African Americans have deep historical connections to the West and their stories are often overlooked. Here is a deep dive into these stories and histories. -- Jem J.
Research your family history
Research your family history with these popular resources.
Juneteenth at the library: History and ways to celebrate with family
The first Juneteenth in Portland was led by Clara Peoples in 1945.
African Song and Dance Workshop
Join Habiba, a native of Ghana, in learning the richness of West African culture through song and dance. Habiba offers an interactive, multicultural performance with authentic West African costume, spiced with singing and movement. The whole audience gets involved in simple dance steps, call and response, greetings and phrases, and rhythm drumming.
This event is first come, first served.
Black Family Storytime: Juneteenth
The African and African American experience comes alive for children from birth to age 6 (with their favorite adult/family members). Have fun with books and stories, songs, and movement activities in a positive and affirming environment. Black Storytime builds language and literacy skills your child needs to be ready for kindergarten.
Attendance is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Multnomah County Library storytimes are supported by gifts made to The Library Foundation.
Black Family Storytime: Hello Sunshine!
Join us for a magical Black Family Storytime that celebrates African and African American heritage and culture! Children from birth to age 6 (with their favorite adult/family members) will have fun with books and stories, songs, a craft, and movement activities in a positive and affirming environment. Black Storytime builds language and literacy skills your child needs to be ready for kindergarten.
Attendance is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Multnomah County Library storytimes are supported by gifts made to The Library Foundation.
Gresham Library history
Built in 1990 and renovated in 1998, today's Gresham Library replaced a small brick building that had become far too small for Oregon's fourth largest city.
The library serves residents of Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, Corbett and other East County communities. The original architect was SERA Architects P.C.
Hollywood Library history
Hollywood Library has been serving its Northeast Portland community since 1917, although not always called by the same name nor located in the same spot.
Midland Library history
Since it opened in 1958, Midland Library has been one of the busiest libraries in Multnomah County. To meet the demand, the building underwent several renovations to expand its space.
Rockwood Library history
Rockwood Library has been serving east Multnomah County since its construction in 1963. The original library building was 5,724 square feet. In 1999, the building was renovated and expanded to 6,435 square feet. The original architects were Stewart, Richardson, Allen and McMath.
Woodstock Library history
The current Woodstock Library building of 7,500 sq. ft. opened in 2000, replacing a smaller library on the same site. The library building received numerous awards for its elegant and functional design, including a national honor from the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association.
History of Kwanzaa at North Portland Library
The North Portland Library has been participating in community-wide Kwanzaa celebrations since 2000. Educator and community leader Joyce Harris has been a staple for Kwanzaa in Portland since the early years of celebrations, dating back to the early 1970s in someone’s home.
Illustrated biographies for elementary ages about girls and women who have an impact on our world.
BlackPast (Website)
A wealth of knowledge on Black history in one central location.
Black history timelines, profiles on Black people contributing to Black history, and full-text speeches and other primary documents dating from 1789-2016.
Gregory Heights Library history
The first Gregory Heights library opened its doors as a reading room in the 1930s. The current library, renovated in 1998-99, has been serving Northeast Portland in its current location since 1966.
Fairview-Columbia Library history
Opened in 2001, Fairview-Columbia Library serves residents in Fairview, Troutdale, Corbett and other east Multnomah County communities. The building housed the library on the ground floor and four market-rate apartments above. It was Multnomah County’s first mixed-use library building. The architect was Group Mackenzie; Thomas Hacker and Associates, Inc., served as tenant improvement consultant.
St. Johns Library history
Library services in the neighborhood date back to at least 1903, with a deposit station. St. Johns Library opened at its current library location in 1914. The building was designed by architects Folger Johnson and Donald Mayer. St. Johns Library is one of the remaining Carnegie libraries in Oregon.
Capitol Hill Library history
Originally opened in 1972, Capitol Hill Library serves the Southwest Portland community. The building is 6,060 square feet, and the original architects were Allen, McMath and Hawkins, A.I.A. More recently, Capitol Hill Library received refresh updates, including fresh paint, new seating and updated technology.
South West Asian and North African Ceramics for Adults
Using basic, beginner-friendly techniques, create unique small projects in clay. In honor of Arab-American Heritage Month, artist Jess Graff will provide images and context of South West Asian and North African Ceramics that have inspired them as a Lebanese-American artist.
This is a two-part class with a two-week gap, on May 11 & May 25. Between classes, student creations will be fired in a kiln. Participants must attend both sessions. This class is for adults and older teens.
Registration opens April 27.
Made possible by The National Endowment for the Humanities Fund of The Library Foundation.
South West Asian and North African Ceramics for Adults
Using basic, beginner-friendly techniques, create unique small projects in clay. In honor of Arab-American Heritage Month, artist Jess Graff will provide images and context of South West Asian and North African Ceramics that have inspired them as a Lebanese-American artist.
This is a two-part class with a two-week gap, on May 11 & May 25. Between classes, student creations will be fired in a kiln. Participants must attend both sessions. This class is for adults and older teens.
Registration opens April 27.
Made possible by The National Endowment for the Humanities Fund of The Library Foundation.
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