Oregon Historical Society

Overview

The Oregon Historical Society in Portland's cultural district tells the story of Oregon from indigenous civilizations through the Lewis and Clark expedition to the modern era. The museum features immersive exhibitions and a major research library.

Highlights

• Oregon My Oregon: A sweeping permanent exhibit covering 10,000 years of state history.
• Lewis and Clark Collection: One of the most significant collections related to the expedition.
• Trompe l'Oeil Murals: Massive painted murals covering the building's exterior depict Oregon history.

History

Founded in 1898, the Oregon Historical Society has collected over 85,000 artifacts and millions of photographs. It moved to its current building in 1966 and was renovated in 2019 with new interactive galleries.

Visitor Tips

• Free on the third Saturday of each month.
• The research library is a resource for genealogy and Pacific Northwest history.
• Duration: 45–75 minutes.