Volga Germans in Portland

Who are the Volga Germans? Where did they come from, and how did they get here? What makes them different from other Germans who settled in Portland? Join us as Steve Schreiber takes us through the history of this little-known ethnic group that arrived in Oregon in 1881 and grew to represent a substantial number of people living in Albina. In this talk, we will discuss this group's migration from Western Europe to Russia and then to America. We will also look at some of the buildings they constructed that remain standing and in service to this date. While this group remained “under the radar,” the presentation will highlight notable people who have contributed to the rich fabric of life in Oregon.

Steven Schreiber is a lifelong resident of Oregon and a graduate of Oregon State University. He served as an executive for the Port of Portland, where he was responsible for the management of Portland International Airport and the Port's general aviation airports. Steven also served as Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University and President of the Oregon Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.