SPEAKER SERIES

GIVING OREGONIANS A VOICE AT OUR CAPITOL

Get inspired by true stories about everyday people who strive to create a better future for all Oregonians.

Sharing our state’s diverse history and heritage from varying perspectives inspires Oregonians of all backgrounds to engage in their communities. As old barriers exist and new barriers emerge, helping individuals and groups understand how they can bring the voice of their unique community to our Capitol is important. Award-winning Capitol History Gateway Speaker Series presentations illustrate this. And they show how easy it is to get involved in state government to create change.

Capitol History Gateway speaker series presentations and annual cultural events enrich the Capitol experience and celebrate the diversity of all who live in our great state. Whether you are an educator, student, history buff or Capitol visitor, we invite you to come listen to get inspired by the everyday Oregonians – people like you and me – who overcame challenges and broke barriers to improve the quality of life all Oregonians enjoy.

Your purchase of Pacific Wonderland license plates and gifts to the Capitol Foundation help give Oregonians a voice at our Capitol. Together, we are creating a better, more representative future for all. Thank you!

Watch past Capitol Foundation Speaker Series presentations

With the current closure of the 1938 building for construction, in-person presentations at our Capitol are temporarily postponed. Until we gather at our Capitol again, you can use the links below to watch videos past Speaker Series presentations.

• Congressman Les AuCoin: Catch and Release — An Oregon Life in Politics.
• George Nakata: Japanese Internment in WWI. Speaker brought to you by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Oregon State Capitol.
• Teddy Roosevelt Roadshow at the Oregon State Capitol.
• Miguel Herrada, Recognizing the Diversity Among Us.
• Dede Montgomery, author of My Music Man, has roots that trace back to William Willson (individual who named Salem, and namesake of Willson Park.
• Pat McCord Amacher and Gail Wells, authors of The Only Woman in the Room — The Norma Paulus Story.
• Warren Arney, co-author of Oregon Military.
• Bev Clarno, former Senator and author of From Pigs to Politics.
• Rep. Mitch Greenlick, author of Capitol Letters.
• Charles Johnson, author of Standing at the Water’s Edge.
• Jane Kirkpatrick.
• Barbara S. Mahoney, author of The Salem Clique: Oregon’s Founding Brothers.
• RC Marlen, historical fiction author.
• Floyd McKay, author of Reporting the Oregon Story.
• Kerani Mitchell.
• Gov. Barbara Roberts, author of Up the Capitol Steps.
• Jennifer Roberts discusses the bounty of recipes.
• Jim Todd, OMSI educator.
• Mae Yih, former Senator and author of East Meets West.

Interested in hearing more inspiring stories? Subscribe to the Oregon State Capitol YouTube channel to be notified about new oral history project interviews, another educational Capitol Foundation project that you make possible.

If you have questions about award-winning Capitol History Gateway programming including cultural events, displays, exhibits, presentations and other projects, contact the Oregon State Capitol Visitor Services at 503-986-1388 or visit the Oregon State Legislature webpage. 

YOU HELP PRESERVE HISTORY WHEN YOU GIVE TO THE CAPITOL FOUNDATION