Historical Museum Guide for Oregon

Oregon History Museums

Adler House Museum

The 1889 Italianate house was once occupied by Baker City philanthropist Leo Adler.  Today, guided tours are offered in this home with original furnishings.  Located at 2305 Main Street in Baker City, OR.

Baker Heritage Museum  [Photo Archives]

Housed inside the 1920 Natatorium, the museum features displays of the rich history of Baker County and the surrounding region.  Exhibits include mining, timber, ranching, agriculture, Chinese culture and items from early Baker Citiy life.  Formerly the Oregon Trail Regional Museum, it is located at 2480 Grove Street in Baker City, Oregon.

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center   [History]

Perched on Flagstaff Hill, from the Interpretive Center, you can view almost 7 miles of the Oregon trail ruts which still remain today.  From the top of Flagstaff Hill, travelers of the Oregon Trail could see the distant Oregon land to which they were making their way.  Dioramas, an amphitheater and living history programs, explain and interpret what it was like to travel the Oregon Trail to a new homeland.

Sumpter Municipal Museum   [Historic Photos]

The museum is housed in an 1899 Mercantile building.  Collections are focused on the history Sumpter, Oregon and maintains an archives of Sumpter photographs.

Benton County Historical Museum

Housed in the old United Brethren College, the history museum contains over 65,000 items depicting the heritage of Benton County, Oregon along with a large collection of historical photos and documents. 

End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center 

Operations of the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center have ceased as of April 2009.

McLoughlin House

Erected in 1846, the house was home to Dr. John McLoughlin (early pioneer who established Fort Vancouver in 1825).  Dr. McLouglin lived in the home until his death in 1857.  The house has been a museum since 1910.  Visitors delight in the authentic furnishings, artifacts and early photos as they are transported back in time to the days of the "American West".  Located at 713 Center Street in Oregon City, OR.

Milwaukie Historical Museum

Museum of the Oregon Territory

The museum which overlooks beautiful Willamette Falls, features exhibits of woven baskets and artifacts from local tribal communities, the Kaegi Pharmacy, Oregon City's mills, the Willamette meteorite and other items and artifacts related to the local history of Oregon City, Oregon. Visitors will get a spectacular view of the Willamette Falls from the top floor of the museum and researchers may want to visit the research library. Located at 211 Tumwater Drive in Oregon City, OR.

Stevens Crawford Heritage House

This 1908 four-square house was once home to Harley C. Stevens who was one of the founders of Oregon City.  The 3 story home features 15 furnished rooms filled with period furnishings.  Located at 603 Sixth Street in Oregon City, OR.

Clatsop County Heritage Museum  [Clatsop County History]

Housed inside the old Astoria City Hall building, the museum holds the Clatsop County Historical Society's Archive and it is the local history museum.  Museum exhibits feature artifacts and historical items from the Chinook and Clatsop Indians, logging and fishing industries and collections of tools, equipment and photographs.  The Archive features a research library where visitors are welcome.  Located at 714 Exchange Street in Astoria, OR.

Columbia River Maritime Museum

Flavel House Museum

Completed in 1885, this Queen Anne style house was home to Captain George Flavel (a noted bar pilot and one of Astoria's most influential citizens) and his family.  This lovely home was occupied by Flavel descendants until 1934.  The home has been restored to accurately portray the elegance of the Victorian period and the history of the Flavel family.  A carriage house which is located on the property houses a Visitor Center, museum store, exhibit hall and the administrative offices of the Clatsop County Historical Society.  Located at the corner of 8th Street and Duane Street in Astoria, OR.

Seaside Museum and Historical Society  [Online Tour] 

Operated by the Coos County Historical Society, the primary theme is "Tidewater Highways".  Located at 1220 Sherman Avenue in North Bend, OR near Simpson Park and the Visitor Information Center.

The museum is dedicated to the understanding of the High Desert's wildlife, culture, art and natural resources.  Living history exhibits centered around the Robbins homestead, depict what it was like to travel the Oregon Trail and settle a homestead in the 19th century.  Located at 59800 S. Highway 97 in Bend, OR.

Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History

Historical Buildings in Gilliam County, OR

Butte Creek Mill and Country Store

Camp White Historical Association and Museum

[Tour]  [Photos]

Crater Lake National Park

Eagle Point Museum

The museum features historical artifacts and exhibits related to the history of Eagle Point, OR.  Located next to Butte Creek Mill.  The mill has been in operation since 1872 and still offers flours, baking mixes and other culinary delights.

301 N. Royal Avenue

Eagle Point, OR 94524

Gold Hill House of Mystery (The Oregon Vortex)

Historic Jacksonville   [History & Photos]

The community of Jacksonville has been designated at a National Historic Landmark Community.  The picturesque old west town features over 90 original buildings dating back to the 1850s!  Many have been authentically restored and the result is a national treasure to behold.

The museum is focused on the history and culture of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.  Located in Warm Springs, OR.

Applegate Trail Interpretive Center

Schmidt House Museum

The Klamath County Museum in downtown Klamath Falls serves as a leading historical museum for the Upper Klamath Basin. In addition to exhibits, the museum housed in a 1935 National Guard armory contains hundreds of volumes of local records, including military discharges, tax records, court records and more.  Located at 1451 Main Street in Klamath Falls, OR.

This historic museum was put together by the Fort Rock Valley Historical Society.  Several historical buildings comprise the Homestead Village.  Included are St. Rose's Church, the Mekenmair Cabin, Webster Cabin, Dr. Thom's Office, the Bodenhiemer House, the Belletable House, Sunset School, the Fort Stratton House, a wind mill and even a land office.

Historic Old Town Florence  [Virtual Tour]

This lovely Oregon seacoast town is right on the waterfront and offers antique ships, wine tasting, restaurants, art galleries and more in an historic setting.  Located off Highway 101 in Florence, OR.

Lane County Historical Museum

Created to preserve, display and interpret the rich history of Lane County, the museum features historical artifacts and library materials focused on Lane County's heritage.  Located at 740 W. 13th Avenue in Eugene, OR.

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum

Featuring artifacts, historical photos and documents related to the history of Florence and the Lower Siuslaw Region.  Location is 278 Maple Street in Florence, OR.

Springfield Museum

Housed in the 1911 Oregon Power Company transformer station, the museum features exhibits and collections devoted to the Springfield area history.  Located at 590 Main Street in downtown Springfield, OR.

University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History

Take a step back into the past, learn about the present and contemplate the future in the Museum of Natural and Cultural History.  Visitors will experience 15,000 years of Northwest Cultural history and 200 million years of geology through displays and exhibits.  The museum holds one of Oregon's most significant collections of Native American artifacts as well as many items discovered by geologist Dr. Thomas Condon.  Located at 1680 E. 15th Avenue in Eugene, OR.

[Historical Highlights of Lincoln County]

Housed in the 1941 Taft-Nelscott-Delake Fire Hall, the museum is operated by the North Lincoln County Pioneer and Historical Assn.  The museum features exhibits related to the history of the North Lincoln County area .  The facility includes a research library.  Located at 4907 SW Highway 101 in Lincoln City, OR.

Oregon Coast History Center

[Lincoln County History]

Dedicated to preserving the history of the Central Oregon Coast, you will find the Log Cabin Museum and Burrows House.  Inside the Burrows House, along with the museum, you will find a research library. 

545 SW 9th St., Newport, Oregon 97365.

Linn County Historical Museum

The Linn County Historical Museum is housed inside the Brownsville railroad depot.  Historical artifacts, photographs and documents related to the history of Linn County are held in the collection.  Located at 101 Park Avenue in Brownsville, OR.

The Moyer House

Built in 1881 by John Moyer, this beautiful Italianate Villa style home is a museum and can be toured.  Located at 101 Park Avenue in Brownsville, OR.

Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum

The museum is focused on the early settlement of the SW Idaho and Eastern Oregon area.  Early settlers included Northern Paiutes, Hispanics, Basques, Japanese Americans and Euro-Americans.  Located  at 676 SW 5th Avenue in Ontario, OR.

