Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society: September 2026

Sanctuaries of the Mind

The personal journey of Little Lula

Oct.17, 2026

1:00pm - Via Zoom

As we remember National Family History Month, we present the personal journey of Lula Lewellen Shaw who came to Eastern Oregon with her parents and siblings in the 1880’s and experience personal tragedies along her journey from wife and mother to resident in the Oregon State Hospital in the 1920’s and 30’s as told by her grand-daughter, Georga Foster.

This program also covers how to order records from the State of Oregon in its Historic Records Index with over 2000 new commitment records added in 2026. The record index is part of the Oregon State Archives and other records such as births, deaths, divorce, estate and probate records are available in the index also.

This is a free presentation but you must register.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1HyDF6PiTmmNXj5qMdWM9w

2026 Programs and Events

January 10 - Social History and Your Genealogical Research
Febuary- All Saturdays of the month- Original Wasco County Courthouse History Forums
March 14- Kenneth R. Marks - How to Develop Critical Online Newspaper Research Skills
April 11 - Ft. Dalles Tour
May - IOOF Photo Requests
June 5 - Membership Luncheon
Summer Break- July and August
September 19- Brian Rhinehart-Navigating the Records From The War of 1812
Oct. 17 - National Family History Month - Sanctuaries of the Mind - Little Lula

Pioneers of The West

Header Photo: Helen Lundeberg created this painting while employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal program that employed artists during the Great Depression. Like other WPA artists, Lundeberg depicted a hopeful view of the United States during a time of turmoil and uncertainty by showing a dreamlike image of western expansion. The group of pioneers, with their backs to the viewer, follows an ox-drawn wagon into a valley. The monumental figures appear strong and assured in their forward progress. Rising mountains melt into the sun. Lundeberg's style of mixing fantastic images with reality is evident in the background: The pink, rolling mountains blend into the orange, pink, and bluish haze of the sky; it is difficult to determine where the mountains end and the sky begins. The careful use of space and dreamlike elements in Pioneers of the West is representative of Lundeberg's postsurrealist style. This movement, derived from surrealism, purposely combined fantasy with reality and was predominantly found on the West Coast. (Helen Lundeberg, Pioneers of the West, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.8.27) GSA: Information and images created or owned by the GSA unless otherwise indicated, are considered in the public domain. They may be distributed or copied as permitted by applicable law.

Its National Family History Month! Bring your family stories to life.