Members of the Yasui family were among the millions of immigrants who came to the United States seeking new opportunities during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like many Issei (first-generation Japanese immigrants), they experienced racism and oppression; state and federal laws prevented Japanese immigrants from owning land, and anti-Japanese organizations sought to strip Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) of their birthright citizenship. Yet Nikkei (Japanese immigrants and their descendants) like the Yasui family persisted in establishing roots in Oregon, starting families and businesses, and shaping the social and economic fabric of the communities where they lived.
The Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center is a public/private entity owned by the people of Oregon. The Fair began in 1861 in Oregon City. In 1862, the Fair moved to the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, the State Capitol. The Center hosts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year, with premier concerts, art, culture, rides, agricultural exhibits, and livestock exhibits. Throughout the year, the Fair and Exposition Center works with multiple agencies to help facilitate emergency and disaster response needs.
