Celebrate Black History Month on Vacation on the Oregon Coast

Black History Month in Lincoln City features three history lessons through art and entertainment, reminding us of where we have been and where we have yet to go. Accepting them can be difficult. Growing from them is critical. Seeing them is easy. Don’t miss them.

February 4

The Color Purple at the Bijou Theatre, 1624 NE Hwy 101. 11AM showing, just $2 admission. This 1985 extraordinary film stars Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover, among others, and was nominated for 11 Oscars. It follows the life of Celie Johnson in the early 1900s, from the time she is 17, through her struggles for survival, freedom, and triumph over adversity.

February 25

To Kill A Mockingbird at the Bijou Theatre, 1624 NE Hwy 101. 11AM showing, just $2 admission. Harper Lee got this one right. If you grew up without Scout Finch and Boo Radley, or haven’t seen them for a while, it’s time—and timeless.

Perseverence: A History of African Americans in Oregon’s Marion and Polk Counties at 1 PM at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum • 4907 SW HWY 101 in Lincoln City. A new publication on the history of African Americans in Marion and Polk counties, Perseverance, will be the subject of a presentation at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum in recognition of Black History month.

Since the beginning, even before the wagon trains, African Americans have played an essential part in building Oregon. In Marion and Polk counties, they overcame the obstacles of wilderness, prejudice, and isolation, helping to create a vibrant community. They have often been left out of the paintings and statues, but Perseverance brings you many of their names and describes the ways they have made history, taking their rightful place among pioneers past and present in the Willamette Valley.

Perseverance was published by a group called the Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers to shed light on the little known history of African Americans in Oregon. Willie Richardson, chair of ONWBP, and her vice-chair, Gwen Carr, will conduct the hour-long program. This free presentation will take place at 1 PM on Saturday, February 25 at the museum, located at 4907 SW HWY 101 in Lincoln City. Museum admission is also free, thanks to a grant from the City of Lincoln City. For more information contact Anne Hall, 541, 996-6614.