Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society

Champoeg State Heritage Area Celebrates Founders Day May 5

Champoeg State Heritage Area will host living history actors, a replica historic townsite and other family-friendly activities for the annual Founders' Day celebration on Saturday, May 5. This year marks the 175th anniversary of the 1843 vote held in Champoeg that established the first provisional government west of the Mississippi River. The free event runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Activities will include a reenacted fur trappers' camp, replica historic townsite with building facades, tradesmen demonstrating 19th century techniques and a post office with souvenir post cards. A 1 p.m. ceremony to honor the original May 1843 voters will feature distinguished speakers, a mock vote and a rifle salute. The afternoon concludes with a live stage coach run delivering the souvenir post cards to the St. Paul post office.

Founders' Day celebrates a vote held in Champoeg by local settlers on May 2, 1843. A large group gathered that day to decide the future of the Oregon territory. After a spirited debate, a slim majority voted "aye" to form Oregon's first provisional government, laying the groundwork for Oregon's statehood in 1859. Founders' Day has been held annually at Champoeg since 1901.

Event parking at Champoeg State Heritage Area will be free. Light refreshments will be available after the conclusion of the 1 p.m. ceremony. For more information visit oregonstateparks.org or call

503-678-1251.

Image: Map of the administrative districts of the en:Provisional Government of Oregon, as of 1843. Source=Horner, John B. (1919). ''Oregon: Her History, Her Great Men, Her Literature''.

"Unlock Your Past" event review

In March, CGGS along with the White Salmon Library presented a beginning genealogy event at the White Salmon Library. Carol Fritsch and Robin Karvonen from the Fort Vancouver library gave a slide presentation on how to begin your genealogy research. It was great coordination of two of our members, Fred Henchell , Diane Barkhimer and WS librarian Ruth Shafer.

Images: Diane Barkhimer

Upcoming genealogy event in White Salmon

The CGGS is once again co-sponsoring a genealogy event along with the White Salmon Library and the Ft. Vancouver Library District.

This is a beginners event with librarians from the Ft. Vancouver district and members of the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society.

Genealogy 101

Come , Learn, enjoy!

All ages and levels are welcome!

April Meeting and Program - Case study of Dr. Charles B. Brooks

Our April meeting and program will be on the 14th at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in the downstairs classroom. Sandy Bisset will present a case study on Dr. Charles B. Brooks. This case study actually began last year when several historical societies and queries led to a collaboration project with the members of the CGGS. Sandy has given out "clues" since the January meeting to the members and we have made a group effort to answer the query questions.

This has been a fun project and a great program format to expand our researching skills.

Members are to bring their computers, notes and finished material. This will be a all day program event so bring lunches and beverages also.

Image:Southern Oregon Historical Society

White Salmon Library Event " Climb Your Family Tree" Recap

Display by Fred Henchel and Diane Barkhimer

The White Salmon Library and the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society co-sponsored a family

genealogy event on Saturday March 3, 2018. The purpose for the event was to promote family history research and to gather interest in Genealogy to all ages. We certainly accomplished it with both children and seniors wanting to start their genealogy journey. Ruth Shafer, librarian, Diane Barkhimer and Fred Henchel from CGGS put together a great presentation of displays and work areas for the event. A second event is planned on March 31, 2018, Unlock Your Past, a beginning genealogy lecture with representatives from the Fort Vancouver Library and members of the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society will begin at 2pm. The display will be at the library through the month of March.

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.