Learn about the civil rights movement in Oregon and around the nation. The museum’s exhibitRacing to Change: Oregon’s Civil Rights YearsThe Eugene Story chronicles the movement in Eugene, Oregon, during the 1960s and 1970s—a time of great upheaval, conflict, and celebration as new voices clashed with traditional organizations of power.
Codeveloped by the museum and Oregon Black Pioneers, the exhibit illuminates legacies of racism and the unceasing efforts of Oregon's Black communities to bring about change. Explore the videos and activities below to learn what life was like during these pivotal years, and create a poster or mural to express your ideas about justice and fairness in our society. 
Oregon's Civil Rights Movement is also available in Spanish
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VIDEOS

Racing to Change
Meet Eugene's real civil rights heroes in these five short videos

Child interviewing grandfather
ACTIVITY

Learning from our Elders
Do you have a family member or friend, or know a community member, who was around during the 1960s and 1970s? Interview them and find out what they remember about the civil rights movement! Our handy guide has interview questions and tips for conducting a successful interview. 

Choose kindness poster
CRAFT

Design a Sign
Many civil rights activists participated in marches protesting injustice and encouraging fairness in our society. Create your own civil rights sign that you can display in your window at home. Our easy-to-follow instructions will show you how!

Civil Rights Activity Book
ACTIVITY

Civil Rights Activity Book
Presented by Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) and the Civil Rights Memorial Center, this free-to-download Civil Rights Activity Book uses puzzles, songs and photos to teach children about the events of the civil rights movement around the nation.

UO students in the 1970s
ACTIVITY

Picture Perfect
They say a photo is worth a thousand words. Scroll through these photos of Eugene's Black families and UO students, taken during the 1960s and 70s, to see what life was like then. Can you find some of your own family photo albums to explore? What do they tell you about your own history?   

Willie Richardson, OBP President
EXPLORE

Racing to Change at the Oregon Historical Society
Before the Eugene-focused Racing to Change exhibit premiered at our museum, the Oregon Historical Society hosted a version that focused more on Portland communities. Take a virtual tour of the exhibit online.  

 

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EXPLORE

Oregon Black Pioneers
Learn about Oregon Black Pioneers' mission to research, recognize, and commemorate the culture and heritage of African Americans in Oregon.   

Explore our other at-home adventures.

Please note: The University of Oregon has no control over the content offered by third party websites. Parents and guardians should monitor the online activities of their children to ensure the content is age appropriate and to ensure the safety of their children.