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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 2016)
NEWS BY MEERAH POWELL RAILROAD EXHIBIT ADDRESSES RACE AND BLACK HISTORY he Oregon Electric Railway first arrived in Eugene The introduction of railroad work was one of the ways in 1912, but its historical significance today re- African-Americans gained access to middle-class living, mains relevant to the area — and especially to the Hart explains, adding that even though these are major his- city’s African-American residents. torical events, they don’t get talked about nearly enough. The Lane County “The museum hasn’t done a lot Historical Museum is hosting an of black history,” he says. “It’s exhibit about the arrival of rail- high time we talk about race.” roads to Eugene and the employ- This sentiment echoes ment opportunities for African- throughout the work of the Or- Americans that came with it. egon Black Pioneers. “The Af- “Rails Through Eugene: A Black rican-American story in Oregon History Connection” was put to- was not visible or well-known,” gether by the Oregon Black Pio- says Willie Richardson, presi- neers, a nonprofit group based in dent of the group. “We then de- — B O B H A R T, L A N E C O U N T Y H I S TO R I C A L Salem that focuses on bringing cided our job was to bring the MUSEUM Oregon’s black history to light. African-American story to life in The exhibit features histori- its totality.” cal photos and artifacts from the Oregon Electric Railway’s The Oregon Black Pioneers do this by partnering with heyday in Oregon and, specifically, Eugene, along with the museums, school districts and historical organizations to effect the railways had in bringing African-Americans look- show exhibits and presentations about black history in Or- ing for work to the Beaver State. egon. Working on the railroad, and eventually on the trains, was Richardson says the group is working with Eugene “one of the first paying jobs available for blacks,” says Gwen school districts as well as the Salem-Keizer school district to Carr of the Oregon Black Pioneers. adapt curriculum to include more Oregonian black history. Although they weren’t allowed to be conductors or engi- “Rails Through Eugene: A Black History Connection” is at the Lane County Historical Museum through Oct. 9. Guest lecturers Bill Rutherford, an artist and neers, African-Americans working on the trains held a va- sculptor, and Eric Richardson, president of the local NAACP chapter, will speak riety of positions like porters, brakemen, cooks, bartenders at the exhibit 2 pm Saturday, Sept. 17, and at 2 pm on Oct. 1, respectively. For and barbers, says Bob Hart, executive director of the Lane further information, visit lanecountyhistoricalsociety.org. County Historical Museum. T ‘The museum hasn’t done a lot of black history, it’s high time we talk about race.’ Are you a single father in Lane County? If so, find out how you can receive up to $150 by participating in our research study * . For details visit http://bit.ly/ftcscreen ® *Research study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, grant #2R44HD075499. irisEd eugeneweekly.com • September 15, 2016 9
