Rivers, Rails, and Reels

Bohemia Academy

Bohemia Academy is the year-round education work of Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days, bringing local history into senior living communities, classrooms, public history programs, student film projects, hands-on activities, and the Bohemia Mining District itself.

About Bohemia Academy

Bohemia Academy is everything under Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days that revolves around education. It is where our organization’s history, storytelling, hands-on learning, senior outreach, student programs, and public presentations come together.

Through this work, we visit local senior living communities, provide free activities in schools, teach about the Bohemia Mining District, support student documentary projects, offer hands-on history experiences, and create public learning opportunities throughout the year.

Purpose of these Programs

The purpose of this program is to encourage people, especially youth, to recognize the importance of volunteerism and community service. Many local organizations and traditions are being carried forward by volunteers in their 70s and 80s, and we believe it is important to inspire the next generation to take pride in their community, understand the value of giving back, and see that they have a role in preserving the places and traditions that make Cottage Grove special.

Matthew Hewlett Executive Director, Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days
Recurring Education Programs
  • Senior Connections
    Monthly visits to local senior living communities

    Stories, trivia, activities, music, conversation, and community connection.

  • Saginaw Vineyard History Pub
    4th Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM

    Presentations from historians, filmmakers, storytellers, and creative educators from the Lane County and Douglas County areas.

  • School Programs
    Available by request and partnership

    Free classroom activities, local history presentations, and hands-on projects.

Next 4th Wednesday: May 27, 2026
Please check the calendar for upcoming History Pub topics, school activities, senior visits, and other Bohemia Academy updates.

Programs Under Bohemia Academy

Bohemia Academy connects students, seniors, families, historians, filmmakers, and community partners through educational programs that keep local history active year-round.

Senior Living Community Visits

We visit local senior living communities on a monthly basis to share stories, trivia, activities, music, and conversation with residents.

Bohemia Academy senior living community visit
Free School Activities

We go into schools and provide activities for free. One of the most popular is bandana decorating paired with a history presentation about the Bohemia Mining District and its importance to Cottage Grove’s early history.

Students decorating bandanas during a Bohemia Academy school activity
Youth Documentary Program

We have established the early stages of a grant involving Cottage Grove High School and North Douglas High School to pay students to create short-form and long-form history documentaries over the next two years, with the hope that the program continues beyond the grant timeline.

Students working on a Bohemia Academy history documentary project
Al Kennedy High School Partnership

We have a working partnership with Al Kennedy High School to educate students about the Bohemia Mining District, specific areas of interest around the district, gold panning trainings, and tours in the district.

Bohemia Academy partnership activity with Al Kennedy High School
Saginaw Vineyard History Pub

These monthly presentations bring historians, filmmakers, storytellers, and creative educators together to share local and regional history with the community.

Saginaw Vineyard History Pub presentation through Bohemia Academy
Tours, Trainings & Hands-On History

Bohemia Academy also supports hands-on learning opportunities such as gold panning trainings, educational tours, and place-based history experiences connected to the Bohemia Mining District.

Gold panning training and Bohemia Mining District tour

Bring Bohemia Academy to Your Group

Schools, senior communities, presenters, historians, filmmakers, and community partners are welcome to connect with us about educational programs, history presentations, student projects, or future learning opportunities.