Listen to the river

Multi-media exhibit now on display

EUGENE:   “McKenzie   River Stories” is an interactive multi-media exhibit now on display at the Lane County Historical Museum. The goal of the exhibit is to draw residents of the greater Eugene area into a closer relationship with their only water source, the McKenzie River, with the end goal of promoting stewardship of this unique and beautiful river.

The exhibit showcases the work of the River Stories team – a group of undergraduates participating in the Environmental Leadership Program at the University of Oregon, working in collaboration with Randy Dersham of the McKenzie River Drift Boat Museum and the Lane County Historical Museum. Since 2013, the River Stories team has interviewed, documented, and learned from residents living, working, and recreating in the McKenzie River watershed. The exhibit features stories of the original McKenzie River drift boat builders, stories and audio clips from current residents, vivid river photographs and video footage, and a white water boat made by Woodie Hindman for Prince Helfrich.

The team describes the many voices featured in the exhibit as similar to “one of the many springs and streams that converge in the McKenzie River; before we can hear the ripples echo, we must first step in.” In the exhibit, the River Stories team encourages visitors to think about their own connection to the McKenzie and how to sustain a conversation with their water source. Guests are also invited to share their own river story. The exhibit will be up through December 2014.

Supporting the main exhibit, the team will also install “River Stories” around town at water fountains and other locations where people interact with the McKenzie. These posters feature photography and quotes about the river and further the team’s goal of promoting awareness, connection, and stewardship of the McKenzie River. To hear these stories and for more information: https://sites.google.com/site/mckenzieriverstories2014/.

Image above: Photo Courtesy McKenzie River Drift Boat Museum