Capturing a Generation through the Eye of a Lens: The Photographs of Frank C. Hirahara, 1948-54
on display at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center
February 1 - June 15, 2014

Capturing a Generation through the Eye of a Lens features an extraordinary collection of post-war photographs taken of Portland's Nisei, providing a revealing glimpse into their community and lives. Between 1948 and 1954, Frank C. Hirahara, a serious amateur photographer who worked for Bonneville Power Administration, captured hundreds of photographs depicting community picnics, beach outings to the Oregon Coast, teen socials and dances, wedding receptions, and life in the heart of Portland's Japantown. As an active member of the Portland community, Frank served on the Portland Japanese American Citizens League, bowled with the Oregon Nisei Bowling League, and was vice president of the Young Buddhist Association representing the Portland region.

As a member of the Photographic Society of America, Portland Photographic Society and the Oregon Camera Club, where he served on the Board of Directors, Hirahara also took photographs of aspiring local models, Portland's Rose Festival Parade, and was an award-winning photographer in Portland. A native of Yakima Valley, Washington, Frank honed his skills as a young photographer and photo editor of the Heart Mountain High School Tempo Annual while incarcerated during World War II with his family at the Heart Mountain.

This multimedia exhibition features artifacts on loan from Washington State University's Manuscript and Special Collections and the City of Anaheim Public Library along with a short documentary film, Witness: The Legacy of Heart Mountain, by Los Angeles ABC Channel 7 News Anchor David Ono. The exhibit will also share historic photographs from the Washington State University George and Frank C. Hirahara Collection of Heart Mountain which is considered to be the largest private collection of photos taken in the camp from 1943-45.

Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center
Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-3pm, Sunday noon-3pm
www.oregonnikkei.org