The Japanese American Museum of Oregon (JAMO) in Portland preserves and shares the history and culture of the Nikkei community (Japanese emigrants and their descendants). Formerly known as the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, JAMO serves as a venue for culture and research as well as an invaluable resource for exploring Nikkei experiences and their role in Oregon’s multicultural community. Its permanent exhibit space highlights Issei immigration and early life in Oregon, Nihonmachi (Japantown), and the experience during World War II through Nikkei life today.
We sit down with JAMO’s Philanthropy Manager, Lauren Sadataki, to talk about their outreach endeavors. Their Book Bike from Icicle Tricycles helps those efforts by being a mobile utility cart, allowing them to attend and easily distribute materials at local events.
In early March , JAMO visited our downtown Portland facility as part of our effort to engage more with neighboring businesses and outreach programs. As a result, we began conversations with them to figure out how we can best help them in their outreach goals. We provided them with one of our book bike models and a design that allowed them to highlight the upcoming Cherry Blossom event while still maintaining usability afterwards.
JAMO stewards the Japanese American Historical Plaza, located on the waterfront here in Portland, OR, which raises greater public awareness about the diversity of cultural experiences in America. “We realized our presence at the plaza was lacking. Having the tricycle has been a great way to [make] our outreach a little more mobile.” Lauren says, when asked how the trike affects operations at the museum. “Instead of setting up a tent and a table at the plaza during the busiest times of the year, we’re able to just bring the tricycle over.” Lauren goes on to say how this utility cart’s aesthetic, design and custom wrap yield an increase in public engagement as well. “We were just standing there for maybe 20 minutes, and had like 40 people come up to us as a result of the trike.”
Overall the cart proves incredibly helpful as an outreach tool, says Lauren, “The tricycle does drive people back [to the museum].”
Check out JAMO online at jamo.org to see all their events and exhibits, both current and upcoming!
