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.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
Join us for the 5th annual Archaeology Roadshow in Central Oregon on June 6. The 2026 theme is “Fire & Water,” and the event will feature exhibits and activities hosted by archaeologists and heritage specialists , representing universities, tribes, federal and state agencies, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Learn about ongoing heritage projects and ways you can […]
Gresham History Week is a summer festival for all ages! Explore events, games, tours, and activities all over the Gresham area while learning about the history all around us. History Week commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence by celebrating what makes Gresham unique — its people! Programs will include a city-wide scavenger hunt, live […]
Join Oregon Humanities for a conversation with the extraordinary poet and novelist Naomi Shihab Nye about nations and communities. What makes this nation, the United States, what it is? How do nations change over time, and what moves those changes? How do communities become what we hope them to be? How should we strive to […]
Umatilla County Historical Society (UCHS) will be collecting stories from March 1 through July 4, 2026. Museum staff will attend multiple events around the county to deliver archival paper to communities who wish to participate. On June 27, Heritage Station will host “share your story,” a day set aside for those wishing to contribute their […]
Join us for the 7th annual Archaeology & Culture Keepers Roadshow in Harney County on Saturday, June 27. The 2026 theme is “Fire & Water,” fundamental to the human story for all times and places. The Harney County Cultural Coalition has assembled artisans and craftspeople who will be demonstrating traditional skills such as saddle making and silver […]
Experience five days of action-packed rodeo performances June 30 to July 4 at the St. Paul Rodeo, featuring professional rodeo athletes competing for more than half a million dollars in prize money, carnival rides, food vendors, shopping, live entertainment, and refreshments in our Tack Room Saloon and Outpost Bar. Don’t miss the July 4th parade […]
The Greater Yamhill County U.S. Semiquincentennial Celebration honors 250 years of American independence, civic responsibility, and service. The event highlights the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the hard-fought Revolutionary War that secured our freedom, connecting those historic acts of courage to the continuing service and sacrifices of veterans who have defended that freedom […]
The Sounds of Liberty Program celebrates the Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell, and the ideals they represent. Join the Sons of the American Revolution for a reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by ringing the Liberty Bell replica located on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol in honor of the original 13 […]
The Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce presents a full day of festivities beginning at 11am with an old fashioned parade starting at JFK High School. The fireworks celebration will kick off at 8pm with the Marion County Citizens Band performing an array of classic pieces. GiggleBritches the clown will be providing balloon twisting for the […]
Join your neighbors for a nationwide communal meal on Sunday, July 5, 2026, as part of America250 Utah’s “America’s Potluck.” This initiative invites communities to slow down, share food, and connect across differences — fostering belonging, conversation, and unity. Inspired by the tradition of Sunday dinner, participants are encouraged to host or co-host a potluck […]
