Eugene officials open public archive for Black family records

The city of Eugene has opened a public call for photographs, documents, and personal stories to reconstruct the history of Black families in the city during the mid-20th century. The initiative aims to finalize a Black History context statement that is currently in progress. City officials state that the existing record is incomplete because many families have relocated or passed away, and they are working to capture available memories before they are lost.

Historically, Eugene and the state of Oregon presented challenges for Black residents. However, distinct communities formed and thrived, most notably on the north side of the Willamette River. This area, where Alton Baker Park is now located, was known as the 'across the bridge community.' Families who have remained in the city for generations have already contributed to the project's first phase.

The initial stage of the project involved collaboration with the organization Oregon Black Pioneers. City staff interviewed elders who described their arrival in Eugene and the specific hardships they faced. Fabio Andrade, manager of the office of Equity and Community Engagement, noted that these interviews also revealed the daily routines and social networks that allowed these families to survive. He stated that the stories highlighted the community's resiliency and the mutual support structures that sustained them.

"And what we do know about history that's just been passed, from, you know, grandparents to grandchildren and things like that, and also families that may have moved on, is that it's not complete now," Lorna Flormoe, equity and access planner with the city of Eugene, said. "It may never be complete, so we're getting as much as we can."

The city is now expanding its outreach to the general public to fill gaps in the historical record. Andrade said the goal is to better understand the experiences of people living in the 1940s and 1950s. He added that the city hopes to learn why some of these families are no longer in Eugene. The collected materials will serve as the primary source for the final version of the Black History context statement.

The city will accept public submissions through December 15, 2026. The project is part of the city's ongoing work to document local history through the office of Equity and Community Engagement.

The timeline for the project began with internal interviews with long-term residents and now moves to a public contribution period. The final context statement will rely on the documents and oral histories gathered during these two phases.