Activities and Events
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offers guided programs and living history demonstrations for all ages.
Activities & Events
- Year-round Ranger Programs (days of the week and timing vary upon seasons; call ahead for details)
- April - October 2026: Oregon Culture Keepers Residency
- June 12, 2026: Hansen Wagon & Wheel event
- June 13, 2026: Oregon Trail Days
- October: Haunting on the Hill
Public Programs
Details about routinely offered programs are listed below.
- Oregon Culture Keepers Residency
Click for full-size flyer Explore Oregon’s living cultural traditions through a new interpretive folklife series at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center!
The series aligns with America’s 250th anniversary by highlighting the people, traditions, and cultural knowledge that have shaped the nation over time. Visitors can experience firsthand how traditional arts connect past and present while supporting the BLM’s mission.
From April through October, visitors will have interactive opportunities that represent Native American, ranching, and rural lifeways. Presentations will take place daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Pacific time, offering deeper insight into each artist’s craft and cultural background.
- April 23–25: Sara Barton, traditional basket maker of Mono Lake Paiute and Yosemite Miwuk ancestry works closely with Burns Paiute weavers
- May 7–9: Kathy Moss, cowboy poet, buckaroo, horse trainer, and rancher from Prairie City
- June 18–20: Roberta Kirk, regalia maker, food gatherer, and bead and dentalium artist from Warm Springs, Tenino and Wasq’u
- July 9–11: Cheryl Newhouse, spinner and weaver from Richland
- August 13–15: Mildred Quaempts, dentalium artist from the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla
- September 24–26: Clair Kehrberg, saddle and gear maker and leatherworker from John Day
- October 15–17: Katie Harris Murphy and Mary Harris, regalia and beadwork artists from the Wallowa Band Nimiipuu, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Karuk Tribes
This series is designed to build long-term, high-quality cultural programming at the Interpretive Center, ensuring visitors can engage with authentic traditions and perspectives for years to come.
- Hansen Wagon & Wheel
Click for full-size flyer Spend a day with one of the nation’s leading wagon restoration experts at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center as master wheelwright Doug Hansen and the team from Hansen Wagon & Wheel assess the museum’s historic covered wagon collection.
Known for crafting and restoring authentic 19th-century wagons for museums, collectors, and productions including Yellowstone, 1883, and Dances with Wolves, Hansen Wagon & Wheel brings decades of specialized craftsmanship and historical expertise to Baker City for this rare, behind-the-scenes event.
Participants will enjoy a bird’s-eye view as the Hansen team evaluates each wagon in the Interpretive Center collection, sharing insight into preservation, restoration, condition assessment, and the history of wooden vehicles used during westward migration. Guests are encouraged to ask questions throughout the day and gain practical knowledge relevant to museum and curatorial work.
Hosted by Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, this special event takes place Friday, June 12, and is limited to 25 guests. Registration is $50 per person and includes a Wagon Master Luncheon with the Hansen team, coffee and water throughout the day, and free admission to the Interpretive Center.
As part of Oregon Trail Days, Doug Hansen and his crew will also present a free live wheelwright demonstration on June 13 in Geiser-Pollman Park.
- Movie
A 60-minute film, West to Oregon, is shown daily at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the Leo Adler Theater.
- Oregon Trail Days
Oregon Trail Days is a free, family friendly community celebration presented by the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City. This signature summer event brings history to life while honoring the people, stories, and journeys that shaped the American West. As part of the national Freedom 250 celebrations, Oregon Trail Days invites visitors to reflect on 250 years of American history through hands on experiences and shared community traditions.
The event kicks off the summer season on June 13 at Geiser-Pollman Park, near downtown Baker City. The main celebration begins around midday and wraps up with a free live concert in the evening. Additional programs will take place on Friday and Sunday at the Interpretive Center.
What you can experience:
- Explore history—Step into the past with a recreated wagon train, wagon rides, and costumed interpreters demonstrating daily life on the trail.
- Hands-on activities—Meet local organizations, learn about the region, and enjoy engaging activities for kids and families.
- Entertainment—Enjoy storytelling, live music, and performances throughout the day and evening.
Designed to be welcoming, educational, and fun, Oregon Trail Days offers a chance for families and visitors to connect with local history, talk with educators and volunteers, and explore the deep ties between the Oregon Trail, Baker City, and eastern Oregon.
For full schedules and event details are coming soon! Oregon Trail Days is made possible by the Bureau of Land Management, along with community partners including Crossroads Carnegie, Baker City Downtown, and many more. - Ranger Programs
Winter is a quieter season at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, which makes it a great time for a more personal experience.
- Because visitation is lighter this time of year, ranger-led interpretive programs (Thursday–Saturday only) aren’t offered on a fixed daily schedule. Instead, programs are often tailored to the visitors who are here that day.
- Interested in a special presentation or a deeper dive into a topic? Let us know! Our rangers are happy to accommodate when staffing and attendance allow.
- We recommend calling ahead during winter hours to check on staffing and available programs.
Regularly scheduled programs will resume when the busy season returns. No matter what, we’ll always do our best to make your visit memorable!
