LOST CITY, LIVING MEMORIES:
Vanport Through the Voices of Its Residents
A Vanport Mosaic Virtual Oral History Screening & Conversation
Part of the Slough Fest series, hosted by the Bird Alliance of Oregon his event is part of the Slough Fest series, hosted by the Bird Alliance of Oregon. Check out the full program here.
Hosted and Facilitated by Bruce Poinsette
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM PST
Tickets: FREE. RSVP required
Location: Virtual. You will receive the Zoom link to join us closer to the event date.
The Story of Vanport
A “miracle city.” A “sociological experiment.” A “municipal monstrosity.” A “nasty ghetto.”
During its short life from 1942 to 1948, Vanport, Oregon’s second-largest city and the nation’s largest public housing project, drew national attention and divided opinion. For over 40,000 residents, Vanport was simply home.
When the Columbia River flooded on Memorial Day in 1948, the entire city was erased from the map and much of Portland’s memory in a single day.
Wed, March 4, 2026
6:00-7:00 pm
FREE. Virtual event
The Event
Through archival footage, historic photographs, and compelling first-person narratives, Lost City, Living Memories creates a rich mosaic of the vibrant community that made up Vanport and commemorates the tragedy that displaced it.
For the past decade, Vanport Mosaic has collaborated with former Vanport residents and their descendants. Together, we have built the largest collection of oral history recordings about Vanport’s community life, the flood, and its aftermath, ensuring the preservation and honor of one of Oregon's most pivotal historical communities.
This event is made possible with the generous support of the
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
Meet the Facilitator
Bruce Poinsette is a writer, digital storyteller, and organizer whose work is primarily based in the Portland Metro Area. A former reporter for the Skanner News Group, his writing has also appeared in the Oregonian, Street Roots, Oregon Humanities, and Eater PDX, among other publications. He is a 2022 Oregon Humanities Storytelling Fellow and 2024 Skidmore Prize Finalist. More info here.
About Vanport Mosaic
Vanport Mosaic is a platform for memory activism. We believe remembering is an act of resistance. Rooted in Vanport and shaped by local communities, we amplify, honor, and preserve silenced histories through oral history, public programs, artistic practice, and our annual festival, connecting past and present to shape a future where we all belong.