Events Calendar
 What's Happening? From our interactive museum exhibits to our Research Library to our premier meeting and event space, there's always something fun happening at the Oregon Historical Society. See below for upcoming events.
January - April 2012 Calendar of Events click here (PDF) Genealogy Workshop Series: Dig into Your Roots! “Advanced Records & Methodology” Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m. – Noon Cost: $15 for members, $20 for non members RSVP: libreference@ohs.org or 503-306-5240 (Space is limited so sign up soon!)
So, you have finished researching in the basic genealogy records and want to know more. Or, perhaps you are missing pieces of your genealogy like your great-great grandparents’ marriage date. Come learn how to expand your resources to include uncommon, yet essential, genealogical records. We will tie it up with a case study to help you on your way to family history success!
February 11th Program: Probate & Wills, Military Records, Land Records & Tax Lists, and Court Records. Oregon History Idol Contest Presented by OHS and the Portland Trail Blazers Tryouts on Sunday, February 12 at the Oregon Historical Society Registration from 1:30 - 2 PM, Auditions begin at 2 PM
Think you’ve got what it takes to be the first “Oregon History Idol?” Then sign up to enter a brand new singing contest presented by the Oregon Historical Society and the Portland Trail Blazers. The individual who is crowned “Oregon History Idol” will receive the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing our state song, “Oregon, My Oregon,” at the Blazer game on Oregon’s birthday. The Blazers will be taking on the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, February 14 at 7 PM.
Interested contestants should come to the Oregon Historical Society (1200 SW Park Ave., Portland 97205) on Sunday, February 12, where we will be hosting an afternoon of tryouts. Registration is from 1:30 – 2 PM, and auditions will begin at 2 PM. Each contestant will be asked to sing the first stanza of “Oregon, My Oregon,” and finalists will be selected for a final sing-off to see who will be crowned “Oregon History Idol,” and sing at center court of the Rose Garden Arena. Please email communications@ohs.org with any questions about the contest. Talented Oregonians - start working on your vocal exercises and get ready to show your state pride at the Oregon Historical Society on February 12.
Print the lyrics to "Oregon, My Oregon" click here (PDF)
Learn about the history of the song "Oregon, My Oregon" on the Oregon History Project. Oregon Statehood Day: Free Admission Tuesday, February 14th
Help Oregon celebrate its 153rd birthday by coming to OHS for free! We will be cutting Oregon's birthday cake at noon with our special guests, past Governors Victor Atiyeh and Barbara Roberts. We will also be unveiling brand new additions to the Treasures of the Vault exhibit, extended through April 1. Free Day and Family Day Saturday, February 18, activities from 11 AM – 3 PM, free admission all day
Enjoy free admission at the February Family Day celebrating Latino culture! Be one of the first to visit Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 1942–1964, a bilingual exhibit created by the Smithsonian. Videos, children’s activities, gallery talks, and other exciting entertainment will take place throughout the day to celebrate the opening of Bittersweet Harvest. Families are invited to talk with representatives from local Latino organizations who will be hosting information tables in the OHS Pavilion. Children will love to take a swing at our piñata at noon, and then enjoy a tasty cupcake to celebrate Oregon’s birthday week! Sunday Lecture: Barbara Roberts On her autobiography, Up the Capitol Steps Sunday, February 19, 2 PM
Barbara Roberts forever earned herself a place in Oregon history when, in 1990, she became the first woman elected to serve as Governor of Oregon. Prior to her service as Governor, Roberts also served in the Oregon House of Representatives, and as Oregon Secretary of State. OHS Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk will interview Governor Roberts about her remarkable life and career, and she will share readings from her new autobiography, Up the Capitol Steps, which will be available for purchase and signing. Let It Rain: Oregon Music Past and Present Oregon Rocks Closing Concert and CD Release Party Presented by PDX Pop Now and OHS Sunday, February 19, 6 – 10 PM
Live music by: Arrow of Light Napalm Beach Ancient Heat
$10 admission includes copy of the Let it Rain CD, featuring covers of classic Oregon music by modern bands: Ancient Heat/Pleasure Arrow of Light/Quasi Atole/Smegma Grouper/Dead Moon Kelli Schaeffer/Lollipop Shoppe Rollerball/Hazel Red Fang/Wipers Rabbits/Poison Idea Witch Mountain/Calamity Jane
OHS members receive a $3 discount on tickets – just use the discount code “oregon rocks” at checkout. Tickets can be purchased through the Portland Mercury click here. Lynn Sherr: “Susan B. Anthony: Swimming to Suffrage” Tuesday, February 21 at 7 PM At the First Congregational Church
