INCLUDES DEEP-DIGGING, AND REALLY FUN VIDEO | It’s amazing the breadth and depth topics on display at this unique event, held for the first time ever in outer East Portland event, in Gateway Discovery Park …
In the Hazelwood neighborhood’s Gateway Discover Park, the 2025 Archaeology Roadshow is set up, and ready for visitors!
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The location of the 2025 Archaeology Roadshow – Gateway Discover Park – seemed fitting, because it was all about local heritage – and the science and art of archaeology. It was local history, in a fun and engaging way.
“Indeed, the Archaeology Roadshow is all about discovery,” said the founder and organizer of the May 31st event, Virginia Butler.
Helping everyday residents to learn more about archaeology and anthropology can affect their daily lives! That’s the goal of the Roadshow’s organizer, retired PSU professor Virginia Butler.
“I’m a retired professor of Portland State University (PSU), in the fields of archaeology and anthropology,” Butler introduced herself. “About 13 years ago, I helped start the Archaeology Roadshow to provide an opportunity for those of us who work in archaeology to share what we do with the general public.”
Take a tour of the highlights of this year’s Archaeology Roadshow:
“Today, we’re featuring 37 pop-up exhibits and hands-on activities hosted by archaeologists, as well as by community members from universities, Native American Tribes, governmental agencies, archaeology companies, museums, and nonprofit cultural organizations,” Butler told East Portland News.
With support from the East Portland Action Plan, PSU, and other sponsors, the Roadshow moved from the downtown campus of PSU to outer East Portland.
Displaying and demonstrating ancient hunting weapons are US Fish and Wildlife Service archaeologist Patrick Rennaker, and PSU anthropology graduate student Erin Miermans.
“This year’s theme is ‘The Archaeology of Art & Craft’ – so, our exhibits and hands-on activities are focusing on ways the skills of the traditional artisan and master craftsman are reflected both in past records, and in the living heritage art forms and traditions passed down through generations,” Butler pointed out.
“While we’ve worked to make this a fun, family-friendly event that introduces visitors of all ages to the fields of archaeology and anthropology, we’re doing it in a way instills a sense of stewardship and respect for our diverse and complex history.”
Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association President Paul Leistner, and Montavilla neighborhood historian Pat Sanders, share the rich past of their localities with visitors.
These exhibits were not only about the northwestern Oregon region, but also featured very local exhibits.
Representatives from the Rocky Butte Preservation Society and historians from Mt. Tabor and Montavilla and the Gresham Historical Society each told about the past of their areas. Additionally, PSU students created an exhibit about the history of the Gateway District – including the park in which the event was held!
Kitty Kier – visiting from the Laurelhurst neighborhood — brought to the Roadshow an artifact to be evaluated by retired archaeologist Stan McDonald, to determine the object’s age and its possible function.
Watching the event unfold, Butler smiled softly and observed, “Doing this is important because the more people know about their local history – what has happened here – the stronger is the connection they feel to it. As a result, we’re likely to feel a greater commitment to making this a better place for all of us to live.”
>> On our Front Page: US Army Corps of Engineers Portland District archaeologist Leslie Crippen, shows an accent dish that was uncovered at one of their dig sites.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
click here to subscribe
