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 […]
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 […]
Athanasios (Tom) Efthimiou Stefopoulos was a factory worker, railroad man, commercial artist, and a champion penman. Art was his first love, but pursuing this was difficult for a young immigrant in an adopted country where he did not even speak the language. In 1945, he was employed by the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railroad to […]
Join the Oregon Historical Society for the 2026 Mark O. Hatfield Lecture Series, featuring four powerful voices exploring democracy, human rights, identity, and revolution. This year’s speakers include Keisha Blain, Michael Luo, Megan Kate Nelson, and Pulitzer Prize–winner Rick Atkinson. Rick Atkinson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight narrative histories about five American […]
In partnership with the Oregon Historical Society’s Mark O. Hatfield Lecture Series and the official America 250 Oregon statewide commemoration, Deschutes Historical Museum is proud to host a special event with Pulitzer Prize–winning author Rick Atkinson. Atkinson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight narrative histories about five American wars, including The […]
In partnership with the Oregon Historical Society’s Mark O. Hatfield Lecture Series and the official America 250 Oregon statewide commemoration, Southern Oregon Historical Society is proud to host a special event with Pulitzer Prize–winning author Rick Atkinson. Atkinson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight narrative histories about five American wars, including […]
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with three days of aviation excellence at the 2026 Oregon International Air Show. Experience thrilling demonstrations from the USAF F-35A Lightning II Demo Team, U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Demo Team, and the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing F-15 Eagles. The USAF Academy’s Wings of Blue parachute team and world-class aerobatic […]
OHS presents “Oregon Connections: A Conversation Series on the Right to be Free,” an all-virtual program series featuring conversations among experts and with audience members. Although many of the decisions that affect people’s access to rights such as freedom of speech, citizenship, and due process are made at the federal level, it is often on […]
The Matthew O’Connor Murphy House Museum that is maintained by the St. Paul Mission Historical Society (SPMHS) will be open for touring from 11am to 3pm on May 23 and May 24. Parts of the house date from 1852, and visitors will have the opportunity to view historically significant St. Paul/French Prairie artifacts, ranging from […]
Join Mt. Angel’s Memorial Day celebration, featuring patriotic music by Marion County Citizens Band, presentation of colors, welcome remarks by Mt. Angel Mayor Joe Pfau, celebration of mass, reading of the names of the fallen, flyover, reading of In Flanders Fields, placement of Memorial Wreath, three volley salute, and the sounding of TAPS. Join Mt. […]
Join us for the 14th annual Archaeology Roadshow in Portland on Saturday, May 30. Immerse yourself in the heritage of our region while engaging with over 30 pop-up exhibits and hands-on activities hosted by agencies, tribes, college students, and cultural organizations that work in heritage, history, and archaeology. The 2026 theme is “Fire & Water,” fundamental […]
