Baker City, Oregon__The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Trail Tenders invite the public to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Thursday, May 25, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The event is open to the public and free of charge!
Opening remarks will come from former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts, who cut the ribbon at the grand opening 25 years ago. Attendees will also hear from Randy Guyer, Dave Hunsaker, BLM’s Vale District Manager, Don Gonzalez, and a Congressional proclamation from U.S. Senator Wyden’s office. Immediately following will be a special anniversary encore performance of the living history drama “Fanny” by Joyce Badgley Hunsaker, and live music from Hank Cramer and Friends.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center opened Memorial Day Weekend in 1992, with community-wide celebrations. The event followed several years of efforts by community and government partners to build a tourism attraction focused on the Oregon Trail and to strengthen the regional economy through tourism.
Over the years, the Interpretive Center has hosted over 2.2 million visitors from around the globe, thousands of school students, tour groups and numerous special events. In addition to permanent exhibits and films portraying the history and legacy of the Oregon Trail, the Center has over four miles of hiking trails and a one mile stretch of the historic Trail route with wagon ruts. For the last 25 years, a staff of interpreters, volunteers, contractors, and partner groups have presented theater programs, living history, special exhibits, activities, and guided hikes averaging more than 500 presentations per year.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located five miles east of Baker City, Oregon, on Highway 86. Take Exit 302 from Interstate 84. The Center is currently open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $8 and $4.50 for seniors; children 15 and under are admitted for free. Federal passes are also accepted. Call 541.523.1843 for updates on programs and events or visit oregontrail.blm.gov.
