Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center

Specialties

Small museum which shares and preserves Japanese American history and culture in Portland’s Old Town neighborhood, where Japantown once thrived.

Group tours of the museum, speaking engagements for classrooms or other community groups, and research appointments at the Legacy Center are available.

History

Established in 1998.

The vision for the Legacy Center was initially adopted by the Oregon Nikkei Endowment Board in 1995. It envisioned a multi-​purpose facility where items of historical importance to Oregon Nikkei could be preserved and where the unique character and traditions of its culture could flourish and find expression. By 1996 and with the help of the late Bill Naito, the committee had located a potential site owned by the H. Naito Corporation on Northwest Front Avenue across from the Japanese American Historical Plaza. Negotiation for acquiring the property and bringing it up to city building codes began, but were suspended upon the untimely death of Mr. Naito. Subsequently, Sam Naito and the H. Naito Corporation proposed an alternative site in Old Town on NW Second Avenue. In September of 2004, the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center relocated to 121 NW Second Avenue, the current home of the Legacy Center.

Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center also recommends

Lan Su Chinese Garden — Temp. CLOSED

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Botanical Gardens

Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center says,

«A beautiful garden located in one square block of Portland’s Old Town/​Chinatown neighborhood (formerly Portland Classical Chinese Garden).»

Japanese American Historical Plaza

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Landmarks & Historic Buildings

,

Park & Forests

Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center says,

«Recalling the journey of Japanese immigrants and the 110,000 Japanese Americans who were put in internment camps during World War II.»