PROGRAM (in progress)
FRIDAY, MAY 22 · 7:30 PM
From Maxville to Vanport: A Celebration of Oregon's Black History
Location: Lana Miles Performing Arts Center (Roosevelt High School), 6941 N Central St
Tickets: Buy tickets ($5–$35)
A multimedia concert of songs and short films telling the story of two historic Oregon towns — Maxville, a logging town built in 1923, and Vanport, built to house shipyard workers in 1942 — that became places of opportunity and refuge for Black Oregonians. Composed by Ezra Weiss with lyrics by S. Renee Mitchell and films by Kalimah Abioto. Performed by vocalist Marilyn Keller with the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
ANNUAL REUNION FOR VANPORT RESIDENTS, FLOOD SURVIVORS & DESCENDANTS
Private event by invitation only
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 · 9:30–9:45 AM
City of Portland's Proclamation for a Vanport Day of Remembrance
Location: Portland City Hall
Admission: Free and open to the public
Join Vanport survivors and descendants, and Vanport Mosaic memory activists, as we commemorate the anniversary of the Memorial Day flood that destroyed Vanport in 1948.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 · 6:00 – 8:00 PM
LOST CITY, LIVING MEMORIES: VANPORT THROUGH THE VOICES OF ITS RESIDENTS
Location: Alberta House
Screening of short oral history documentaries from the Vanport Mosaic collection, featuring special guests from the Vanport community. With a live musical performance by the Northwest Freedom Singers.
THURSDAY, MAY 28 · 3:00 PM
A Ripple Through Time: The Legacy of Vanport in Albina
Location: Kennedy School — tour meets outside the Kennedy School gift shop
Tickets: Register here
On the tour, you'll explore the property and learn about the resiliency of the historically Black neighborhood of Albina in the decades following the Vanport Flood.
THURSDAY, MAY 28 · 6:00 – 7:30 PM
BIRDWATCHING & HISTORY WALKING TOUR
Location: Force Lake, 11415 N Force Ave
Join Marti Clemmons, archivist and historian at Portland State University, and Bo Lyons (BIRDHERS) as we explore a space where history and nature intersect.
FRIDAY, MAY 29 · 6–8 PM
Memories In The Taking
Location: Alberta House
A staged reading of selected narratives from the SHARP study — Sharing History through Active Reminiscence and Photo-imagery — accompanied by historical neighborhood images and era music. Created by life-long Portlander Dr. Raina Croff (OHSU), the project engages older Black adults with and without memory loss in walking the Albina district with old photos, prompting conversational reminiscence about living and working there before gentrification. Directed by Raina Croff and Clarice Bailey.
SATURDAY, MAY 30 · 9:30 – 3:30 PM
WHAT VANPORT TEACHES WORKSHOP
Location: Historic Alberta House, 5131 NE 23rd Ave.
Tickets: Register here
A hands-on workshop for educators bringing Vanport's history into the classroom. Engage as a learner, exploring past student projects, experimenting with place-based learning strategies, and gaining practical facilitation tools to share with your students and colleagues.
SUNDAY, MAY 31 · 2–4 PM
Closing Community Celebration
Location: Alberta House
Admission: Free and open to the public
Hosted by Chisao Hata. Join us to mark the close of the 11th Vanport Mosaic Festival in community.
OPEN GALLERY HOURS
Exhibits at Alberta House
Location: Historic Alberta House, 5131 NE 23rd Ave
Admission: Free entrance>
Open hours:
- Sunday, May 24 · 2–5 PM
- Monday, May 25 · 2–5 PM
- Wednesday, May 27 · 4–6 PM
- Friday, May 29 · 2–5 PM
- Sunday, May 31 · 10 AM–1 PM and 4:30–6 PM
Vanport: A Surge of Social Change
A curated collection exploring Vanport's lasting legacy.
The Climate Refugees of Vanport
Paintings by Henk Pander.
Impressions of Vanport
Artwork created by 3rd grade students at Buckman Elementary and Sauvie Island School.