Welcome to the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, a Japanese American history museum and center located in Portland's Old Town, where Japantown once thrived.

The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center is a focal point for the preservation and sharing of the history and culture of the Japanese American community. ONLC opened the doors to its new home in September, 2004. ONLC now has a larger exhibit space, with exhibits that highlight Issei immigration and early life in Oregon, Nihonmachi (Japantown), and life after Executive Order 9066 including the Portland Assembly Center and contemporary Nikkei life. (photo courtesy Rich Iwasaki, 2004).

Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11 AM to 3 PM, Sunday 12 to 3 PM. Admission is $3 for general public, free for Friends of the Legacy Center. Group tours, speaking engagements, and research appointments are available. For more information, call 503-224-1458. ONLC is located at 121 NW 2nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97209.

ONLC is located in the Merchant Hotel building built 1880-1885, and is of historical interest, being located in the oldest part of Portland in the heart of what was once Portland's Japan Town (Nihonmachi) until World War Two. The building housed a laundry, bathhouse and barbershop run by Japanese families in the early years.

The Center has expanded storage for archives and historical artifacts, a community room for public meetings and programs, and an improved library. The new location has been made possible through the generosity of Naito Corporation, community contributors, corporate and business donors, and foundation grants. We invite you to visit us soon.

Announcement

Oregon Nikkei Endowment is seeking applicants for the position of Executive Director.

• O.N.E. Executive Director job announcement
   

Events and Programs

Exhibit Opening
Go For Broke: Photographs by Motoya Nakamura
May 9 – August 31, 2008

Opening reception: Friday, May 9, 4:30 - 6:00 pm.

Motoya Nakamura, a photographer for The Oregonian, created five portraits of 442nd RCT veterans John Murakami, Roy Maeda, Joe Onchi, Art Iwasaki, and Kazuo Fujii for the article "Fighting Prejudice on Two Fronts" (Living, Sunday, November 7, 2004). Motoya’s special vision and masterful technique created memorable pieces that honor and pay respect to these, and all, of Oregon’s Nisei veterans. Please join us for an exhibition of these special photographs at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center. Accompanying the exhibit will be special artifacts from the collection. (photo: John Murakami © Motoya Nakamura/The Oregonian)
 

Nikkei Farmers of the Hood River Area
A new online exhibit about the Nikkei community in Hood River and surrounding areas, based on the Legacy Center's 2007 exhibition "Window on a Community." Created by ONLC through Discover Nikkei, one of the world's largest sources for Nikkei-related databases, history, and culture.
 

Museum in a Suitcase
A new teaching aid for speakers' use in classroom presentations, developed by the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center with assistance from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
 

Upcoming Exhibit:

Go For Broke: Photographs by Motoya Nakamura
May 9 - August 31, 2008

To honor and pay tribute to Oregon Nisei Veterans, Motoya Nakamura, a photographer for The Oregonian, created five special portraits of 442nd RCT veterans John Murakami, Roy Maeda, Joe Onchi, Art Iwasaki, and Kazuo Fujii for the article "Fighting Prejudice on Two Fronts" (Living, Sunday, November 7, 2004). Please join us for an exhibition of these important and artistic photographs. Motoya’s vision and masterful technique created memorable works of art that honor and pay respect to these, and all, of Oregon’s Nisei veterans. Accompanying the exhibit will be special artifacts from the ONLC collection.

The exhibit, located in the community room, is included with regular museum admission ($3; free for Friends of the Legacy Center). Exhibit hours are Tues – Sat 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sun 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Group visits are welcome by appointment. Please call ONLC at 503-224-1458 for more information.
 

Become a Member:

Friends of the Legacy Center
Your support will help to ensure that the history, art and culture of the Nikkei are preserved and shared with the community for generations to come.

Annual subscribers to ONLC receive free admission all year long, a subscription to our newsletter, invitations to openings and other special events, and 10% off all purchases in the gift shop.

To get involved in these activities, please contact ONLC:

Phone: 503-224-1458