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BAKER CITY, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management’s National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center will be connecting kids to public lands and America’s natural and cultural heritage with a variety of free open-air programs through Labor Day weekend. 

Dr. Balthasar’s Frontier Medicine Show takes the stage Friday – Sunday Aug. 21–23, at 11 a.m., 12:30 and 2 p.m. daily; and at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, with interpreter Mike Follin playing the snake oil salesman who “can cure everything from a common cold to a death of two weeks’ standing.” 

Hear the voices of some of the remarkable women who dreamed of the right to vote during a special one-time performance of “The Suffrage Movement in America” on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 1:30 p.m. Designed to educate and entertain, this event is sponsored by the American Association of American Women.

Susan Matley will portray Matilda Sager Delaney, who, along with their six siblings, was adopted by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman in the autumn of 1844 after both their parents died on the Oregon Trail, Friday – Saturday, Aug. 28–30 at 11 a.m., 12:30 and 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.

Labor Day weekend offers a variety of performances by folk singer Hank Cramer, and musical duo Carter Junction Friday, Sept. 4, through Sunday, Sept. 6. Cramer will also give the last of the After Hours at the Interpretive Center summer performances at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5–6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can take a peek into a pioneer family’s afternoon rest break as they traverse Flagstaff Hill and visit a wheelwright exhibit.

While visiting, we strongly encourage all visitors to make smart decisions and follow Centers for Disease Control and State of Oregon guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. These measures include:

• Practice social distancing by maintaining two wagon wheels (6 feet) between you and others visiting the center.
• Wear cloth face coverings, like bandanas, where social distancing is difficult (except for those who are under age 2 or have trouble breathing).
• Wash your hands often. While you’re outdoors, use hand sanitizers.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
•  Most importantly, stop the wagon train and stay at home if you don’t feel well.

The center’s 4.2-mile trail system is open daily and includes waystations and interpretive signage.

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offers living history demonstrations, interpretive programs, exhibits, multimedia presentations, special events, and more than four miles of interpretive trails to tell the stories of Oregon Trail pioneers, explorers, miners and settlers of the frontier west. Hours of operation are Thursday – Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located just outside Baker City, Ore., take Exit 302 from Interstate 84 onto Oregon Highway 86 eastbound for five miles.