By The Skanner News | The Skanner News Published: 21 November 2016 The Skanner News screened the newest edition of the Wake of Vanport series at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland. The 2016 series features 10 new stories of Vanport survivors.
The Wake of Vanport oral history project aims to capture the memories of those who lived in Vanport before the town was destroyed by a flood in 1948.
Historian and author Zita Podany gave a brief talk about life in the hastily constructed workforce housing town. Demand for workers in the Kaiser shipyards brought people from all over the United States to the area.
At one point, the population of Vanport had swelled to over 40,000 residents, making it the second largest city in Oregon.
After the screening, Vanport survivor Lee Moore led a discussion about the importance of Vanport history. Delta Park and the Portland International Raceway have been developed over the grounds of the former city.
Moore advocated for a permanent memorial of Vanport to be placed where the town once was.
To see pictures from the event, click through the slideshow below.
Wake of Vanport Screening at the Hollywood Theatre Nov 20, 2016
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screened at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
Vanport documentary storytellers Betty Duelen, Ed Washington, Eleanora Larson, Dorothy Hadley, Hurtis Hadley, Henry Kaiser, Curnel Walden and John Beverage at the Wake of Vanport screening at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screened at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary showed to a nearly full theater at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary showed to a nearly full theater at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary showed to a nearly full theater at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
Attendees at the Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screening at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
Attendees at the Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screening at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
Attendees at the Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screening at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screened at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screened at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screened at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screened at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
Vanport documentary storytellers Betty Duelen, Ed Washington, Eleanora Larson, Dorothy Hadley, Hurtis Hadley, Henry Kaiser, Curnel Walden and John Beverage at the Wake of Vanport screening at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screened at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary showed to a nearly full theater at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary showed to a nearly full theater at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary showed to a nearly full theater at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
Attendees at the Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screening at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
Attendees at the Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screening at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
Attendees at the Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screening at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screened at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screened at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
The Wake of Vanport oral history documentary screened at the historic Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland November 20, 2016.
To read Kam Williams' review of the documentary, click here.
MLK Breakfast
