Speakers’ Bureau

Expert Speakers & Presenters

Many of our members are available to speak to your group or organization about the Oregon Trail and other historical interests. Some presenters charge a fee for talks.

To connect with a speaker, please Contact Us

Videos available for OCTA Speakers' Bureau

There are several videos available for use by OCTA members who present public programs.

Across the Kansas Prairie Part 1

Across the Kansas Prairie – Riding on a Modern Day Wagon Train
Travel on the Oregon Trail in eastern Kansas! This video features modern day travelers and local residents Ken and Arleta Martin, who organized a reride of the trail with wagons and riders on horseback. The video highlights both the historic route and modern routes followed by trail travelers and the challenges faced while trying to stay on schedule. Scenes are of preparations, packing, cooking, care of mules and horses, as well as of native tall grass prairie. The National Park Service developed this video in 2003. -Video length: 12:22 minutes

Across the Kansas Prairie Part 2

Across the Kansas Prairie Part 2
This video is a continuation of a reride on the Oregon Trail in eastern Kansas. Reriders discuss how to identify ruts and swales on the trail, the dangers involved with river crossings, the long hours of trail travel, and their reactions after days of following the historic route. -Video length: 12:23 minutes

Saving a Legacy Part 1

Saving a Legacy – the Oregon-California Trails
How are the Oregon and California trails being protected? This video highlights remnants of the historic Oregon and California trails and how to find evidence of past trail use on the Carson Route and Beckwourth Trail today in California. OCTA experts discuss their research, field work, and documentation of these trail routes. Also shown are miles of trail ruts in Wyoming, and a discussion of how energy development on public land is being managed to protect the ruts and their setting. OCTA and the National Park Service developed this video in 2002. -Video length: 10:35 minutes

Saving a Legacy Part 2

Saving a Legacy Part 2
This video is a continuation of a discussion regarding on-going efforts to protect Oregon and California trail remnants. Several examples of threats to the trails are highlighted and the video discusses how local land owners and ranchers, developers, and federal agency land managers worked together to protect segments of the trails in Wyoming and Idaho. -Video length: 10:33 minutes

The Missouri River: Starting Point for the Western Trails

The Missouri River: Starting Point for the Western Trails
Learn about the National Trails System and efforts to retrace historic trails in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area. This video features an in-depth presentation by OCTA Association Manager Travis Boley. He discusses on-going efforts to rebuild and retrace the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California national historic trails in the greater Kansas City area from Sugar Creek, Missouri to Gardner, Kansas. Mr. Boley highlights both existing and future opportunities for the development of retracement trails and trail experiences where there are few or little remaining trail remnants on the ground. Site by site descriptions of trail resources are provided along with a discussion of the economic and recreational value of trail development. This video was part of a Big Muddy Speakers Series held in Kansas City, Missouri on October 27, 2015. -Video length: 39:04 minutes

PowerPoint program available for OCTA Speakers' Bureau

A short PowerPoint program is available for use by OCTA members who present public programs about the Oregon and California National Historic Trails.

The program is intended to serve as a general outline for a presentation. Speakers can use the outline as is, but are encouraged to introduce and discuss local trail sites or resources according to their audience needs and interests.

The PowerPoint program presents a general overview of the overland migration on the Oregon and California trails and inspires viewers to become stewards of trail stories and resources. By addressing the viewers directly and using minimal text, the PowerPoint program informs viewers of trails history, heritage and legacy; shows viewers a range of educational and recreational opportunities along the trails; asks viewers to think and care about trails resources being threatened or lost; and encourages viewers to join OCTA.

The file available here is a PDF. To obtain a PowerPoint file that can be adapted to local audiences, please contact the OCTA association manager at: 816-252-2276.

PDF of an OCTA PowerPoint presentation January 2019