This project began in conjunction with the brainstorming of an exhibit being planned for the Lane County Historical Museum around the celebration of the Oregon sesquicentennial in 2009. “Changing Demographics: The People of Lane County” offered an opportunity to introduce the voices of groups not previously well-represented at the museum, and included panels on Native Americans, Jewish communities, Asian immigrants, African American history, and Latino Roots in Oregon.

The Springfield History Museum is actively working to address representation in our collection. Museum institutions have historically used gatekeeping and erasure in collection practices. We are working to address this harm with projects and special exhibits like ILLUMINATION, that intentionally center the stories and experiences of those who have been historically marginalized and who are currently underrepresented in our collection.