Baker City, Oregon__It’s spring! Beautiful Spring! And activities along the byway are warming up. In addition to a greening landscape, frolicking baby animals everywhere, and the gorgeous blue sky, byway attractions and communities are creating fun and educational ways for travelers to enjoy Spring Break. Note: Spring in Eastern Oregon is very capricious. When planning to be outdoors, dress in layers and be prepared for sunshine, rain, wind, even a little snow! You may get them all.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is hosting several workshops and activities suitable for families during Spring Break, March 24 through the 27.
Trail Tenders is sponsoring workshops on tasks of our pioneer ancestors as they prepared for their Oregon Trail journey. Learn to dip a beeswax candle, concoct herbal teas, make simple toys, turn a goose feather into a quill pen, and bake hardtack. Costumed interpreters will guide each activity sharing facts and stories, and creating items to take home. On Tuesday and Wednesday of Spring Break Week, there is a pioneer luncheon, cooked in Dutch ovens using Oregon Trail-era recipes. Bring the whole family and make a day of it! Pre-registration is suggested; limited space availability. To register call (541) 523-1852 or email ots1844@gmail.com
Monday March 24; $5 per activity plus entrance fee; 10:30 a.m. – Make a Rag Doll and Handkerchief Doll; 1 p.m. – Sew a Pouch and pick out seeds, learn gardening tips and techniques of the pioneers.
Tuesday March 25: “Pioneer Family Package Deal” $35; for two Adults (16 & over) and two Children (15 & under); includes entrance fees; 10:30 a.m. – Make Hardtack; noon – Pioneer Dutch Oven Lunch (Bison Stew, Fruit Cobbler, Biscuits, Lemonade); 1 p.m. – Dip Candles
Wednesday March 26: “Pioneer Family Package Deal” $35; for two Adults (16 & over) and two Children (15 & under); includes entrance fees; 10:30 a.m. – Journal Making; noon – Pioneer Dutch Oven Lunch (Chicken and Dumplings, Apple Crisp, Lemonade); 1 p.m.-Carve a Quill and Make Ink
Thursday March 27; $5 per activity plus entrance fee; 10:30 a.m. – Make a Tin Lantern; 1 p.m. – A Pioneer Apothecary: Herbs as Medicine and make a paper pouch.
The interactive children’s exhibit “Wagons Ho!” is open daily throughout the month.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, operated by the Bureau of Land Management, is located east of Baker City, Oregon. Take Exit 302 from Interstate-84 onto Oregon Highway 86 and proceed five miles. The Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $5; seniors are $3.50; and children 15 and under are free. Federal passes are accepted.
Visit oregontrail.blm.gov for more information about the Center or call (541) 523-1843 for an update on programs and events. For information on other events in Baker County, Oregon, call (800) 523-1235.
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