Baker Heritage Museum’s Prohibition talk draws community ahead of Feb. 21 fundraiser

The Baker Heritage Museum brought local history to the fore Jan. 13, hosting a packed evening that explored Prohibition, bootlegging and moonshine during the federally imposed ban from 1920 to 1933. Social hour, sponsored by Glacier 45, began at 6 p.m. at the museum, 2480 Grove St., followed by a roughly one-hour presentation beginning at 7 p.m. Admission to the talk was free.

The program is part of the museum’s speaker series, held on the second Tuesday of each month, that aims to connect residents with Baker County’s past. Upcoming topics this spring include Wingville and Pocahontas, Sparta, St. Francis Academy, Central School, and the history of newspapers in Baker County, giving residents regular opportunities to engage with place-based stories and bring family histories to life.

Organizers used the evening not only to educate but to build momentum for the museum’s annual fundraiser. Tickets for Night at Old Auburn go on sale this week for the Feb. 21 event, which will also be held at the museum at 2480 Grove St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The 1930s-themed evening features a costume contest with prizes, casino-style games and a live auction. Dinner will be catered by Campbell’s Catering and Sweets; tickets are $45. For information or to buy tickets, contact Cindy at 541-239-8491.

Local cultural institutions such as the Baker Heritage Museum play a practical economic role in small communities. Free admission nights and low-cost talks lower barriers to participation while fundraisers like Night at Old Auburn generate operating revenue that supports exhibits, education programs and building upkeep. The use of local caterers and event services also keeps event spending inside Baker County, sustaining small businesses and providing seasonal demand for hospitality services.

Beyond direct spending, recurring programming strengthens Baker City’s year-round visitor offerings. Events tied to distinctive local themes—Prohibition-era stories, 1930s nostalgia and neighborhood histories—can lengthen stays and encourage repeat visits from regional audiences seeking heritage tourism experiences. For residents, these programs provide affordable civic engagement and opportunities to preserve family records and oral histories.

What comes next is straightforward for readers who want to stay involved: watch for monthly speaker listings from the museum, consider attending free talks to learn and share local histories, and support the Feb. 21 fundraiser if you can. The museum’s events offer both a chance to connect with Baker County’s past and a practical way to invest in the cultural infrastructure that keeps those stories alive.