OREGON CITY — It’ll be a long and arduous journey emblematic of the original 1840s Oregon Trail migration itself.
But, in the end, some years from now, restoration of the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive and Visitor Center in Oregon City should produce a beacon of history, education, and pride for the state and citizens of all backgrounds. An updated venue will include a new addition housing original wagons, a beautiful plank house, amphitheater events, and expanded programming. And, perhaps, the bonnets — or something more creative — will once again cover the huge wagon framework structures that highlight the three buildings at 1726 Washington St. in Oregon’s first city.
“We’re looking to revitalize the whole campus. I don’t see any roadblocks,” said Corinne Lowenthal, the enthusiastic executive director of Clackamas Heritage Partners, which runs the center and has teamed with the city of Oregon City, the Historic Oregon City organization, and other entities on the ambitious project. “It’s all about donors and financing at this point.”…