slides: Oregon Black Pioneers Exhibition Opening at Oregon Historical Society

Friday, January 23, 2015

Kai Soderberg, GoLocalPDX Contributor

A Community On The Move opens Feb. 1. Photo Credit: Oregon Historical Society (image cropped)

The Oregon Black Pioneers partnered with the Oregon Historical Society to present A Community On The Move, an in-depth exhibit about the impact of WWII Shipyards, the Vanport Flood, and urban renewal programs on Portland-area black families and businesses in the 1940s and 50s.

A Community On The Move aims to show the connection between past local policies and present issues within the Portland African American community.

Designed in partnership with Alchemy of Design, the exhibit draws on historic artifacts, personal photographs, and hands on experiences to illuminate Portland’s vibrant black community, which has thrived despite the major setbacks of discrimination and displacement.

As present-day gentrification impacts historically black neighborhoods, the exhibit organizers say the importance of acknowledging and understanding this little-known history is critical to our collective future. A Community on the Move has therefore been designed so that viewers can connect past conditions with present realities.

Throughout the exhibit’s run, community members will be invited to take part in discussions with leaders and elders from Portland’s African American Community at various locations throughout Portland. A full list of these programs as well as other associated events can be found at www.oregonblackpioneers.org and www.ohs.org.

'A Community On The Move,' will be held at the Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Avenue, Feb. 1 - June 28, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $11, and discounts are available for students, seniors, and youth. Admission is free every day to residents of Multnomah County and members of the Oregon Historical Society.

Homepage Photo Credit: Oregon Historical Society

Related Slideshow: Oregon Black Pioneers Exhibition Opening at Oregon Historical Society

The Oregon Black Pioneers have partnered with the Oregon Historical Society to present a Community on the Move, an in-depth exhibit about the impact of WWII Shipyards, the Vanport Flood, and urban renewal programs on Portland-area black families and businesses in the 1940s and 50s.

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The state’s premier Black heritage organization is dedicated to illuminating African Americans’ contributions to Oregon’s history through research, publications, exhibits, and community outreach. The organization’s newest exhibition, A Community on the Move, directly builds on two highly successful collaborations with the Oregon Historical Society and reflects the all-volunteer organization’s increasing capacity to create meaningful opportunities for community dialogue and learning.

Launching Tuskegee Victory Ship, 1946

Photo Credit: Oregon Historical Society (image cropped)