BAKER CITY, Ore. – The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is offering several activities during President’s Weekend, including reopening the popular annual children’s exhibit “Wagon’s Ho! An Interactive Oregon Trail Experience” Feb. 13, and celebrating Oregon’s Birthday Feb. 14. Friday, Feb. 14 through Monday, Feb. 17 are all free days. The Center will resume its open daily schedule starting President’s Weekend.
The “Wagon’s Ho!” exhibit is offered annually during spring months to provide hands-on educational activities for school groups and families. This year the exhibit features a new Oregon map puzzle and Carnivore-Herbivore game, updated pioneer clothing try-on activity, a puppet theater, and seven other activities. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a full scale packable pioneer wagon with foam blocks representing all the items needed for a cross country journey by pioneers. An Oregon Trail game offers choices and dilemmas encountered on the frontier journey.
The exhibit was funded with grants from Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Heritage Commission, Trail Tenders, and fee revenue. A downloadable class activity guide with lesson plans to use with the exhibit is available on the Center’s website.
There will be interpretive programs in the Leo Adler Theater throughout the weekend, and craft activities and refreshments for visitors.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, operated by the Bureau of Land Management, is located 5 miles east of Baker City, Oregon, on Highway 86. Take Exit 302 from I-84. The Interpretive Center is open Winter Schedule from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday until Feb. 16 when hours become daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission for adults is $5. Seniors are $3.50. Children 15 and under are free. Federal passes are accepted. Visit oregontrail.blm.gov for more information about the Interpretive Center, or call (541) 523-1843 for updates on programs and events. For information on this and other activities in Baker County, Oregon, call 1 (800) 523-1235.
