History Hub

Children at Swan Island refugee center set up by the Red Cross after the Vanport Flood, 1948. OrHi 90661. Photographs: Portland - NE Neighborhoods - Vanport [graphic]; Photo file #1689-A; 1948/05

  • Free for Members
  • Family-friendly
  • Teachers
  • Handicap Accessible Friendly

Location:
Oregon Historical Society
1200 SW Park Ave
Portland, Oregon 97205
Get Directions

History Hub is an exhibit where Oregon’s youth, students, and families can explore the topic of diversity through fun, hands-on interactives, objects, and pictures. History Hub is developed in partnership with an advisory committee of students, teachers, cultural organizations, and museums to tell the stories of people who live in Oregon, today and in the past. The content of History Hub spans grades K-12 with a focus on 4th – 8th grade.

The History Hub content will change every three years and OHS will partner with cultural organizations and museums across Oregon to share their stories in History Hub. From 2016 to 2019 our partners for History Hub are the Oregon Black Pioneers, Portland Public Schools Indian Education Program, and the Southern Oregon Historical Society.

History Hub examines the following questions:

  • Who is an Oregonian?
  • Where in the world do Oregonians come from?
  • How has discrimination and segregation affected people who live in Oregon?
  • What do objects say about our past?
  • How have Oregonians made a difference in our communities?
  • How can you make Oregon a great place for everyone?

 

“We may have different religions,
different languages,
different colored skin,
but we all belong to one human race.”

–Kofi Annan (Ghanian Diplomat, 7th UN Secretary General, 2001 Nobel Peace Prize Winner)

History Hub Meadowlark

Meet Sunshine, the History Hub Western Meadowlark!

As you explore History Hub, you will be guided through Oregon history by Sunshine, a spunky Western Meadowlark. The Western Meadowlark was named the Oregon State Bird by the Oregon Audubon Society in 1927, after winning a contest among schoolchildren by a large margin. You can learn more about the Western Meadowlark from the Oregon Encyclopedia!

History Hub Wins 2017 AASLH Leadership in History Award

American Association for State and Local History Leadership in History Award

History Hub, the first exhibit designed for kids at OHS, was selected to win a 2017 Award of Merit, Leadership in History Award through the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). The AASLH Leadership in History Award is the nation's most prestigious competition for recognition of achievement in state and local history. OHS is one of 17 institutions nationally to receive an award in the exhibits category, and the only winner in the state of Oregon. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.

AASLH bestows Leadership in History Awards to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all Americans. By publicly recognizing superior and innovative achievements, the Leadership in History Awards serve as an inspiration to others in the field. AASLH maintains the awards program to recognize Good History that changes people's lives by helping them make connections with the past.

The winners will accept their awards at a special banquet during the 2017 AASLH Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas this fall.  

A big thank you to the advisory committee and our partner organizations for their hard work on this award-winning exhibit!

 

2016 – 2019 Partner Organizations

Oregon Black Pioneers

The Oregon Black Pioneers (OBP) is an all-volunteer nonprofit based in Salem, Oregon and became incorporated in 1994.  The Oregon Black Pioneers mission is to educate the general public, celebrate and give honor to honor the prolific journey of African Americans in Oregon. Our vision is to be the premier resource for Oregon's African American culture and heritage information.  Exhibitions, lectures, bus tours, publications, and historic preservation are some of the methods used by OBP to interpret and document Oregon's African American history. www.oregonblackpioneers.org

Oregon Black Pioneers 

Portland Public Schools Indian Education Program

The mission of Title VI Indian Education is to enhance the educational achievement and Native cultural awareness of American Indian & Alaska Native students in Portland Public Schools. Currently there are over 650 students representing 115 federally recognized tribes enrolled in the program. Indian Education delivers a rich array of year round services and opportunities for students in grades Pre-K through 12. With an extensive collection of books and other media resources, Indian Education staff are eager to provide culturally responsive curriculum and instructional support to classroom teachers. www.pps.net/indian-education

Portland Public Schools Indian Education Program 

Southern Oregon Historical Society

Established in 1946, the Southern Oregon Historical Society's mission is to make history come alive by collecting, preserving and sharing the stories and artifacts of our common heritage. SOHS cares for the largest artifact collection and archival repository in the state focused entirely on documenting the human experience in the Southern Oregon region. Also managed by SOHS is Hanley Farm, a 37-acre historic property that provides a look at more than a century of Rogue Valley agricultural life. www.sohs.org

Southern Oregon Historical Society 

bb003727 Princesses of happy canyon

Princesses of Happy Canyon in 1964, Donna Minthorn (left) and Sophia Bearchum, pose in traditional regalia. Happy Canyon is an Indian pageant and Wild West show that takes place yearly in Pendleton, Oregon. 

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Cheryl Juetten photo
bb014540 Children of migrant workers

Children of migrant workers sit on a bench awaiting their turn to have their eyes examined by health workers in Washington County, 1964.

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Cheryl Juetten photo
bb014372 Becoming American Citizens

Valerie Hong (left) age 7, and her sister Natalie, age 4, from Hong Kong China, become American citizens. The American flag is held by Staff Sgt. Erwin Logan during their Americanization reception in 1964.

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Cheryl Juetten photo
bb014776 Chemawa Indian Boarding School

Indian youth at Chemawa Indian Boarding School wear western clothing, 1886.

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Cheryl Juetten photo
bb005636 Migrant families playing softball

Migrant farm workers at a labor camp enjoy a game of softball in 1961. The families play softball in the evening after they finish their work in the fields.

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Cheryl Juetten photo
bb014213 Working at a salmon cannery

A child and two men pack Bon Bon brand salmon cans in a cannery in Astoria, Oregon.

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Cheryl Juetten photo
bb014693 Vanport Lunch Line

An unidentified woman uses a cash register at the Vanport School cafeteria, ca. 1943.

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Cheryl Juetten photo
bb001715 Willis Andrew Teaches

Willis Andrew Williams teaches a class at Failing School in Southwest Portland ca. 1952. He was also the vice principal at that school.

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Cheryl Juetten photo
bb009688 Chinese students

Chinese graduate students from China arrive in Portland to attend colleges and universities in the U.S.

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Cheryl Juetten photo
bb003450 Students demonstrate clean rivers

Mayor Joseph Carson demonstrates with students for a clean river measure. They hold band instruments and placards, 1938.

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Cheryl Juetten photo
bb014537 Hal Webbers wrangler band

Hal Webber's Juvenile Wranglers Band. Four young boys hold a banjo, guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, date unknown.

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Cheryl Juetten photo
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