Learn about Nimiipuu History with the Nez Perce on July 21 at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center in Baker City.

BAKER CITY — Despite being closed for renovations, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is keeping history alive in Baker City.

Exhibits that introduce guests to the story of the Oregon Trail are set up inside Baker Heritage Museum, 2480 Grove St.

And this summer, special performances are planned throughout Baker City with visiting interpreters.

Karen Haas

Storyteller Karen Haas will present two programs July 9 and 10 at the museum.

“Wagons West!” can be seen at 10 a.m. both days, and she returns for “Tales and Tunes of the Trail” at 2 p.m. Haas first performed at the Interpretive Center in 2009, and has returned every year since — except 2020.

Nimiipuu History

The Nez Perce Tribe will present “Nimiipuu History” at 6 p.m. July 21, at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn Ave.

Nimiipuu, which means “The People,” is the tribe’s preferred name. The ancestral homelands include portions of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Wyoming.

Nez Perce Tourism offers history-laden jet boat tours and white water rafting trips from its headquarters in Lewiston, Idaho. To learn more, visit the website, www.nezpercetraditions.com.

Dr. Balthasar

Mike Follin will become Dr. Balthasar and try to cure all that ails his audience in shows set for Aug. 5-7.

The first is a bit different. It’s called “Saints Preserve Us” and can be seen at 6 p.m. Aug. 5 at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center.

Then he’ll move his show to Geiser-Pollman Park (just across the street from Baker Heritage Museum) for presentations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Aug. 6 and 7.

Follin lives 45 miles north of Columbus, Ohio. He first appeared at the Interpretive Center in 1993, and has returned every year since then.

He worked as an education interpreter for the Ohio Historical Society. He developed the character of Dr. Balthasar 40 years ago for a summer program. He did research for about six months, and plucked the name Balthasar from a Cincinnati newspaper printed in the 1820s.