Culture and color
Three very different chapters of Lincoln County history will come together through storytelling, film and dance when Newport’s Pacific Maritime Heritage Center presents “Resilience: Multicultural Presentations” this Saturday, Sept. 12.
The free afternoon program will explore the experiences of some of the communities that have helped shape the county, with presentations examining the history of Chinese immigrants in Toledo and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians followed by a celebration of Mexican culture through traditional dance.
The program is being presented in conjunction with two current exhibits at the center, “Oregon Voices” and “Currents in Lincoln County,” both of which explore aspects of the people, cultures and experiences that have shaped the region.
The afternoon will begin with author and historian Ted Cox discussing the Toledo Incident, a dark episode in Lincoln County history that resulted in the forced expulsion of Chinese residents from Toledo.
Cox has researched the incident extensively and will share updated information about the event along with material from the most recent edition of his book on the subject.
The program will then turn to a much longer history with a screening of “The Siletz Story,” part of the Ebb & Flow documentary series produced by the Lincoln County Historical Society and Visual Thinking Northwest.
The documentary explores the history of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians through interviews with tribal leaders Bud Lane and Delores Pigsley, who recount the experiences of the tribe and its people in their own words.
The Ebb & Flow series uses oral histories, archival materials and contemporary interviews to preserve and share stories from Lincoln County’s past, offering viewers an opportunity to hear history directly from people with deep connections to the communities being documented.
After two presentations centered on history and storytelling, the afternoon will shift from the screen to the dance floor with a performance by Ballet Folklorico Oregon Coast.
The group will present vibrant traditional Mexican dances, using movement, music and colorful costumes to showcase a cultural tradition that has become an increasingly visible part of community celebrations throughout the Central Oregon Coast.
Together, the three presentations offer different ways of preserving cultural heritage — through historical research, oral history and traditions carried forward through performance.
The afternoon will conclude with snacks and refreshments and an opportunity for guests to continue conversations sparked by the presentations.
Saturday’s presentation runs from 1 to 4 pm at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, located at 333 SE Bay Blvd. in Newport. For more information, go to oregoncoasthistory.org or call 541-265-7509.