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Willamette Heritage Center

The Willamette Heritage Center preserves and shares the rich history of the Willamette Valley through engaging exhibits, educational programs, and community events, fostering a deeper understanding of our cultural heritage and its impact on today's society.

Celebrate Women&rsquo;s History Month with Kimberly Jensen, professor of History and Gender Studies, as she presents &ldquo;Women-Powered Democracy.&rdquo; Professor Jensen examines the powerful role of women in shaping democratic change &mdash; from voting activism and the fight for women&#39;s suffrage to grassroots organizing against Ku Klux Klan-inspired legislation in the early 1920s. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Marion and Polk Counties. Speaker Information: Professor Kimberly Jensen is a distinguished historian and Professor of History and Gender Studies at Western Oregon University. She specializes in U.S. women&rsquo;s history, civil liberties, and gender in the early twentieth century. Professor Jensen is the author of Mobilizing Minerva: American Women in the First World War and Oregon&rsquo;s Doctor to the World: Esther Pohl Lovejoy and a Life in Activism, and her most recent book Oregon&rsquo;s Others: Gender, Civil Liberties, and the Surveillance State in the Early Twentieth Century examines how wartime and discriminatory policies shaped rights and resistance in Oregon and beyond. Her current research explores the history of eugenics, state-coerced sterilization, and resistance in Oregon. An award-winning scholar and engaging public historian, she brings deep insight into issues of citizenship, gender, and social justice in American history.

Speaker Series: Women's History

Echoes of &rsquo;76: A Spring Gala Step back into the spirit of 1776 at&nbsp;Echoes of &rsquo;76, an unforgettable spring gala commemorating history, community, and the stories that continue to shape us. Enjoy an elegant evening featuring dinner and drinks, lively conversation, and inspired entertainment. Guests will explore silent auction tables, bid on exciting live auction items, and try their luck at our ever-popular Wall of Wine. The evening&rsquo;s program brings history vividly to life. The&nbsp;Sons of the American Revolution&nbsp;will ceremonially troop in the colors, followed by a special appearance from a historic re-enactor portraying&nbsp;John Adams, offering a firsthand glimpse into the ideas and voices of America&rsquo;s founding era. Live music from the&nbsp;Katie Jane Band&nbsp;will set the tone for a warm, celebratory night blending modern energy with historic echoes.Whether you&rsquo;re a history enthusiast, a supporter of preservation, or simply looking for a memorable night out, Echoes of &rsquo;76 promises an experience that honors the past while raising a glass to the future.

Echoes of '76: A Spring Gala

In recognition of Historic Preservation Month, join us for a presentation by American conservationist, Charles F. Sams III. Sams will examine our shared stewardship as culture-keepers and the vital role preservation plays in sustaining collective history for future generations.This program is presented in partnership with the City of Salem and is funded in part by the National Trust Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Speaker Information: Charles F. Sams III, also known as Mockingbird with Big Heart, is a nationally respected conservation leader and advocate for Indigenous stewardship of land and water. A native of Pendleton, Oregon, Sams made history as the first Native American to serve as Director of the National Park Service, leading the agency from 2021 to 2025. His career spans public service, nonprofit leadership, and tribal advocacy, including roles with the Trust for Public Land, the Earth Conservation Corps, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Currently a member of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, Sams brings a powerful perspective shaped by history, policy, and lived experience at the intersection of conservation and cultural preservation.

Speaker Series: Historical Preservation

Commemorate Global Diversity Awareness Month with this interactive workshop designed to help you navigate the conversations that often arise around the Thanksgiving table. Join us as we create space for thoughtful dialogue, explore the differences that enrich our community, and practice engaging with one another in ways that add depth and value to our conversations.

Willamette Heritage Center

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Speaker Series: Women's History

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Echoes of '76: A Spring Gala

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Speaker Series: Historical Preservation

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