Address: 1200 SW Park Ave
Pricing: Adults: $11, Students & Seniors: $9, Youth: $5
Phone: (503) 306-5198
Hours: Museum: Tues.-Sat.: 10:00am-5:00 pm. Sun: 12:00pm-5:00pm. Research Library: Thurs.-Sat.: 1:00pm-5:00pm
How To Get There:
From I-5 Northbound:
1. Take exit 299B on the left for I-405 W toward US-26 W/City Center/Beaverton
2. Take exit 1A on the left toward Naito Pkwy/Japanese-American Plaza/Falza
3. Merge onto SW Harbor Dr
4. SW Harbor Dr turns slightly left and becomes SW Clay St
5. Turn right at SW Park Ave
From I-5 Southbound:
1. Take exit 300B toward US-26 E/OR-99E/Omsi/Oregon City
2. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Morrison St/City Center and merge onto SE Morrison Bridge
3. Continue onto SW Washington St
4. Turn left at SW Broadway
5. Turn right at SW Jefferson St
6. Take the 1st right onto SW Park Ave
By Public Transit:
Located downtown Portland and serviced by any TriMet bus route or MAX light rail line which serves downtown.
Parking:Street, lot and garage parking are available
Visit Website
Oregon Historical Society: A living record of the state’s past
May 23, 2010
The Oregon Historical Society Museum is a perfect place to learn more about Oregon. From the days of Lewis & Clark to more recent developments, you can further your knowledge and have fun too. It is an adventure for both kids and adults, while its convenient location makes it easy to enjoy everything downtown Portland has to offer.
The museum is located on Park Street, near the Schneitzer Theatre as well as a few blocks east of the Portland Art Museum. It is also right across from the tall trees lining Park Street. On sunny days, you can rest outside the museum on one of the many benches. This can be a perfect respite from a day exploring Portland and also a lovely lunch spot.
While most large cities have a history museum of some kind, not many have one that exudes a cultural perspective like the Oregon Historical Society.
One of the nicest aspects of the museum is that it blends both the history of Oregon with modern history. So whether you are a Wild West buff or more interested in how Oregon’s developed over the last decade, chances are you will find a lot that interests you.
The current exhibits reflect this variety. Becoming American: Teenagers & Immigration is a “traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution [that] paints a poignant picture of teenage immigrants in America.” This modern exhibit is contrasted by Tall in the Saddle: 100 Years of the Pendleton Round Up, which “not only gives a rich sense of Round-Up history, but it also allows the visitor to feel the excitement that accompanies this enduring affair.” In addition, the museum has a number of permanent displays that are rich with fun and information.
Another offering besides the museum is the research library, one of the largest of its kind in the country. The library is perfect for students and people wanting a deeper knowledge that what the exhibits offer. The society's website also has a couple of online exhibits that further explain what awaits you upon your first visit.
HelloMetro Tip: The third Saturday of each month is Family Day. Two children under 18 are free with a paying adult, making it an affordable way for the whole family to see the museum’s exhibits.
- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro
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William CraneWilliam Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues.
Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.