Lynn Sherr is a correspondent with the ABC News magazine 20/20. She is the author of numerous books including Failure Is Impossible: Susan B. Anthony in Her Own Words, America the Beautiful: The Stirring True Story Behind Our Nation’s Favorite Song and is co-author of Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women’s Landmarks. Her latest book is Peter Jennings: A Reporter’s Life, an oral biography of the late ABC News anchor, of which she is co-editor. Sunday Lecture: “The Envelope Please: Oregon Goes To the Oscars” Presented by Anne Richardson Sunday, February 26, 2 PM
Three Oregon directors have thanked the Academy from the stage, and another four have received multiple nominations. Anne Richardson, director of Oregon Cartoon Institute and publisher of Oregon Movies, A to Z, will walk us through Oregon's impressive Oscar history. History Pub: Arcy Douglas and Daniel Benzali “Portland and the Art of Mark Rothko” Monday, February 27, 7 PM At McMenamins Kennedy School Free and open to the public
One of the most celebrated artists associated with Abstract Expressionism in the United States, Mark Rothko (born Marcus Rothkowitz) spent his childhood in Portland and graduated in 1921 from Lincoln High School. He had his first major museum show at the Portland Art Museum in 1933. In a special program by the Portland Art Museum and Portland Center Stage, Portland-based artist Arcy Douglas and LA-based actor Daniel Benzali, (who will be portraying Mark Rothko in the PCS production of Red), will be sharing their research on this local artist. History Pub is a free event for all ages, and canned food will be accepted for the Oregon Food Bank. “Women’s Suffrage, Political Responsiveness, and Child Survival in American History” Free Public Lecture presented by Dr. Grant Miller Friday, March 16, Noon
Dr. Grant Miller, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and by Courtesy, of Economics and of Health Research and Policy, at Stanford School of Medicine will give a public presentation of his research into the connections among "Women's Suffrage, Political Responsiveness, and Child Survival in American History." He will be giving a brown-bag lunch talk at noon in the OHS pavilion. This program is part of the Oregon Historical Society's work to commemorate the 2012 centennial of woman suffrage in Oregon. The History and Science of the Cocktail Wednesday, April 4, 6 – 8 PM Free and open to the public
Join us for a special free event at OHS where you will learn the history and the science behind the cocktail. Enjoy food and drink samples, sponsored by Canadian Mist. Titanic 1912: A Musical Night to Remember Sponsored in partnership with the First Congregational Church Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 PM and matinée on Sunday, April 15 at 2:30 PM $15 admission, with discount for members of the First Congregational Church and OHS
What did they really sing as the great ship went down? You'll find out the weekend of April 14-15, on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of RMS "Titanic". First Congregational Church organist Grant Edwards, an expert in Titanic's musical lore, has collected a fascinating cross-section of music written shortly after the 1912 sinking. From descriptive piano fantasies to forgotten masterworks for the organ, from reverent choral anthems to campy popular ditties, this concert will explore a diversity of works commemorating and eulogizing the most infamous maritime tragedy of all time. Michael Kelly will conduct a special "RMS Chamber Choir" and soloists Kim Swennes, Joshua Randall, Nan Wagner, and Lindsey & Greg McMahon will sing popular songs from the period, including "Land of Hope and Glory," "The Ship That Will Never Return," and "My Sweetheart Went Down with the Ship." We're pulling out ALL the stops for this, and many more surprises await. Ticket reservations and further details will become available at a later date. This promises to be a musical "Night to Remember.” Want to be the first to find out about new events and exhibits at OHS? Sign up for our e-mail list Oregon Experience From historical biographies to issues and events that have shaped our state, Oregon Experience is an exciting television series co-produced by OPB and the Oregon Historical Society. The series explores Oregon's rich past and helps all of us — from natives to newcomers — gain a better understanding of the historical, social and political fabric of our state.
Each half-hour show brings to life fascinating characters — both familiar and forgotten — who've played key roles in building our state into the unique place we call home. Building History Workshop: Your House in History “Researching Buildings Using Local Archives” Saturday, April 7, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Cost: $15 for members, $20 for non-members RSVP: libreference@ohs.org or 503-306-5240 (Space is limited so sign up soon!)
Do you want to learn more about the history of your house or building? Are you curious about who lived in your house or what businesses operated in your building? Learn about the various resources available for uncovering building histories in the Davies Family Research Library at the Oregon Historical Society, as well as at the Architectural Heritage Center, City of Portland Archives and Multnomah County Archives. Representatives of the local archives will talk about accessing and utilizing the different resources for researching the history of a building, including photographs, city directories, databases and maps. |
