7
CULTURE & HERITAGE
CELEBRATING THE HISTORY
OF EASTERN OREGON
JULY 28�AUGUST 4, 2021
Pioneer Day returns to Heritage Museum
Visitors can
dip beeswax
candles,
pan for gold,
make butter
in downtown Pendleton, at 108
SW Frazer Ave. In addition to the
wheat exhibit, the Depot Gallery
display celebrates the county’s
history. Other elements include
a railroad display, a newspaper
printing press, and signs from lo-
cal businesses. Outside exhibits
include the Byrd Schoolhouse
relocated from near Pilot Rock,
and the Fix family cabin and
barn.
“It looks like an old home-
stead,” Gruenhagen said.
By Lisa Britton
Go! Magazine
P
ENDLETON — Fresh butter
and pancakes are just one
of the treats awaiting visitors to
the Heritage Station Museum’s
Pioneer Day on Saturday, Aug. 7.
It’s been awhile since the
museum had a Pioneer Day, said
Shannon Gruenhagen, market-
ing and tour coordinator.
“We’re bringing it back and
reimagining it,” she said.
The one-day event also falls
on Free First Saturday, with free
admission for everyone. From
noon to 3 p.m., visitors can pan
for gold, try candle dipping with
beeswax, learn how to clean
clothes on a washboard, and
shake cream into butter.
“And we’ll make pancakes,”
Gruenhagen said.
The pancakes tie into the new
wheat exhibit, “Umatilla Gold:
History of Wheat in Umatilla
County.” The display features
The museum’s regular hours
are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday
through Saturday. With the
exception of Free First Satur-
day, admission is $5 adults, $4
seniors, $2 students, or $10 for
a family.
Updates are regularly posted
on Facebook and Instagram.
Heritage Station is a Umatilla
County Historical Society mu-
seum. It opened in the old train
depot in 1988, and underwent
an expansion in 2003.
Courtesy of Shannon Gruenhagen
Heritage Station is located in an old train station in Pendleton.
photographs, drone footage of
local wheat farms and interactive
elements.
“You can even smell what a
wheat fi eld smells like,” Gruenha-
gen said.
Pioneer Day is supported by
a grant from the Umatilla County
Cultural Coalition.
Aug. 7 also brings back Arti-
san Alley, with vendors located
both inside and outside the
museum.
Gruenhagen has planned a
monthly special event since the
museum reopened in June. The
fi rst gathering focused on old-
fashioned games. In July, visitors
celebrated the Fourth of July
with pie and hot dogs.
An event for Sept. 25 will
feature fall crafts and apple but-
ter, and the “Heritage Haunt” is
planned for Oct. 30. For the holi-
day season, “Heritage Lights” will
happen on the fi rst three Fridays
and Saturdays in December.
“Our programming is really
ramping back up,” Gruenha-
gen said. “We’re happy to have
people coming through again.”
Heritage Station Museum is
located in the 1909 train station
Courtesy of Shannon Gruenhagen
A new Heritage Station exhibit explores the history of wheat in Umatilla County.
Visit Heritage Station Museum
for a trip back in time
We thank these Chamber Members
for their continued support
See how wheat helped shape Umatilla County
Step inside a Union Pacific caboose, the Byrd School
and spend time on the Pioneer Homestead
Open Tues-Sat
10am-4pm
www.VisitUnionCounty.org
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IN PENDLETON
www.HeritageStationMuseum.org