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Enhancing the Lives of Those We Serve
The Dorchester Conference is America’s oldest annual political conference. Then State Representative, Bob Packwood, founded the conference in 1965. Packwood invited Republicans from around the state to the Dorchester House in Lincoln City, Oregon.
The first conference attracted about 200 participants for a lively discussion around the future of the politics in Oregon. At the end of the conference, delegates knew that this gathering was something special and would, in fact, be a driving force for years to come.
Since its inception, The Dorchester House has sought to have lively debate among political activists about timely issues facing the state, nation and world. Many major issues have made repeat visits, sometimes taking on different forms given the decade. Property tax limitations, sales taxes, financial support for education, and abortion are a few examples of issues debated at early Dorchester Conferences as well as more recent ones.
Dorchester IV marked the first year the conference began attracting nationally recognized speakers when Governor George Romney, a presidential candidate, became the keynote speaker. Over the years, the Dorchester House has hosted luminaries such as Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Nelson Rockefeller, Jack Kemp, Elizabeth Dole, Karl Rove, William Kristol and Gale Norton.
Notable Oregonians such as Tom McCall, Mark Hatfield, Norma Paulus, Gordon Smith, Clay Meyers, and Dave Frohnmeyer have also been part of Dorchester; and Greg Walden, Bob Packwood and Vic Atiyeh all participate on a regular basis.
Encouraging participation and underlining the fun of politics have been two of the keys to the conference’s longevity.
History of The Dorchester House Conference