‘Oregon Voices’ can be heard in Tillamook

What influences an area? Laws? The economy? The environment?

“Oregon Voices” tries to answer these questions.

The traveling exhibit will be on temporary display at the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum starting this Saturday, Sept. 6.

Created by the Oregon Historical Society, “Oregon Voices” examines some of the important people, industries, organizations and laws that have shaped the state from the end of World War II through the year 2020.

“My hope with bringing ‘Oregon Voices’ to the museum is to expand the narratives displayed in the permanent and temporary exhibits,” said Jenny Teece, Tillamook Pioneer Museum exhibit and programs developer. “This traveling exhibit touches on multiple different identities, industries and perspectives that encapsulates the Oregon experience that people from all walks of life can relate to.”

The exhibit has five pop-up kiosks that cover different topics on Oregon history: industry and economy; equal rights and social justice; migration and immigration; environment and energy; and Indigenous Tribes of Oregon.

“As we observe holidays like Hispanic Heritage Month, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans Day and much more between the months of September and November, it's important that all experiences are reflected in the museum and create opportunities for understanding how Oregon has been shaped,” Teece said.

The project has served as the state's collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films and oral histories. The Oregon Historical Society’s research library, museum, digital platforms and websites, educational programming and historical journal make Oregon's history open and accessible to all.

Founded in 1935 by Tillamook Oregon pioneers, the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum offers 19 display areas that focus on the history of the North Oregon Coast. The current collection includes 55,000 items and 20,000 photographs ranging from prehistoric specimens to modern day items.

“Oregon Voices” will be on display through November 25.

The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am to 4 pm and is located at 2106 2nd Street. For more information, go to tcpm.org or call 503-842-4553.