Dayton Historic Depot: Henri Villard

Join us on Saturday, May 24 for a special Living History performance in the courtyard of the Dayton Historic Depot Museum—immediately following the Saturday parade!
Time travel with Clark Colahan as he brings to life Henri Villard, the visionary railroad magnate who made Dayton’s rail connection a reality in 1881. As the investor who brought the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company to town, Villard was instrumental in building our beloved Train Depot. This powerful reenactment reveals the ambitions and challenges behind one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in the Northwest.
This FREE event is sponsored in part by the Fort Walla Walla Museum Living History Program in collaboration with the Dayton Historical Depot Society. We invite you to enjoy this rich slice of history and consider making a donation to support our ongoing mission to preserve and share the stories that shaped our region.
After the performance, step inside to explore our Train Depot Waiting Room exhibit, and marvel at the machines that helped build a nation.
Don’t miss the chance to meet Henri Villard himself, ask questions, and be part of living history in action!