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. […]
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
Oregon Contemporary Artists’ Biennial is a survey of works by visual and performing artists who are defining and advancing Oregon’s contemporary art landscape. The exhibition is supplemented by a series of interdisciplinary programming and events. The Price of the Ticket will explore the interconnected themes of place, power, and promise, especially as they relate to […]
Music in the Pines is La Pine’s community concert series, offering live music, local food, vendors, and relaxed summer evenings in the beautiful outdoor setting of La Pine Parks and Recreation. Featuring local bands and community-centered activities, the series gives residents and visitors a true taste of La Pine’s culture, creativity, and natural beautity — […]
In honor of Independence Day and the America 250 Oregon commemoration, OHS is hosting a special display of what is believed to be the first United States flag raised in Portland after Oregon became the 33rd state. The flag was hand-sewn by Ann Elizabeth Bills in 1861, donated to OHS in 1911, and preserved in […]
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 […]
2026 marks the nation’s 250th anniversary as well as the 50th anniversary of the termination of Executive Order 9066. As we reflect on these two milestones, what does democracy mean when it is denied, challenged, and ultimately restored? For the Japanese Americans featured in this exhibition, the answer was to fight injustice with action. Learn […]
Since Oregon's founding in 1859, Jews have participated in public life—building towns and holding office in the nineteenth century, advocating for civil rights, immigrant communities, and social justice in the decades that followed. Drawing from the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education’s collections, How We Show Up shares the stories of early Jewish […]
One Nation Exhibition brings together contemporary artists who explore the ideals and contradictions embedded in the American promise. Drawing on the national motto E Pluribus Unum, “Out of Many, One,” the exhibition reflects on how a diverse society strives toward unity while confronting social, political, and cultural divisions. Through painting, photography, sculpture, textile, and mixed […]
As part of America's 250 celebration, Voices of Service is a special podcast online exhibition that preserves and shares the personal stories of Oregon veterans and active-duty service members. Each recorded interview explores the motivations, experiences, sacrifices, and lessons of military service while highlighting the lasting impact these individuals have on their communities. The exhibition […]
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 […]
Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate is a dedicated American Indian classical composer and pianist who expresses his native culture in symphonic music, ballet, and opera. His compositions have been commissioned by major North American orchestras and ensembles, and his works are performed throughout the world. Oregon Bach Festival 2026 presents the world premiere of his Friendship Songs […]
America is a land of many traditions, cultures, and voices that come together to create something entirely new. In this special collaboration, the Oregon Bach Festival and Chamber Music Northwest honor our country’s incredibly diverse musical heritage and rich tapestry of traditions by weaving Dvořák’s American Quintet with groundbreaking works by the innovative Henry Cowell […]
Gather your friends and put your knowledge of America's semiquincentennial to the test! Teams of up to six people are invited to join us for a trivia night in at 1188 Brewery in John Day. Questions will be curated from our local historians, archaeologists and museum staff. They will exemplify all that is great about […]
Journey across America with two powerful musical visions. Antonín Dvořák’s beloved ‘New World’ Symphony captures the excitement and yearning of a land of promise. Inspired by American landscapes and folk tunes, it blends soaring melodies and lush orchestration to paint a majestic musical portrait of discovery and enduring spirit. The profound and nostalgic work is […]
Experience World War I through the eyes of an ordinary American soldier in Sapper: Sgt. Wayne Woodruff and the Great War, a special exhibition at the Woodburn Museum. Discover the story of combat engineer Sgt. Wayne Woodruff through personal artifacts, including his unlaundered trench coat, training manuals, and pocket Bible, offering a powerful glimpse into […]
Join the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes baseball team for a two-day patriotic! The event will honor military personnel and veterans and is presented in coordination with Major General Julie Bentz, Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark, the National Guard, and countless other military personnel. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes have been hosting Patriotic Tributes for 20 years and won Minor League Baseball’s […]
Join the Columbia River Maritime Museum on July 3, 2026, as educator Julia Triezenberg discusses the history of Columbia River canneries, their impact on coastal communities, and the legacy they leave behind. The first cannery on the Columbia River was established by brothers William and George Hume and their partner, Andrew Hapgood, in 1866. Less than […]
Jon Lee is fourth-generation Chinese American musician and storyteller whose songs explore the people, places, and histories of the Pacific Northwest. He loves to share his music with any listening audience. Memorable gigs have taken him to the Liberty Theatre in Astoria, the Wallowa County Courthouse, the French Glenn Hotel, the Matlock Grange Hall, and […]
History Bricks Its LEGO™ meets history this July 4th as we celebrate America’s 250th by exploring historic landmarks of Deschutes County. We are inviting community members to explore, learn about, and recreate the distinctive architectural landscape of historic Deschutes County. Participants will learn about the origins of our historic landmarks, the people and places behind […]
A full day of July 4th events in Wallowa! Beginning with a breakfast at Wallowa's American Legion Hall, following by a parade, street fair, and a decorated cake contest in honor of America's 250th Birthday (with prizes awarded and cake shared after judging is complete). Additional activities include a display of Honor Quilts made by […]
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 […]
