Welcome back to The Quest Continues! It’s your host and fellow Oregon Black Pionerd, Mariah Rocker, with an update on all things BHQ. Read on for a recap of our most recent episode, a cool collab between two former history investigators, a reminder of what else can grow from BHQ, and a peek at what’s to come!
Black History Quest: What was Seaside’s Sunflower Camp?
For May, we partnered with a former OBP board member, public historian Milo Reed, for a history investigation years in the making. Working on the Black Historic Resources in Oregon, 1788-2002 Multiple Property Document (MPD), Milo was introduced to the Sunflower Camp, a Black-owned retreat on the coast.
Through his research, Milo connected the Sunshine Camp to its proprietor, J.W. Curry, a railroad porter who opened the camp as early as 1923. Examining digitized Historic Oregon Newspapers like The Advocate, Milo demonstrated that many well-known figures visited the camp over the years, including Beatrice Morrow Cannady, members of the Flowers family, members of the Rutherford family, and more.
The camp served as a crucial space for Black Oregonians to rest, recreate, and build community, especially as access to other accommodations at the coast was often limited. The Sunflower Camp reflects the construction of middle-class Black identity through leisure activities before the era of the Green Book.
As a helpful reminder to us all doing historical research, Milo emphasized connecting names to the people in historical photographs to honor the individuals portrayed.
Future work will involve researching the Seaside Signal to capture a broader perspective of the era and collaborating with the Seaside Museum to commemorate the site.
History Investigators Unite!
Two of our former history investigators are teaming up! Pamela Filbert, from episode 2: Mystery in Marshfield, the murder of Timothy S. “Frank” Pettis, is leading a guided walk through Timothy Pettis’s final hours. This event is part of an incredible new initiative from the Oregon Remembrance Project.
Here’s what Taylor Stewart, from episode 9, The Green Book in Oregon, wanted to share about this upcoming collab:
“BHQ allowed ORP to connect with the organizers honoring the 100th anniversary of Timothy Pettis’ disappearance in Coos Bay in 1924. Physically touring Mr. Pettis’ story around the community was a profound opportunity to bring history to life. We will renew this BHQ partnership for ORP’s newest program, Sunshine Trips, which brings African Americans from the Portland area on free 2-night trips to southern Oregon. We will visit Coos Bay in August and give participants their own opportunity to bring Mr. Pettis’ story to life.”
The Quest Continues IRL
OG Oregon Black Pionerds might remember our first investigation, Hiding in Plain Sight: Tracing the footsteps of the Bayless family through Salem, Oregon, with history investigator Kylie Pine. But did you know that Kylie turned that first investigation into a Juneteenth walking tour, which has since become an annual tradition through the Willamette Heritage Center? Thanks to this incredible yearly collaboration between WHC, OBP, and Just Walk Salem-Keizer, I got to mention our show on a recent AM Northwest interview. Check out the shoutout here: “In Freedom’s Footsteps” Juneteenth History Walk
Up Next
Summer is here, and our next episode is close behind! This July, Cayla McGrail, the board president of Oregon Queer History Collective, will take us deeper into this intersectional history.
Stream Cayla’s episode live on Wednesday, July 29 at 7:00 PM on Facebook or YouTube to learn more!
Be a part of BHQ!
Do you know more about an investigation, or have any insights about the stories featured on BHQ? Please reach out, as we’d love to hear from you!.
Interested in becoming a future history investigator? Send an email to hello@oregonblackpioneers.org!
Can’t get enough? Check out all of our previous episodes of Black History Quest on YouTube.
Signing off,
