Hiya, it’s your host, Mariah! It’s the end of the year and of Season 2, so it’s a great time to see how far we’ve come. Read on for our recap of 2024’s Quests!
Thank You For Season 2!
Season 2 of Black History Quest was an absolute success, with 6 episodes unearthing untold parts of Oregon’s Black history. We’re so grateful for our incredible history investigators and our engaged audience of fellow Pionerds–thank you for following along as we uncover the unknown together. We’ve had some fun and have learned a lot along the way. Check out the highlights below, or click on the link to see any episodes you may have missed!
January: What is John Brown’s Deschutes County story—and what do we do with it?
What began as a homeschool project for Sevilla and Ander Rhoads evolved into a History Investigation, with help from genealogist, historian, and archaeology buff Brad Lemmon. Their research revealed John A. Brown’s 1880 settlement, connecting his legacy to Browns Mountain in Central Oregon.
March: OAC’s Black Students in the 1920s
Larry Landis explored the stories of the first Black students to attend Oregon Agricultural College (now OSU), focusing on their connections to Portland and their campus experiences. Adding to her legacy, this research highlighted the pivotal role of Beatrice Morrow Cannady in driving Black enrollment at the college.
May: Oregon’s Infamous Poll Tax
Richard Engemann revealed more about the 1862 poll tax in Oregon, which enforced racial exclusion on Black, Chinese, and Hawaiian residents. Collected minimally, it served as a symbolic gesture of prejudice rather than a meaningful revenue source.
July: Martha Anderson’s Advocacy
Dr. Ramycia McGhee investigated a 1960s lawsuit brought by Martha Anderson against RCA over stock certificates gifted by her uncle. Martha’s story underscores the enduring importance of documentation and self-advocacy in preserving generational wealth.
September: The Green Book in Oregon
Taylor Stewart examined Green Book entries in Washington and Oregon, providing an exploration into how migration patterns shaped the availability of Green Book listings and the communities behind them.
November: Black C.C.C. Enrollees in Southern Oregon
Jeff LaLande highlighted the significant contributions of Black men in the CCC to infrastructure in Southern Oregon–including building trails, campgrounds, and fire lookouts–despite facing racial segregation and discrimination.
Jonesing for more than just Season 2? Check out all of our episodes here. Make sure to subscribe to Oregon Black Pioneers on YouTube and click the notification bell to stay in the loop!
The Quest Never Ends
We love deep-diving into newspaper articles and documents here at Oregon Black Pioneers, but we know not everyone connects to history that way.
In our first episode of the season, investigating John A. Brown’s connection to Browns Mountain, Ander eloquently said, “Reading the documents about John are interesting, but it’s kind of abstract. But he feels so real when you sit under a tree which he could have also sat.” (It’s like poetry–well put, Ander!). Following that beautiful sentiment, Sevilla mentioned the family’s dream of sharing his story at a lookout for the mountain that bears his name. That dream has come true, less than a year later, with a National Forest Service interpretive sign that details John A. Brown’s legacy!
Now, visitors to the area can feel connected to John A. Brown as they explore this beautiful place. Be sure to visit the sign at Browns Crossing when the road reopens this spring!
Season 3… and Beyond!
Great news! Black History Quest has been funded for the next two seasons, thanks to the generous support of The Collins Foundation. The Collins Foundation invests in Oregon nonprofit organizations, both rural and urban, that are dedicated to improving quality of life and well-being for the people in their communities. Thanks to their funding, we can pay our history investigators to tackle the questions that perplex Oregon Black history researchers.
Do you have an idea for a story to investigate, or want to be a history investigator yourself? Reach out to hello@oregonblackpioneers.org!
Until next year!
