Oregon - Where Past is Present

People have been living in Oregon for more than 14,000 years. The stories of their diverse cultures are preserved in oral traditions passed from generation to generation and in the objects people used and valued. The arrival of Euro-Americans challenged the continuity of Native traditions, but in spite of everything, they have survived. Today, Oregon is experiencing a revival of Native culture as people work to preserve languages, arts, and traditions that were nearly lost.

A sample of artifacts from MNCH's feature gallery exhibit, Oregon – Where Past is Present, is presented here, photo-documented by Jack Liu and Roger Scott as part of the museum's ongoing digitizing efforts. They include objects from Native peoples of the Oregon Coast, Columbia Plateau, Western Valleys, and the Northern Great Basin, and range in age from some of the oldest evidence to baskets and beadwork of the 19th and 20th centuries. Additional objects may be seen in the museum's other web galleries.

Images © Museum of Natural and Cultural History

For the entire sample gallery - click here

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