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.
Crossroads Carnegie Art Center is excited to host a Poster & Literary Contest to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This contest is open to everyone in and around Baker County. The goal of the contest is for participants to analyze their own thoughts and feelings about America, what it […]
In 2026, the United States marks its 250th birthday with the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. What did the events of 1776 mean to the people living in the Mid-Willamette Valley? In this multi-part, multi-disciplinary exhibit, we will explore how echoes from the year 1776 continue to be heard in our community. […]
The Minidoka National Historic Site was officially established in 2001 as part of the National Park Service after years of Japanese American advocacy. This exhibition celebrates 25 years of preservation at this site where many Nikkei from Oregon and Washington were incarcerated during World War II. Artwork by survivors, descendants, and Japanese American youth explore […]
Cities are built upon layered histories. The Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other peoples lived on, traveled through, and cared for this land long before Portland existed. Their stewardship sustained communities for thousands of years, guided by deep ecological knowledge and cultural relationships with the environment. White settlement in […]
Waves of Tradition celebrates the diverse maritime traditions and scenic beauty that shaped Oregon’s South Coast in conjunction with the United States’ 250th anniversary. Highlights include local cultural connections to the shipbuilding and fishing industries as well as traditional festivals, legends, and superstitions. Event Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible venue Accessible parking Sensory-friendly accommodations Service animals welcome
Step into a world where nature-themed prints meet Portland Japanese Garden’s springtime vibrance in Enduring Impressions: Contemporary Woodblock Prints. Featuring the art of mokuhanga (木版画), Japanese-style woodblock printmaking, this exhibition reveals how a centuries-old tradition is experiencing a contemporary revival as artists around the world use the quiet power and unique characteristics of woodblock printmaking to create captivating works of art.
The History Museum of Hood River County opens for the season on March 7, 2026, with The Pursuit of Happiness, a photo exhibition by Oregon photographer Peter Marbach. In celebration of Oregon’s diverse beauty and spirit, the America 250 Oregon Commission contracted with Marbach to showcase the essence of Oregon and its vibrant communities. The Pursuit […]
“America the Beautiful” may be America’s most beloved song. But few know about the fascinating life of the writer behind it. From Sea to Shining Sea: Katharine Lee Bates and the Story of “America the Beautiful” explores the rich life of poet, professor, and social reformer Katharine Lee Bates, author of "America the Beautiful.” As we approach […]
Join Oregon Humanities on Tuesday, March 31 at 7pm for a conversation about the changing role of religious spaces in Oregon. Guests Frank So, director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon; Rev. Amy Jayne of Cove Ascension School and Conference Center; and Brandon Rhodes, D.Min. of Coburg Commons will join Adam Davis onstage in La Grande to explore how faith communities across the state […]
Crossroads Carnegie Art Center is proud to dedicate its April Open Theme Show to “This Land is Your Land” in collaboration with Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center in Union, Oregon, who will be offering two purchase awards for $500 each: “Pastoral and Range Landscape” and “The Ranch Lifestyle” awards. Crossroads Carnegie Art Center is celebrating […]
The Salem Art Association’s Heritage Talks series continues on Friday, April 3 with speaker Dr. Russell Low as he explores his family’s struggle to establish roots and pursue their dreams in a world of Chinese exclusion. The little-known, decades-long partnership between the Hop Lee and Bush families in Salem reveals a powerful story of friendship […]
Join Oregon Humanities on April 7 at 7pm for a conversation with Hélène Landemore, author of Politics Without Politicians, on what democracy must become to meet the complexity, speed, and scale of today’s world. As democratic institutions in the U.S. and around the world come under increasing strain, Landemore invites us to consider what it would take […]
Public lands are a tangible aspect of life in the American West. What are the origins of public lands and how have debates over their use shaped the West? Historian, author and associate professor at Colorado State University Leisl Carr Childers will discuss the history of public lands from the American Revolution to today. Doors open at 6pm, program begins at 6:30pm. About […]
The Revolutionary War Memorial Dedication will unveil a new and unique memorial in Oregon and the western United States that honors the soldiers and patriots that sacrificed their lives and fortunes to achieve American independence, liberty, and freedom. The Memorial is a permanent addition to the Beaverton Veterans Memorial Park designed to honor America’s first […]
Susan Kamei’s family members were among the over 120,000 Japanese Americans forcibly detained during World War II. Her book, When Can We Go Back to America?, grapples with contradictions between the ideas this country was founded on and the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans. Kamei will explore the constitutional, historical, and political ramifications for citizenship and what […]
Join Oregon Humanities April 30 in Mt. Angel for a conversation with Joaquín Lara Midkiff, Reyna López, and Ramón Ramírez. This program will explore how the mid-Willamette has been home to powerful farmworker and solidarity movements that transformed the lives of migrant laborers and reshaped Oregon's political and economic landscape. This conversation is part of […]
