Current Exhibit:
March 7 - May 31, 2023
“Nesting with Osprey” is an exhibit that was created by the Heritage Museum. It explores the osprey, a unique raptor, whose name literally means, 'bird of prey.' The osprey are piscivores: a carnivorous animal that eats primarily fish. They are a single living species that thrive nearly worldwide, living on every continent except Antarctica.
The exhibit will be on display at the Heritage Museum from March 7th to April 31, 2023. This time was specifically chosen because osprey return from their migration in mid-March to early April. It also makes the exhibit available for folks to visit during Spring Break.
In conjunction with the exhibit, the Heritage Museum is partnering with Western Oregon University Professor, Jim Dawson. Dawson is an ornithologist, an expert who studies birds, and specializes in avian behavior and ecology. He is a trained wildlife biologist, and became a falconer at the age of 13. He will be at the museum, along with other raptors, on March 28th starting at 1PM. You can learn more about other birds of prey, meet them, and ask Dawson questions about all the birds.
Ospreys build large, unruly stick piles for nests which can be seen in Independence along the Willamette River. Independence’s “Osprey Cam,” a live video feed housed on Independence’s iconic osprey nest platform, will be up and running again this season with the hope of an osprey pair making the nest their home. Ospreys have superb fishing skills and incredible unique adaptations.
The Heritage Museum also worked with local artist, Forrest Johnson, who created a life-size comic strip running along the exhibit walls to share all the amazing facts about osprey. It is unlike any exhibit you have experienced. Check out this hands-on exhibit to learn more about the incredible osprey. Visit the Heritage Museum to experience a unique multi-media exhibit, which celebrates this unusual bird.
Upcoming Exhibit:
Brave in the Attempt: Celebrating 50 years of Special Olympics Oregon
May 2 - May 31, 2023
Eunice Kennedy Shriver (1921–2009) was a champion for people with intellectual disabilities. Shriver saw the impact that sport competitions had, and she believed that same impact and positive influence would benefit people with disabilities. In 1968, Shriver announced the creation of Special Olympics at the first Special Olympics Games, held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.
In the early 1970s, Special Olympics expanded across the nation, establishing state-level programs to connect athletes with their local communities. In 1972, Special Olympics Oregon was officially founded on the same principles of using sports training and competition to increase acceptance and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Fifty years later, Special Olympics Oregon serves over 12,000 participants each year through sports, education, and athlete health programs at no cost to the athletes and their families. When an individual joins Special Olympics Oregon, they are often active with the organization throughout their life. Athletes experience life-changing opportunities to build confidence, forge friendships, connect with their communities, and improve health and well-being through the challenges and triumphs of competition.
Brave in the Attempt: Celebrating 50 years of Special Olympics Oregon is a traveling exhibit from the Oregon Historical Society.
A special thank you to Special Olympics Oregon and Special Olympics North America for their help and guidance creating this exhibit.
A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.
- Marcus Garvey
