Education
Tours and School Programs
Tours at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center are designed to tell the story of people of Japanese descent (Nikkei) in Oregon before, during, and after World War II. Tour themes and activities are designed to connect with curriculum and Common Core Standards in the areas of Language Arts, Social Science and American History. Inquiry-based tours at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center are thematic and are lead by our trained volunteer docents. Scheduling details are below.
In addition to self-guided tours (please confirm availability in advance), the following options are available for docent-guided tours:
Oregon Nikkei: Reflections of an American Community (permanent exhibition)
Our standard tour is designed to tell the story of people of Japanese descent (Nikkei) in Oregon and their struggles before, during, and after World War II. This exhibition gives students the opportunity to learn about a specific time in history, while also exploring universal ideas such as community, identity, immigration and civil rights.
Identity (Recommended for grades 3-5)
Students will discuss the concept of identity in relation to the story of the Oregon Nikkei. They will draw on their own understanding of "identity" to explore these questions: What identifies you and makes you who you are? What can change or shape your identity? Is identity something we take with us no matter where we go? How do you think the Japanese American's identity might have changed after living in the internment camps?
Civil Rights (Recommended for grades 7-12)
Students will explore the concept of civil rights in relation to the story of the Oregon Nikkei. They will discuss the Bill of Rights and what they mean for all Americans. Students will uncover the stories of Nikkei who were stripped of their civil rights, as well as the role of the government during a difficult time in American history.
Japanese American Historical Plaza
The Plaza is an internationally recognized, award-winning public park located at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland. Located two blocks from the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, the Plaza is a memorial to the 120,000 men, woman and children held against their will in internment camps during WWII. A guided tour of the Plaza will help students interpret historical events and provide an opportunity to reflect on the past.
Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center in the Classroom
Museum in a Suitcase Program - developed by the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, with assistance from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
 Let us bring the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center to your classroom! Our docents will come to your classroom and share the Japanese American experience in Oregon with your students through the use of primary resources, such as visual images and artifacts. A teacher guide with resources and lesson plans aligned to Common Core Standards is also included.
The primary resources included in the suitcase cover the following topics:
- Early Japanese Immigration to Oregon
- Creating Communities – Life in Nihonmachi (Portland's Japantown)
- Incarceration Story – World War II, Executive Order 9066, civil rights, Evacuation Process, Portland Assembly Center, Transfer to WRA Camps, Life in Camp, U.S. Military, End of the War, Resettlement Process, and Redress
Speakers Bureau
Oregon Nikkei Endowment speakers are available for classroom visits, school assemblies, civic organizations, and other groups. Each speaker is well versed to talk about the Japanese American experience during World War II as well as the broader topics of civil rights, citizenship and the Constitution.
Please visit our Resources & Services page for links to other educational resources about the Nikkei experience.
Pricing & Scheduling
MUSEUM AND PLAZA TOURS: $3.50 per student, $5.00 per adult (with three complimentary adult admissions per school group).
SPEAKERS BUREAU AND MUSEUM IN A SUITCASE: $55 per class/talk.
To schedule your group for one of our programs, please fill out the Request Form and mail, fax, or e-mail it to the Oregon Nikkei Endowment office. Contact us (2-4 weeks in advance requested) with questions or to discuss your options:
Oregon Nikkei Endowment
121 NW 2nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
Phone: 503-224-1458
Fax: 503-224-1459
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Museum in a Suitcase
Speakers Bureau
Pricing & Scheduling
Request Form
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 Collections
The Legacy Center has a wealth of resources documenting Japanese American history and culture, housing original manuscripts, government documents and publications, as well as historical and contemporary artifacts and photographs.
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What is Nikkei?
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For information on administrative hours,
please call us at 503-224-1458.
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Japanese American Historical Plaza
