Events
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July 2026
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Exhibits & Events
Cheryl Newhouse: Spinner, Knitter and Weaver
Thursday, July 9th through Saturday, July 11th
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Cheryl Newhouse spins, knits and weaves in Richland, Oregon. Using mostly Eastern Oregon fiber she works with Corriedale Merino Wool from sheep, Kid Mohair from Angora goats, and Angora Wool from Angora rabbits. She also incorporates bamboo and baby camel. She hand dyes her fiber and then knits and weaves into hats, shawls, socks and more.
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Cheryl will be demonstrating all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday with special presentations throughout the day. She will have hands on activities for all ages to try including a functioning 1800's spinning wheel.
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Mildred Quaempts: Dentalium Piecework
Thursday, August 13th through Saturday, August 16th
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Mildred Quaempts is master in Umatilla dentalium piecework and joins us as a part of our Oregon Folklife Residency in the Wagon Box Theater. A member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, she carries on the tradition in her tribe, recently completing a wedding veil and cape. "I first observed and helped use dentaliums with my grandma, Annie Joe, better known as 'Tquannanmy' when she was applying them on medallions or on dresses. I was 9 years old. I used to travel with her to Indian wedding trades and saw other young girls wearing hairpieces made from dentalium. I love looking at old photos of individuals using dentalium." Mildred uses smoked hide or white hide, old beads, cowrie shells, and two-inch dentalium shells to decorate dresses, hair pieces and unique wedding veils for brides. She is also a Umatilla language speaker. She will be in the Wagon Box Theater all day with special presentations throughout the day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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Clair Kehrberg: Leatherwork
Thursday, September 24th through Saturday, September 26th
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Clair Kehrberg is a master leatherworker, gear maker, and saddle maker in John Day. She will be demonstrating her craft in the Wagon Box Theater as a part of our Oregon Folklife Residency all day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with special presentations throughout the day. She grew up in eastern Oregon’s ranch country and continues to ranch with her husband in John Day. Kehrberg is well-known for her intricate leather work and brings her skills to chinks and chaps as well as to elegantly hand-tooled leather briefcases, handbags, earrings, and more. Clair, an experienced teacher, is extremely articulate about her craft, how she learned, from whom she learned, and the intricacies of leatherwork.
Harris Sisters: Beadwork and Seamstress
Thursday, October 15th through Saturday, October 17th
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We welcome Katie Harris Murphy and Mary Harris from Pendleton to the Wagon Box Theater for three days of demonstrations in traditional beadwork, sewing and embriodery. Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation the sisters are Nimiipuu, Cayuse, Umatilla & Karuk. They create traditional Regalia to preserve their tribal heritage. Come learn the historical and ceremonial significance of traditional dresses while observing the expert craftsmanship preserved by these culture keepers. In addition to demonstrating, Katie and Mary will offer special presentations three times a day.
Great events are in the works!
Check back soon for more great events that educate, engage and celebrate our history at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. We have big plans for 2026 and hope you'll join us for some quality time on the Oregon Trail.