My historical interpretation of Hiram Gorman a few weeks ago opened my eyes as to what it means to be a black pioneer of Oregon. As part of the Oregon Black Pioneers \u201cBackroads to Black History Tour, we were treated to many locations that reflected how blacks have made a significant impact in Oregon despite the racism they encountered from Oregon\u2019s territory days to the present.<\/p>\n
We started at the Salem Pioneer Cemetery where several historical black figures of Salem are buried. It was at this location that I portrayed a gentleman by the name of Hiram Gorman.\u00a0 He was a former slave born in Macon, MO that served as a teamster during the Civil War and lived in Montana before finally settling in Salem, OR.\u00a0 He worked as a newspaper pressman for 10 years in Salem until his death in 1888.<\/p>\n
Hiram\u2019s path to Oregon was the same as many blacks who migrated west. Many came from the Midwest or Deep South with their slave masters and after gaining their freedom remained in the area to serve as the foundation of the black community that still exists today.\u00a0 Many of these pioneers were Gardeners, Blacksmiths, Cooks, and business owners all this at a time when Oregon had black exclusion laws on the books until 1925.<\/p>\n
In Hiram\u2019s case there is a bit of an interesting twist. His mother and sister came to Oregon long before he did and as a matter of fact, it was twenty five years before he and his mother were reunited in Corvallis, OR which is where one of our stops on the tour took place.\u00a0 It was at the home of Hanna and Eliza Gorman who were the mother and sister of Hiram respectively.\u00a0 After gaining their freedom from their master, Hannah and Eliza bought property in Corvallis and built a home where they were gainfully employed as a laundress and seamstress.\u00a0 According to public records, both were well respected in the community by blacks and whites.\u00a0 During the time in which Hiram was separated from his family, his sister died (1869) which was just two years before he left Montana for Oregon.\u00a0 At some point he reconnected with his mother and it is believed that she stayed with him until her death in 1888.\u00a0 Hiram died only a few weeks later.<\/p>\n
Other stops on the tour where well known pioneering blacks were buried included the Mt. Union Cemetery in Philomath as well as the Helvetia Community Church in Hillsboro, OR.<\/p>\n
Our final stop on the tour was at the Abbey Creek Winery in North Plains. Here we were treated to a sampling of various wines at the first black owned winery in Oregon.\u00a0 The owner, Bertony Faustin will be featured in the wine based reality show, Best Bottle in addition to being nominated for the \u201cBest Winery of Portland\u201d.\u00a0 This by far was my most memorable stop.\u00a0 It was truly what culminated the day\u2019s events.\u00a0 To see a black man, a Haitian immigrant come to the United States and have a successful business\u00a0\u00a0 white dominated industry was my \u201caha\u201d moment.<\/p>\n
You see, black pioneers do not just exist in the past tense in Oregon. We are active and present in the arts, business, civic organizations, and everyday life.\u00a0 And continue to shape the cultural fabric of Portland and Oregon by blazing a trail of creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance in the face of adversity.<\/p>\n
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