118th Rinehart Family Reunion: A Living Legacy Gathers in Sandy

By Marie KennedyThe Mountain Times

For one weekend every summer, history comes alive – not in textbooks or museums, but in the laughter, stories, and traditions of the Rinehart family reunion.

This year marked the 118th gathering of the descendants of Lewis and Elizabeth Rinehart, held July 3–6, 2025, at the Hull Foundation and Learning Center in Sandy, Oregon. The setting was peaceful and perfectly suited to the occasion.

Forty-one family members traveled from across the Northwest and beyond. Though the numbers were smaller than in past years – still recovering from the pandemic and recent wildfire seasons – the enthusiasm remained strong. “Over the years, we’ve had folks come from the East Coast and overseas,” said Diane Piva, one of this year’s hosts. With a mailing list of over 400, organizers are hopeful the momentum will keep growing.

Next year’s reunion is planned for Cove, Oregon – a return to Union County after last year’s gathering was moved online due to wildfire danger.

The weekend’s schedule was full: shared meals, family history presentations, outdoor activities, storytelling, swimming in the indoor pool, and the much-anticipated auction. Some auction items are family heirlooms that make repeat appearances. “I’m bringing back several items to be auctioned again,” Piva said with a smile. “Someone else will buy them, and in two or three years, they’ll show up again. We pass them around, we’re sharing the legacy.”

And then there are the family photos. Folks line up, lean in, and smile as the shutter clicks – another moment added to the archive. The session continues with photos by family branch, a snapshot of the oldest and youngest attendees (often with lively debate over who qualifies). Of course, candid shots were captured throughout the weekend.

The Rinehart family’s Oregon roots run deep. In 1854, Lewis and Elizabeth Rinehart crossed the plains by wagon train, first settling in the Willamette Valley before moving east to Summerville in Union County. Seeking drier land, they established what became known as Rinehart Village, with a flour mill powered by a nearby creek, surrounded by wheat fields, pastures, and livestock.

The reunion tradition began shortly after Elizabeth’s death in 1903, when her children organized the first gathering at the original homestead. Attendees were instructed to bring tents, frying pans, and “dish up” like the pioneers before them – a tradition that, in spirit, still continues.

Aside from a few missed years during the Great Depression and World War II, the Rineharts have met every year since – even adapting to virtual formats during the pandemic and wildfire years.

Former Reunion President Chet Turner summed up what makes this reunion different: “A lot of people have reunions – a one-day picnic. Ours is four days. In four days, you can really get around to talking to everyone.” Turner proudly wears a T-shirt with a number on the front – a reference to his place in the family tree, a subtle but meaningful way the family tracks its lineage.

For some, like Cam Miller, a recent high school graduate from Molalla, it was a first-time experience. He brought along his brother, mother, and grandmother. “We’ve been getting the mailers for years but never came,” said Cam’s grandmother. 

But after Cam began researching his family history, he convinced them all to attend. “So many stories – about my family, their way of life. It’s fascinating,” he said with excitement. Asked how long they’d stay, he shrugged: “There’s so much going on. We don’t want to miss anything.”

Throughout the weekend, displays of family trees, historic photographs, newspaper clippings, and a copy of the original 1903 invitation reminded everyone of their shared history. A highlight for many was the nod to national recognition: the Rinehart reunion was featured in Life magazine in the 1970s, celebrated as one of the longest-running annual family reunions in the country.

This is a family committed to continuity. Plans are already in place for next year, with hosts lined up to carry the torch. The spirit of the Oregon Trail lives on – not just in historical records, but in potlucks, porch conversations, and multi-generational handshakes. 

As the 118th Rinehart Reunion ended, everyone knew one thing was certain: this family’s story is still being written, together.