Birthdays celebrated at Heritage Museum
“Oregon Voices” is one exhibit at the Heritage Museum in Independence through March 3. Photo by Lance Masterson.
February is “Birthday Month” at the Heritage Museum in Independence.
The state of Oregon was founded February 14, 1859, and on February 26, 1885, Thorp’s and Hill’s Towns of Independence were incorporated, making February the city’s birthday month.
In celebration, Heritage Museum is featuring a traveling exhibit from the Oregon Historical Society, “Oregon Voices.” Visitors will learn about the evolution and expansion of Oregon industries, social justice movements, migration and immigration, environment and energy, and Indigenous nations in Oregon from WWII to present day.
The exhibit is on display through March 3.
Additionally, the museums featuring the Thoughts & Gifts Project, a local non-profit, as its monthly mini-exhibit.
Thoughts & Gifts Project began its path many years ago after founder and president, Jean Love, was driving along country roads to visit family during the holiday season. She heard a commercial about providing gifts for youth who may not otherwise receive presents.
Upon conclusion of the commercial, Love wondered why there were not more programs to help celebrate other important days in children’s lives, such as their birthdays.
Love continued to think about this idea. Then, in 2017, she began the process of turning the idea into a reality. Today, the Thoughts & Gifts Project serves Polk County, to not only celebrate birthdays for underserved youth, but also for qualifying intellectually and/or developmentally disabled individuals and senior citizens.
Check out the Heritage Museum on its website, www.orheritage.org, or on its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/IndependenceHeritageMuseum for more information.
Admission to the Heritage Museum is free. Donations are accepted.
Museum hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 pm. It is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Heritage Museum is at 281 S. 2nd Street in Independence.
