Oregonians of all ages are invited to weigh in on the state statues in the National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol Building. Currently, statues of Dr. John McLoughlin and Rev. Jason Lee represent Oregon in Washington, D.C. The two pioneers were selected in 1921 by the Oregon State Legislature.
In August, Gov. John Kitzhaber established a Statuary Hall Study Commission to decide whether the current statues should be replaced and brought back to Oregon. Now the group is seeking the public's opinion before making a final decision.
Dr. John McLoughlin, originally from Quebec, came to the U.S. to join the North West Company in the fur trade, according to the Oregon History Project. He moved his family just north of Portland in 1824 to establish Fort Vancouver where he continued to expand his business. Later in his life, McLoughlin provided food and assistance to travelers on the Oregon Trail.
In 1833, the Reverend Jason Lee was one of the first Methodist missionaries to travel the Oregon Trail and settle here. The Oregon History Project website notes that after moving to Oregon, he worked to convert Native American tribes to Christianity.
Contenders to replace McLoughlin and Lee in the Statuary Hall include:
Oregonians are encouraged to make their own recommendations as well if they think of other qualifying candidates. You can submit your vote on the Oregon Historical Society's website.
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