BAKER CITY — After more than four years, visitors can again experience the Oregon Trail story through exhibits and living history programs at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

It reopens to the public at 1 p.m. Friday, May 24. To mark the occasion, admission will be free May 24-26.

The center, which opened in 1992, is operated by the Bureau of Land Management. It was first closed due to pandemic restrictions and then, in March 2022, for extensive renovation work designed to improve the building’s energy efficiency.

The $6.5 million project included new siding, insulation, roofing, windows and doors, as well as upgraded heating and cooling systems for the 30,000-square-foot facility.

NHOTIC’s reopening will coincide with the opening of Gary Ernest Smith’s art show “Towards Home: The People, Places and Culture of Eastern Oregon” at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center in Baker City.

Smith painted the iconic image for the poster of the opening of the National Oregon Trail Interpretive Center at Flagstaff Hill in 1992. The original is in the permanent collection of the Booth Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, but it will be on loan to the BLM during his show.

Also, Smith’s newly commissioned painting “Pioneers Pass Through Baker Valley” will be unveiled May 24 and become part of the permanent collection at NHOTIC.

In addition, an exhibition titled “Westward” will run concurrently in NHOTIC’s gallery space that features art from around the region.

Schedule

For the summer, the center will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for ages 16 and older or $6 for seniors, and is good for two days with a receipt.

Beginning May 31, ranger programs will be offered at 1 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Looking ahead, Oregon Trail Days will be June 7-8 in Geiser-Pollman Park in Baker City. Visitors can see interpretive programs with Karen Haas and Mike Follin, and partake in activities for all ages.

Mercantile

The opening will also unveil the new Lone Pine Mercantile, which is run by Friends of NHOTIC through Crossroads Carnegie Art Center. The shop features regional artwork, books and other items related to the Oregon Trail. Also, food offerings include sandwiches made by the Baker Food Co-op and cheese items from The Cheese Fairy.

How to get there

The center is located five miles east of Baker City on Oregon Highway 86 (take exit 302 from Interstate 84).

The 500-acre site includes remnants of the historic Flagstaff Gold Mine and visitors can see a replica 1800s blacksmith shop with authentic tools, a replica of an 1860s mine shaft and a stamp mill from the Rabbit Mine in Greenhorn that dates to the turn of the century.

In addition to the indoor exhibits, the center is surrounded by a trail system that takes visitors to the actual Oregon Trail ruts. It is located along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway.

Information

For updates, visit oregontrail.blm.gov.