Eugene seeks public records to complete Black history archive

The city of Eugene is requesting personal stories, photographs, and historical documents from the public to expand its record of Black life in the city. The materials will be used to finalize a Black History context statement currently under development. Lorna Flormoe, the city’s equity and access planner, stated that the goal is to capture as much history as possible before it is lost.

The project aims to document the experiences of Black families in Eugene across the last century. While Oregon and the city have historically presented challenges to Black residents, distinct communities formed and thrived. One notable group was the “across the bridge community” located on the north side of the Willamette River. This area is now the site of Alton Baker Park. Some of the families from this community remain in Eugene and have already contributed their memories to the project.

In the initial phase of the effort, city officials worked with the organization Oregon Black Pioneers to collect narratives from long-standing residents. Fabio Andrade, manager of the office of Equity and Community Engagement, reported that these interviews included accounts of how elders arrived in Eugene and the hardships they faced. Andrade noted that the stories also detailed day-to-day life, community resiliency, and the joy residents found in supporting one another.

The city is now expanding its outreach to the general public to fill gaps in the larger historical record. Andrade said the team hopes to gain a clearer understanding of people who lived in the 1940s and 1950s. The project also seeks to understand why some Black families are no longer in Eugene. Flormoe acknowledged that the history passed from grandparents to grandchildren is not complete and may never be, making the current collection effort essential.

Residents may submit their contributions through December 15, 2026. The collected materials will serve as the foundation for the final Black History context statement. The project addresses the need to document a history that has been fragmented by time and family movement.