PENDLETON — The Umatilla County Historical Society celebrates 50 years in 2024, and the fundraising gala in June features the theme “50 Years of Telling the Story.”

Tickets are available now and cost $30 for members or $35 for nonmembers. The summer gala is June 22, 6-9 p.m. at the Heritage Station Museum, 108 SW Frazer Ave.

The evening features music by James Dean Kindle, a no-host bar, heavy appetizers and a silent auction.

Tickets are available at heritagestationmuseum.org or the museum’s gift shop. Proceeds from the evening support the historical society’s mission to preserve county history.

About the society

The roots of a local historical organization date to May 1963 when the Pioneer Memorial Association was organized by local citizens with the goal of forming a museum.

However, according to museum history, no site was chosen and that association became inactive in 1970.

In 1973, the Pendleton Improvement Committee of the Pendleton Woman’s Club met with a focus on local history. The Umatilla County Historical Society was founded in 1974 and work began to collect local artifacts.

By 1980, the growing collection was stored at various places in Pendleton. In 1981, Blue Mountain Community College donated the Jim Sturgis Collection of photographs and other historical items and this prompted the society to find a permanent location.

The first spot was in a storefront at 29 SW Emigrant Ave.

However, when the Union Pacific Railroad ceased passenger service and closed the railroad depot in 1984, locals began pursuing this location as a possible home for the museum. The railroad leased the property to the city in 1987, and the city subleased it to the historical society.

Heritage Station Museum opened in September 1988.

Today, the museum continues to educate visitors about local history and has special programs and events throughout the year. The grounds also feature the Byrd School and Fix Cabin, which were both relocated from near Pilot Rock, and a caboose donated by Union Pacific.

Greg Holden has been involved with the society and museum “since it started, just about.” He taught fourth grade in Pendleton for many years, and in the 1990s he developed a tour for fourth-grade visitors learning the history of Oregon and Umatilla County.

Although he’s “mostly retired,” Holden still helps with those tours sometimes, especially the activity of making quilt squares out of paper.

He encourages people of all ages to visit the museum.

“Come and visit,” he said. “We have lots to show and lots to tell.”

The m

useum

Heritage Station Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed in January and February.

Admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors/veterans/military, $5 students or $20 for a family.

Yearly memberships are $50 individual, $70 family and $100 business. These include free admission to the museum and other perks. For information, visit heritagestationmuseum.org.

Did You Know?

James Dean Kindle’s new album “Trail Mix” was released April 6, 2024. In this, his first full-length album in six year, Kindle “is settin’ out to wrangle the emotions of the heart, just like a cowboy on the open range.”

According to a press release, the collection of 10 songs “explores all facets of romantic love through lyrics celebrating the western landscape and utilization of the song forms of western swing and cowboy trail songs.”

The album was recorded and mixed by Mike Vasquez at the Peter Cherry House in Astoria. Featured musicians include members of Kindle’s Country Combo — pedal steel guitarist Roger Conley, bassist Aaron Engum and drummer/percussionist Dan Galucki.

50th Anniversary Gala

The Umatilla County Historical Society’s fundraising gala is June 22, 2024, 6-9 p.m. at Heritage Station Museum, 108 SW Frazer Ave. in Pendleton. The theme is “50 Years of Telling the Story.”

The evening features music by James Dean Kindle, who recently released “Trail Mix,” his first full-length album in six years.

Tickets are $30 members or $35 nonmembers. The gala includes a no-host bar (each ticket includes a free drink ticket), heavy appetizers, music and a silent auction.

Purchase tickets at heritagestationmuseum.org or in the museum’s gift shop.