Mid-Willamette Valley Organizations Receive Oregon 250 Grant Awards
Four organizations in the Mid-Willamette Valley are among the latest recipients of grant funding from the America 250 Oregon Commission.
The commission, in partnership with Oregon Heritage and the Oregon Historical Society, announced its fourth and final round of Oregon 250 Grant Program awards. Nearly $60,000 is being distributed to 21 organizations across the state for projects tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Across all four funding cycles, the program has awarded more than $244,000 to 80 organizations statewide.
In Polk County, two organizations received funding. The City of Independence will use its grant for a collaborative community quilt project with Monmouth. The project will share local stories and result in a public art installation and companion exhibit.
Also in Polk County, the Dallas Area Visitors Center received funding for Bigfootstock, a family-friendly cultural festival in Dallas. The event will use local folklore to celebrate regional history, identity and community connections.
In Marion County, Oregon Agricultural Trust received a grant to support the production and outreach of a short film series examining Oregon’s landmark land use program and its impact on communities and landscapes.
In Yamhill County, the City of Amity received funding to record and preserve oral histories. The project will capture contemporary community voices for public archives and educational use.
America 250 Oregon Commission Chair Kerry Tymchuk said the grants are designed to help communities across Oregon commemorate America’s 250th birthday in ways that reflect the unique character of the state.
The Oregon 250 Grant Program supports inclusive, community-focused projects that highlight Oregon’s diverse histories, traditions and cultures. Grant awards were available for up to $3,000.
The following organizations were awarded grants in the Oregon 250 Grant Program’s fourth and final funding cycle:
Camp Polk Pioneer Cemetery Preservation Committee, Deschutes County
Grant funds will support the preservation and recognition of veterans’ graves at Camp Polk Cemetery through restoration work and interpretive signage.
City of Amity, Yamhill County
Grant funds will support the recording and preservation of oral histories in Amity, capturing contemporary community voices for public archives and educational use.
City of Chiloquin, Klamath County
Grant funds will support a Fourth of July parade and community celebration in Chiloquin that honors local history while bringing residents together for a shared civic event.
City of Independence, Polk County
Grant funds will support a collaborative community quilt project in Independence and Monmouth that shares local stories and culminates in a public art installation and companion exhibit.
Coos Art Museum, Coos County
Grant funds will support a juried portrait exhibition featuring Oregon artists that explores identity, community, and shared futures through public programming and interpretation.
Dallas Area Visitors Center, Polk County
Grant funds will support Bigfootstock, a family-friendly cultural festival in Dallas that uses local folklore to celebrate regional history, identity, and community connections.
Frazier Farmstead Museum, Umatilla County
Grant funds will support the restoration of the historic McCoy Cabin, which was built in 1856 and is the oldest structure still standing in Umatilla County, through a hands-on community workshop teaching traditional preservation techniques.
Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, Klamath County
Grant funds will support the production and promotion of “Voices of Service,” an eight-episode podcast series highlighting the stories and experiences of veterans in Southern Oregon.
MidCoast Watersheds Council, Lincoln County
Grant funds will support three public estuary-focused events on the Oregon Coast that combine environmental education, local history, and artist-led creative activities.
No Pamphlet for That, Washington County
Grant funds will support inclusive, hands-on workshops that empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to share their perspectives through creative expression.
North Lincoln County Historical Museum, Lincoln County
Grant funds will support the creation and traveling display of exhibit panels exploring the evolving relationship between people and the Oregon Coast.
The Open Arts Center, Deschutes County
Grant funds will support a youth-led poetry and aerial performance project in Central Oregon that celebrates place, identity, and diverse voices through a public outdoor showcase.
Oregon Agricultural Trust, Marion County
Grant funds will support the production and outreach of a short film series examining Oregon’s landmark land use program and its impact on communities and landscapes.
Oregon Art Center, Multnomah County
Grant funds will support a centennial exhibition at Oregon Art Center showcasing contemporary artists alongside archival materials to highlight the organization’s 100-year legacy.
Portland Art Museum, Multnomah County
Grant funds will support a film screening and panel discussion in Portland exploring Oregon landscapes and storytelling through the lens of the film Wild.
Portland Rose Festival Foundation, Multnomah County
Grant funds will support the Grand Floral Starlight Parade, a combined Rose Festival event bringing diverse cultural groups and performers together for a large-scale public celebration in downtown Portland that will include tributes to America’s 250th birthday.
Scalehouse Collaborative for the Arts, Deschutes County
Grant funds will support two public lectures in Central Oregon exploring how art reflects and shapes cultural narratives and public understanding of history.
Scappoose Public Library District, Columbia County
Grant funds will support a free summer outdoor movie series in Scappoose that brings families together through film, entertainment, and community engagement.
Siren Nation, Multnomah County
Grant funds will support artist stipends for the annual Billie Holiday Tribute, expanding performance opportunities for women artists and honoring the legacy of American jazz.
Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District, Washington County
Grant funds will support a free Fourth of July community celebration at Beaverton Veterans Memorial Park featuring the newly completed Revolutionary War Memorial that honors veterans and fosters civic reflection through music, programming, and public gathering.
Westside Singers, Washington County
Grant funds will support live choral performances for seniors and the broader community, increasing access to American music across generations.
About the America 250 Oregon Commission
The America 250 Oregon Commission was created through Senate Bill 1531, which was signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek on March 27, 2024. Chaired by the Oregon Historical Society’s executive director, Kerry Tymchuk, the mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.
