The community is invited to come out to the “Mims House” 330 High Street- Eugene, Oregon. Sunday May 29th 1-4pm to witness the unveiling of the “Mims House Memorial Monument”. The Unveiling is set for 2pm. Local Dignitaries will be in attendance and King estate wine and Ninaksi brews will be available for donation from 1-3:00pm. Organizers are encouraging folks to come early to meet friends and have a beverage. The next day there will be a free BQQ in Skinner Butte Park at Lamb cottage from 12-4 pm. The BBQ is in honor of the first memorial day held immediately after the civil war. This year will be the 5th annual event.
Willie Mims grew up in Eugene, Oregon being a graduate in the first graduating Class of the newly built Eugene High School (now South Eugene High) in 1955. Mims is a great grandfather of two and is an elder in the local African American community, and he is still giving back. Willie and his wife Sally are in the final stages of completing a long time dream of solidifying the history of his parents and the greater African American community in Eugene. For many years the stories of the “Tent city” have become local lure, but with the help local historians such as Mark Harris the legacy of the “founding” Black families in Eugene has lived on in print. Now the Mims hope to capture part of that history in stone and bronze. The Mims property at 330 High Street is on both, the local, and National Historic registry, as the homes are two of the oldest structures in Eugene, one being the oldest in its original site. Coupled with the history of the Mims family; the property represents a snap shot of mid 20th century Oregon and its relationship with people of color. For more information contact: info@naacplanecounty.org or call 541-484-1119.