African-Americans were simply not allowed to live in Oregon, under the exclusion laws passed early in the state's history.
But the enforcement of the laws was spotty, and there IS a record of black habitation in the face of racism.
The Oregon Black Pioneers and the State Historic Preservation Officeare joining forces to make sure that history is highlighted and preserved.
In this interview, we hear about the program called "Preserving Oregon's African American Historic Places."