It's a new beginning at Oregon City's End of the Oregon Trail center * Oregon ArtsWatch

"OREGON CITY - It'll be a long and arduous journey emblematic of the original 1840s Oregon Trail migration itself. But, in the end, some years from now, restoration of the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive and Visitor Center in Oregon City should produce a beacon of history, education, and pride for the state and citizens of all backgrounds. An updated venue will include a new addition housing original wagons, a beautiful plank house, amphitheater events, and expanded programming."

""We're looking to revitalize the whole campus. I don't see any roadblocks," said Corinne Lowenthal, the enthusiastic executive director of Clackamas Heritage Partners, which runs the center and has teamed with the city of Oregon City, the Historic Oregon City organization, and other entities on the ambitious project. "It's all about donors and financing at this point.""

"The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive and Visitor Center, on eight acres of land, opened in 1995 with a mission to "preserve the heritage, educate the public and interpret the history" of the terminus of the Oregon Trail, via a museum, interactive exhibits, lecture space, and field trips. Lowenthal and others are being polite when they say "deferred maintenance" has led to parts of the interpretive center falling into disrepair, and the canvas bonnets had already deteriorated when a windstorm 10 years in obliterated them."

The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive and Visitor Center in Oregon City opened in 1995 on eight acres to preserve the heritage, educate the public and interpret the history of the trail terminus. The site currently requires deferred maintenance, including repair or replacement of deteriorated canvas bonnets, paint, and concrete cleaning. Planned restoration includes a new addition for original wagons, a plank house, amphitheater events, and expanded programming to broaden educational offerings. Clackamas Heritage Partners is leading the effort in partnership with the city and Historic Oregon City, with donor funding and financing as primary needs and a target around 2030.

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