For more than 60 years, Wallowa's Old Time 4th of July Parade has brought together community members and visitors from across Oregon and beyond to celebrate Independence Day. This year's celebration is especially meaningful as we honor America's 250 birthday with hopes of welcoming more parade entries than ever before. The event features a hometown […]
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 […]
The Oregon Supreme Court invites the public to attend free tours of its historic building every Tuesday in July from noon to 1 p.m. Learn about and view Oregon's oldest continuously operating government building, where the Oregon Supreme Court first convened on Feb. 14, 1914 — Oregon’s birthday. Located next to the Oregon State Capitol, […]
On July 8, 2026, communities across the nation and territories will unite in a nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence, commemorating its first public reading in 1776. “Sharing the Spirit of America” invites Americans to come together — despite spanning 9,500 miles and nine time zones — to read the Declaration at the same […]
Sharing the Spirit of America is a nationwide America250 program to read the Declaration of Independence simultaneously across the United States and territories on the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. The reading will take place at 3pm on July 8, 2026, at the Oregon […]
Right of Passage – Imagine Your Future We invite young adults with disabilities to reflect on identity, belonging, and the evolving meaning of the American Dream by creating vision boards. Right of Passage supports young adults with disabilities, their families, and allies to plan real pathways for independence. During this event, participants will build creative collages […]
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (NHOTIC), with thanks to the James and Marion Miller Foundation, will host an “Oregon Folklife Residency,” a 7-month partnership with the Oregon Folklife Network. Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, the friends organization for NHOTIC, reached out to the Oregon Folklife Network to develop a plan to bring Oregon Cultural […]
Music in the Pines is La Pine’s community concert series, offering live music, local food, vendors, and relaxed summer evenings in the beautiful outdoor setting of La Pine Parks and Recreation. Featuring local bands and community-centered activities, the series gives residents and visitors a true taste of La Pine’s culture, creativity, and natural beautity — […]
Conductors Gemma New and Anton Armstrong combine forces for a thrilling exploration of contemporary American music. The evening features Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue, with pianist Conrad Tao — hailed as “ magician at the keyboard” by the Boston Globe. The program also includes Margaret Bonds’ profound and moving Credo, the third iteration of the […]
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, trace the story of the nation’s rise on a journey with Oregon Military Museum Project through Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Begin in Boston, where the American Revolution took root and venture to nearby Lexington and Concord, where the “shot heard ’round the world” was fired. Explore […]
In 1967, parimutuel horse racing was added to the line-up of Crooked River Roundup events. In the early years, the weeklong Roundup featured horse racing from Wednesday through Saturday, followed by the rodeo on Saturday and Sunday. As the Crooked River Roundup grew, the rodeo and the races were eventually split into separate attractions, each […]
Please join the Japanese American Museum of Oregon for a special book club discussion with Erica Naito-Campbell, author of Portland’s Audacious Champion. Hear from the author, engage in a discussion of this compelling book together, and enjoy locally produced Willamette Valley wines from Et Fille. The museum will also be open before the book talk […]
Discover the story of one family's connection to Oregon's Chinese American heritage. Linda Lung is a dedicated historian, genealogist, and lineal descendant of early Chinese pioneers who shaped the American West. In collaboration with regional preservation projects, she uses her family's rich oral histories, photographs, and artifacts to illuminate the forgotten stories of the Pacific […]
The iconic Astoria Column, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most recognizable landmarks, will celebrate its centennial in July 2026, marking 100 years since its dedication in 1926. Completed in 1926, the Astoria Column was inspired by Rome’s Trajan Column and built to commemorate the pioneering spirit of the Pacific Northwest and the founding of Astoria […]
For nearly a century, the Jefferson County Fair has celebrated the people, agriculture, and traditions that define our community. First held in September 1931, the inaugural fair was such an important community event that local schools closed for two days so families could attend. Many of the same elements of the first fair continue to […]
The Oregon Chinese Diaspora Project is an award-winning, multi-agency statewide collaboration that uses community archaeology and public history to uncover the stories of Chinese communities across Oregon. The project has investigated railroad and mining camps, Chinatowns, and more. In this presentation, Chelsea Rose will share recent findings from ongoing research, including investigations into the lives […]
Cruise the Rogue is Southern Oregon's premier all-genre automotive festival, held in Historic Downtown Grants Pass and Riverside Park. Now in its inaugural year as a full festival, the event continues a 15-year cruise tradition that has attracted participants from across the Pacific Northwest. The four-day festival from July 23–26, 2026, include a Show & […]
Music in the Pines is La Pine’s community concert series, offering live music, local food, vendors, and relaxed summer evenings in the beautiful outdoor setting of La Pine Parks and Recreation. Featuring local bands and community-centered activities, the series gives residents and visitors a true taste of La Pine’s culture, creativity, and natural beautity — […]
The Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo is Central Oregon’s premier summer tradition, bringing together community, culture, and western heritage for an unforgettable, multi-day celebration. The largest country fair in Oregon, it showcases the very best of the region from agriculture and livestock to arts, entertainment, and family-friendly fun for all ages. This year’s fair runs […]
Community Conversation: What Does It Mean to Be American? is presented in partnership with Oregon Humanities and community weaver Chisao Hata, this conversation will explore when and how we define ourselves as an “American.” Does knowing the Constitution make us American? Does living on land controlled by the United States of America make us American? […]