Marion County Historical Society and Museum

The museum and education center are housed in the former Thomas Kay Woolen Mill Retail Store.  The primary focus is on the heritage of the Marion County area of Oregon.  A research library is features holdings of historical documents, maps, city directories, books and photographs.  Located at 260 12th Street SE in Salem, OR.

Mission Mill Museum

Old Aurora Colony Museum

Focus of the museum is on the history and crafts of the Colony families.  The buildings and artifacts have been passed down for generations.  Hands-on activities and craft demonstrations give visitors the opportunity to experience farm life in the late 1800s.  Located at 15018 Second Street NE in Aurora, OR.

Multnomah Falls

Crown Point and Vista House  [View the Brochure]

Vista House was built on Crown Point in 1916 at the same time as Highway 30 (The Columbia River Gorge Highway).  Vista House was built to be a place for visitors to stop for refreshment and enjoy the Columbia Gorge.  Today, the historic site houses a museum, gift shop and interpretive display of historic and geologic points of interest in the Columbia Gorge.

Gresham Historical Museum

[Gresham History]  [Photos]

Focused on the preservation of the history of Gresham and the surrounding area, it is operated by the Gresham Historical Society.  Located in historic downtown Gresham, OR at 410 North Main.

Harlow House Museum

Built in 1900 on Harlow Farm by Fred E. Harlow, son of Captain John Harlow, Troutdale's founder, the home was occupied by several pioneer families of Troutdale including the Harlow and Evans families.  Today it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and houses a museum.  The grounds are part of the Troutdale City Park System.  Located at 726 E. Historic Columbia River Highway.

Multnomah Falls

Visitors will enjoy the breathtaking site of the Multnomah Falls.  Known as the second tallest year-round waterfall in the United States, it drops 620 feet from Larch Mountain.  It is located just 20 minutes east of Troutdale and is found along the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway.

Museum Barn

Rail Depot Museum

Independence Heritage Museum 

Housed in the former 1888 Baptist Church Exhibits include a covered wagon, old schoolroom, tools, photos, Native American items and other historical artifacts related to the history of Independence and the surrounding area.  Located at 112 S. 3rd Street in Independence, OR.

Jensen Arctic Museum

Sherman County Historical Museum

Garibaldi Museum of Maritime History  [Captain Robert Gray]

Tillamook County Pioneer Museum

Frazier Farmstead Museum

[Frazier Family Genealogy]   [Milton - Freewater History]

Built in 1892 by William Samuel Frazier, the house was occupied by members of the Frazier family for almost a century.  Sitting on 6 acres, the house was willed to the Milton-Freewater Area Foundation by descendants of the family and holds a collection of antique furnishings and historical household items most which are original to the home.  Other buildings on the property include a 1918 barn, a carriage house and others which are an integral part of a turn-of-the-century working farm.  The house and grounds are available for rental.  Located at 1403 Chestnut Street in Milton-Freewater, OR.

Heritage Station Museum

Operated by the Umatilla County Historical Society, the museum features exhibits related to the history of Umatilla County, Oregon with artifacts and items used by Indian tribes, explorers, trappers and early pioneers.  Located at 108 SW Frazier in downtown Pendleton, OR.

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

Wasco County Historical Museum   [Historical Photos]

Focus is on the natural and cultural treasures of the Columbia Gorge and Wasco County.  Collections include American Indian baskets and artifacts, a photo archives, local genealogical files and exhibits related to the volcanic upheaval and raging floods which created the Gorge.  Located at 5000 Discovery Drive in The Dalles, OR.

Known as the first residence erected in what is now Newburg, Oregon, this Italianate style house was built by Jesse Edwards in 1881 and was home to Herbert Hoover between 1885 and 1889.  Today the house is owned and operated by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Oregon.  Furnishings inside the home range from President Hoover's bedroom set he used as a boy to historical items and antiques found in the Newberg area.  Located at 115 S. River Street in Newberg, OR.

Museum Index for Other States

Oregon Census Records