travel, but we are going to try to keep it lower than that,” said Eller.
In the proposed McMinnville, Tenn. – McMinnville, Ore. video, potential points of connection to be featured could include caves – wine cellars and Cumberland Caverns, agritourism – winegrowing and and nurseries, and wellness – Oregon forest bathing and Isha Institute.
“We both have charming historic downtowns with theaters,” said Eller. “We are also both close to hot tourist destinations like Portland, Nashville and Chattanooga.”
Tourism Development Board member Chad McGee suggested incorporating a family element into the video.
“Many of the founders of McMinnville, Oregon were from Tennessee so there should be conceivably distant relatives … so if you could find a couple of couples that were related, that would be a cool angle,” said McGee.
Eller will provide more information when available.
About McMinnville, Oregon
McMinnville is the heart of Oregon’s wine country. Historic brick downtown buildings are shaded by broadleaf trees. A small college is within walking distance. The city has a moderate four-season climate ideal for growing classic wine grapes and for enjoying outdoor activities most of the year.
The town was founded in 1843 by William Newby, a pioneer who came west from McMinnville, Tenn., and opened a grist mill which became the town’s main industry.
McMinnville is now prospering as appreciation of Oregon premium wines has resulted in more than 50 wineries. The town’s infrastructure has kept up with its growth, with colorful gardens, park and recreation facilities, museums and other public buildings blending with the historic heritage. Upscale shops, restaurants and lodgings are located both downtown and in outlying areas.
