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”Oregon Historical Society
The Oregon Historical Society in Portland, a museum and research center dedicated to the history of Oregon, has been open since 1898. Located in downtown Portland on the west bank of the Willamette River, it’s a state agency with several different sites around town. In addition to their visitors center at 13th and NW Irving Street, they have an archive storage facility near OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) accessible by appointment only. They also have the Pittock Mansion, a 23-room mansion open for tours.
The Oregon Historical Society exhibits everything from the Native American tribes who first inhabited the area to more recent history, including the Vietnam War and Multnomah Falls.
The main visitors center, where all public programs are held, has a gift shop, information desk, restrooms, and water fountains. There is also plenty of free parking around to accommodate guests who come by car.
The Oregon Historical Society is worth a visit if you want to learn more about the history of Portland and Oregon as a whole. It’sIt’s also great for families with kids – there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
History of Oregon Historical Society
The Oregon Historical Society was founded in 1898 to preserve the history of the Pacific Northwest. The group’s original headquarters were located on SW Park Avenue, but by 1914, they moved into a new building at 1200 SW Park Ave which is where they are today. Since 1891 when it opened as Multnomah County Library, this location has been open for business.
The building was designed by architect A. E. Doyle and his architectural firm, Doyle & Merritt. It opened as the United States National Bank Building, but in 1947 it became Oregon’sOregon’s first state-owned museum after a purchase from First National Bank of Portland (who had purchased it from USB). In 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1978, the Oregon Historical Society moved into their new building next door, where they remain today. The original building now houses the Portland Art Museum.
The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) is a state-chartered historical society with several different sites around Portland. Their leading site is the visitors center located at 13th and NW Irving Street in downtown Portland.
Facts About Oregon Historical Society
– The society holds over 250,000 items related to this subject matter, including artworks, books, photos, and documents, as well as archaeological artifacts found throughout the state
– The society offers public programs like lectures, concerts, and family days, as well as school programs for students
– OHS also operates educational programs for children and adults, and provides smaller exhibits that travel around the state. Web site content is also available across the state through the OHS digital history projects, including the Oregon History Project, The Oregon Encyclopedia and Oregon TimeWeb.
– Admission fees vary depending on which exhibits you want to see or if there’s a special event going on. General admission is typical $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and students, and free for kids 12 and under. Admission is free every Thursday from noon-to-eight p.m.
What to See at Oregon Historical Society
– Visitors will find several different exhibits to choose from at the Oregon Historical Society
– Artifacts and other historic items are on display here, including Native American crafts, clothing, and tools, as well as hundreds of photos documenting how people lived in this area over time. You’llYou’ll also see things like artworks by early pioneers who settled in the area and a restored Model T
– If you are interested in military history, be sure to check out the exhibit on the Vietnam War. It includes personal stories from Oregonians who fought in the war as well as photos, weapons, and other artifacts
– Learn about Oregon’sOregon’s natural landscape and how it has changed over time at the Nature of the Northwest exhibit
– The Hall of Fame section includes memorabilia from several different individuals who have impacted Oregon, including musicians, politicians, and businessmen, among others. This is one aspect where you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy
Things to Do at Oregon Historical Society
As mentioned above, there are plenty of things to see and do while you’re at the Oregon Historical Society. Here are just a few things that will be of interest for visitors:
- Kids can learn about different jobs people had out in the wild west during pioneer times through hands-on exhibits
- Visitors have access to unique event rooms where they can host their birthday parties, meetings, or other gatherings
- Get a closer look at the history of Oregon through one-on-one consultations with research librarians
- Attend lectures, concerts, and other events put on by the Oregon Historical Society throughout the year. Most of these events are free for members or with admission to the museum
- Purchase items like books, t-shirts, and other souvenirs from the gift shop located on-site.
With its numerous exhibits, public programs, and online resources, the Oregon Historical Society is an excellent place for individuals of all ages to learn more about our state’s history.
Activities and Events at Oregon Historical Society
Some of the current exhibits at the society are: “Oregon Nikkei – A Legacy,” “The American West in Photographs 1846-2015″, and “Portland Then and Now.” The museum store is also worth checking out as it has a wide variety of Oregon-themed items, including books, clothing, and souvenirs.
One of the unique things about the Oregon Historical Society is that it offers a variety of activities and events for visitors of all ages. For example, the society offers monthly family days that include crafts and activities for kids and talks and tours from historians.
The Oregon Historical Society is also a great place to host events. The museum’s auditorium can accommodate up to 175 people, and the society has a variety of spaces that can be used for meetings, receptions, and other gatherings.
Additionally, visitors can also tour the museum’s building on the National Register of Historic Places. The society moved into its current location in 1900, which Portland architect W. Irving Edbrooke designed with an Italian Renaissance style. From 1990 to 1991, the society restored this historic landmark to celebrate its centennial.
There are also plenty of ongoing programs to choose from, such as Family Days, Tours and Walks, and Lectures.
Every year the Oregon Historical Society also hosts a special Museum Day where visitors can receive free admission by showing their Smithsonian magazine subscription card (or any other magazine). It is always good to check out this page for updated information on upcoming discounts or deals!
The Oregon Historical Society is open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm and from Saturday from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm. Admission costs $11 for adults, $09 for seniors (ages 62+), $08 for students (ages 18-22), $06 for youth (ages 13-17). Free for children 12 years of age and younger.
Oregon Historical Society is located at 1200 SW Park Avenue in downtown Portland, Oregon 97205. There are also two other location branches: the Library Center Auditorium & Research Center, which is located at 1300 SW Park Avenue, and the OMSI Auditorium located at 1945 SE Water Ave.
The Library Center branch offers free parking – there are around 450 spaces available in their underground garage, accessible from SW 13th Avenue between Jefferson Street and Madison Streets. The OMSI branch has a small number of street parking spots that you may use.
The closest public transportation stops for the Oregon Historical Society are Skidmore Fountain and Park Avenue stations, served by the MAX Orange Line light rail service – both of them can be accessed from SW Park Avenue between Jefferson Street and Madison Streets. The OMSI branch is also close to Washington Park station, located at 400 SW Kingston Ave next to the Oregon Zoo.
Oregon Historical Society is within walking distance to some of Portland’sPortland’s significant attractions, including Washington Park – home of the International Rose Test Garden and Hoyt Arboretum. The location also puts you close to Pioneer Courthouse Square (one block), Tom McCall Waterfront Park (two blocks) as well as Chinatown-International District (four blocks).
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