Oregon Historical Society Museum, Portland
The Oregon Historical Society Museum explores the history of Oregon and the broader Pacific Northwest through permanent and changing exhibitions covering Indigenous cultures, early exploration, settlement, industry, politics, and everyday life. Established in 1898, the Oregon Historical Society preserves millions of historical records and artefacts. Its exhibits use original objects and multimedia to explore the state's development and diverse communities.
One of the museum's highlights is its extensive collection of historic photographs, personal belongings, artworks, and documents that illustrate life across different periods. Exhibitions examine subjects such as Native American heritage, the Oregon Trail, forestry, agriculture, transportation, immigration, and civil rights. Rotating displays and interactive exhibits make changing historical themes accessible to all ages.
Beyond its galleries, the museum serves as an important research centre, housing a large library, archives, and educational resources used by historians, students, and genealogists. Lectures, temporary exhibitions, family activities, and events offer further ways to explore the people and cultures that shaped Oregon.
One of the museum's highlights is its extensive collection of historic photographs, personal belongings, artworks, and documents that illustrate life across different periods. Exhibitions examine subjects such as Native American heritage, the Oregon Trail, forestry, agriculture, transportation, immigration, and civil rights. Rotating displays and interactive exhibits make changing historical themes accessible to all ages.
Beyond its galleries, the museum serves as an important research centre, housing a large library, archives, and educational resources used by historians, students, and genealogists. Lectures, temporary exhibitions, family activities, and events offer further ways to explore the people and cultures that shaped Oregon.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Portland. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Oregon Historical Society Museum on Map
Sight Name: Oregon Historical Society Museum
Sight Location: Portland, USA (See walking tours in Portland)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Portland, USA (See walking tours in Portland)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Nearby Sights
Walking Tours in Portland, Oregon
Create Your Own Walk in Portland
Creating your own self-guided walk in Portland is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Portland Food Tour
While Portland's "foodie scene" is still in its relative infancy, it has rightfully earned the number 1 spot on more than one list ranking the "Best Foodie Cities in America." Albeit rather small in size, the city is blessed with easy access to quality natural bounty, be it fresh seafood, fresh vegetables, fresh fungi, or delicious local wines.
Adding to this the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Adding to this the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Portland Introduction Walking Tour
Portland, the largest city in the US state of Oregon, was founded at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers in a virgin forest, near the end of the Oregon Trail, less than two centuries ago.
Named after Portland, Maine, which is itself named after the English Isle of Portland, the Oregon settlement began to be populated in the 1840s. Portland quickly flourished as a major port... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Named after Portland, Maine, which is itself named after the English Isle of Portland, the Oregon settlement began to be populated in the 1840s. Portland quickly flourished as a major port... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles












