At the morning Hidden Histories panel I presented photographs of hop farming taken by my Uncle (1917-1922), shared family stories and offered insights. The afternoon Legacy Keepers panel discussed the stewardship and preservation of his art.
Anna Truxes (Executive Director) in the main gallery, moderator Chelsea Rose (Historical Archaeologist Souther Oregon University) on screen and seated panel members Jessica Courtesan (Archaeologist and Tribal Liaison, Oregon Department of Transportation) and Tiah Edmundo-Morton (Archivist, Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives at Oregon State University).
Hidden Histories Slides
Bue Kee was an avid photographer. His photos captured hop farming, family, community, landscapes, points of interest and stories.
The Kee Family Journey to Hop Farming
Grandfather Dong Chung Kee "...arrived in America at sixteen and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He picked up enough English to act as an interpreter. However, he quit the Railroad "when asked to get in a roped basked and hang over the side of the mountain to pick a flat surface road bed...He went to Portland and established the Kee Kee Hand Laundry at 48th N. 6th Street...The laundry business became saturated and the Tongs were getting war like, so Grandpa decided to take an offer from cousin (Dong Family) and take over the operation of hop farming at the Mucke Ranch..." in Aurora. A story shared by Bue to his nephew Phil Jann Jr.
Legacy Keepers
Afternoon panel members included art historians and experts Sarah Baker Munro (author of Timberline Lodge: The History, Art, and Craft of an American Icon), Jennifer Viviano. (Managing Director of X Gallery) and Anna Truxes (Portland Chinatown Museum's Executive Director).
Also missing hundreds of sketch books and photograph negatives dating back to 1917.
Links to Additional Stories and Resources:
Bue Kee's Art School Years
https://dwkee.blogspot.com/2026/01/bue-kee-stories-drawing-and-paintings.html
Hand-Painted Black and White Photos
https://dwkee.blogspot.com/2026/01/bue-kee-stories-hand-painting.html
Additional Hop Farm Photos
https://vimeo.com/827071029
Hidden Histories Video Recording
https://vimeo.com/1122304701
Amy Wang's Portland Oregonian Article
Exhibit Rediscovers Legacy of Chinese American artist Bue Kee,
a Rising Star in the 1930s who fell into obscurity
www.hereisoregon.com/experiences/2023/06/exhibit
-rediscovers-legacy-of-chinese-american-artist-bue-kee-a-
rising-star-in-the-1930s-who-fell-into-obscurity.html
