The mission of the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame is to protect and promote the history and heritage of the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon by recognizing individuals, animals, and the American Indian culture of Eastern Oregon through our events and museum.
The Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 to promote and protect the history and heritage of the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon. Ten men and five horses were the first honorees. Each year the Hall of Fame Board of Directors and its Members select other men, women and sometimes livestock as honorees. An honoree must have a long association with Round-Up and Happy Canyon. A special section of the Hall of Fame is devoted to our honorees. Each year, a special display case is set up for the current inductees. These cases include pictures, clothing and other memorabilia that showcase the contributions of the honoree.
Exhibits in the Hall of Fame cover a wide range of subjects and span more than 100 years of Round-Up and Happy Canyon history. Saddles, clothing, Indian regalia and beadwork, photographs, firearms, trophies, wagons…hundreds of items are displayed for your enjoyment with new exhibits added each year.
While very much connected, the Hall of Fame is its own entity separate from the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon. It is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors, the members of which are nominated by the Round-Up and Happy Canyon boards of directors, and include the current Presidents of the Round-Up and Happy Canyon.
The Hall of Fame museum is open to the public and entry is free, although donations are strongly encouraged to help the Hall of Fame continue its mission.
Hall of Fame Board of Directors
2022 Hall of Fame Board of Directors:
President: Carl Culham
Vice President: Casey White-Zollman (publicity/website/social media/grants)
Treasurer: Karen Vanderplaat
Secretary: Shelby Spriet (inductees)
Eliza Wagner (exhibits)
Steve Hart (building)
Aaron Hines (security)
Kenny Lebsock (Battle of the Bars)
Tricia Towne (volunteers)
Mary West (banquet)
Leslee Williams (membership/fundraising)
Matt Wood (archives)
Karl Farber (Round-Up President)
Kenzie Hansell (Happy Canyon President)
Collections Research
The Hall of Fame has an extensive collection of photographs, film, documents, and other items that are not on public display. The entire collection has proven to be valuable to authors, filmmakers, and individuals researching the history of the Round-Up and Happy Canyon as well as the many family members, tribal members, contestants and other characters whose legacies included activities at the Round-Up and Happy Canyon.
The volunteers of the Hall of Fame are always available to assist in research as well as provide access to the collections not on public display. The Hall of Fame offers reproductions of the collection as a service for research, personal, educational, creative, or commercial use. Fees for reproduction and research are charged in some cases.
For assistance regarding reproduction and research, please contact the Hall of Fame at 541-278-0815 or via email at ruphalloffame@gmail.com.
Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame 