On Friday, local tourists and Plains Heritage Museum officials got a sneak peek at the Japan Pavilion. Legacy of the Plains staff is putting the final touches on the hall’s exhibits in preparation for the June 8 grand opening.
The Japanese Hall also took center stage as the Gering Tourism Authority and Scottsbluff County Regional Tourism Authority highlighted National Tourism Week.
City of Gering and Tourism Gering Director of Tourism Carla Needan Streaks and Scotts Bluff County Tourism Director Brenda Lazee emphasized that this year is the 40th anniversary of observing National Tourism Week, which is marked across the United States. did.
Lacey noted that tourism powers economies and communities and brings together cities, counties and tourism boards to “champion the power of tourism.” The power of tourism in the Scottsbluff and Gering area is “job creation in the tourism industry,” she said. It’s about increasing daily spending at local facilities and our attractions, and spreading the word about western Nebraska and all the beauty we share with others. Not only our landscapes, but also our traditional history, unique culinary experiences, and festivals. ”
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The Japanese Hall is one of the newest examples of the community’s unique history. Needen Streaks said the project was “a labor of love and an incredible amount of hard work.” The project began with the 2018 relocation of Japan Hall, which was scheduled for demolition before Kearny resident Vicki Sagrada Shapler learned of his fate.
Sagrada Shepler, who grew up in the area, said she visits the area monthly and attended meetings where the destruction of the 1928 building was discussed. This hall was a gathering place for Japanese immigrants living in Scottsbluff and their children and grandchildren.
“All of a sudden I had this idea that we need to save this hall and preserve this heritage,” she said. “…few people remembered that we had such a vibrant and large immigrant community. It was a tribute to the Nissei who remained in the area, farming and running businesses, and to my generation and future generations.”
The project focuses not only on Japanese families, but also on those who helped the immigrants who settled in the area in 1910. Meanwhile, the stories of those imprisoned during World War II are also told in heritage exhibits. The Plains Japanese Hall showcases the stories of the families who helped the Japanese stay and thrive in the High Plains regions and communities of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska, she said.
Diane Mercer, chair of the Legacy of the Plains Japan Pavilion Committee and a member of the Legacy of the Plains Board of Directors, said they continue to collect artifacts and stories. As recently as this week, visitors to the exhibit, including soldiers who served in World War II, were offering their stories to be recorded and shared.
“You can see all the amazing artifacts, documents, and photos that people have donated. We have a great collection,” Mercer said, adding that Mercer and Sagrada-Shapler will design the exhibits that will be on display. He admitted that it was a difficult process to decide. “…It’s a really important history for people to know about the immigrants that came, and what’s amazing to me is that (the Japanese Hall project) is not just about Japanese people. It’s about all the other families we’ve supported.”
One of the things Sagrada Shepler values is being able to capture the voices of past generations who have passed away. She called it the “crown jewel” of the project.
Distinctive touches like samurai movie clips are also captured in the exhibit, she said, and talked about a man who shared his memories of a movie that was being shown at the Japan Pavilion. Great care was taken to preserve the hall’s pine floors and original beadboard ceiling, another badge of honor given to her grandparents and her many grandparents, Sagrada Shepler said. Told.
Plains Heritage Director Dave Wolf said the Japan Pavilion and History Project is a true testament to the work being done at the museum to tell the unique history of the region.
“I think what Vicki, Diane and their group have done is preserving history that should have disappeared,” he said. “…In another generation, a lot of this stuff would be gone. If you’re going to tell the story of an entire community, an entire region, it’s really important that it’s included.” From a perspective, this is a great, great addition.”
He said the hall also opens new avenues for visitors, including Japanese, who visit archaeological sites in Wyoming and Colorado. Wolf said he hopes these groups will add a touch of Plains heritage to the trip.
A tour of the hall will be held at 9 a.m., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Festival activities will take place throughout the day until 4 p.m. Youth dancers from the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) of Omaha and a group of Japanese folk dancers from Colorado will also perform. There will also be a group of taiko drummers and a player on the koto, a plucked string instrument and Japan’s national instrument. Games for children also provide additional fun.
On Friday, Gering Mayor Kent Ewing also read a proclamation adopted by the City of Gering, Scottsbluff, Terrytown and Scottsbluff County in support of National Tourism Week activities. Activities will continue next week, with a Salute to Tourism award ceremony scheduled for Thursday.
In Scottsbluff County, tourism generates more than $44.7 million in travel spending, including more than $11.8 million in state and local tax revenue, Ewing said. More than 700 jobs are created to serve more than 400,000 visitors annually.
Contact Maunette Loeks: maunette.loeks@starherald.com, 308-632-9054.
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