Oregon Historical Society Museum
Encyclopedia
The Oregon Historical Society Museum is a history museum housed at the Oregon History Center in downtown Portland, Oregon
, United States
. The museum was created in 1898 and house about 44,000 visitors annually.
It houses the Portland Penny
that decided the city’s name. This 1835 copper penny was flipped to decide between the names of Boston and Portland, with Portland as the winner. The museum contains over 85,000 artifacts, and is accredited by the American Association of Museums
.
is operated by the Oregon Historical Society
. It began at the turn of the 19th century with a small museum located at Portland City Hall
in downtown Portland. In 1917 the historical society and the museum moved to the Public Auditorium (later Civic Auditorium, then Keller Auditorium
).
In 1966 the museum relocated again to its current home on the South Park Blocks
, at 1200 SW Park Avenue. Part of the Oregon History Center is inside the former Sovereign Hotel
that was built in 1923. There is a large mural on this nine story building painted by Richard Haas that depicts the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Other parts of the museum are in the three story 1230 SW Park Avenue building constructed in 1965.
The museum's lobby was remodeled in 2002–2003 at a cost of $3.75 million. Attendance in 2002 totaled 26,791 patrons for the museum. For much of its history the historical society received funding from the state and from Multnomah County, but in 2003 that ended. The 2007 legislature allocated $625,000 to the society, followed by $2.5 million in for 2009 to 2011. The museum's attendance totaled about 44,000 visitors in 2010.
used to decide the name of the city, Captain Robert Gray's storage chest from aboard the Columbia Rediviva
, a 10,000 year old sandal, memorabilia from the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
, Native American artifacts, a miniature vehicle collection, and many everyday items from jars to dresses.
Oregon My Oregon is a 7000 square feet (650.3 m²) display covering Oregon’s history from early settlement to current times. Significant items include a reproduction of a ship’ hull, a 1940s era mercantile store, an intact complete lunch counter from a diner, and a 9000 year old sandal. This exhibit won a silver 2005 MUSE Award in the History and Culture category from the American Association of Museums for the lunch counter display entitled Modern Oregon Issues.
Battleship Oregon
: Bulldog of the Navy, examines the history of the historic ship that bore the state’s name. Made famous by it voyage to Cuba
for the Spanish-American War
in 1898, the display looks at the impact the ship had on history and the ship’s own history from construction through demise. The exhibit also talks about the captain and life on board the vessel.
Oregon Art is an exhibit that has changing works of art. The exhibit attempts to educate visitors about Oregon artists from pre-statehood times to the present. Artists works include those from Joseph Drayton of the 1841 Wilkes Expedition to Oregon Country
.
The museum also houses traveling exhibits such as one commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition in 2005. In 2001, the center exhibited historic Native American trade blankets from the Dale Chihuly
collection. Additionally there are traveling exhibits containing historic photographs.
.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The museum was created in 1898 and house about 44,000 visitors annually.
It houses the Portland Penny
Portland Penny
The Portland Penny is the name subsequently given to a specific coin, a U.S. copper one-cent piece, used to decide the name of Portland, Oregon, United States...
that decided the city’s name. This 1835 copper penny was flipped to decide between the names of Boston and Portland, with Portland as the winner. The museum contains over 85,000 artifacts, and is accredited by the American Association of Museums
American Association of Museums
The American Association of Museums is a non-profit association that has brought museums together since its founding in 1906, helping develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and advocating on issues of concern to the museum community...
.
History
The museumMuseum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
is operated by the Oregon Historical Society
Oregon Historical Society
The Oregon Historical Society is an organization that encourages and promotes the study and understanding of the history of the Oregon Country, within the broader context of U.S. history. Incorporated in 1898, the Society collects, preserves, and makes available materials of historical character...
. It began at the turn of the 19th century with a small museum located at Portland City Hall
Portland City Hall (Oregon)
Portland City Hall is the headquarters of city government of Portland, Oregon, United States. The four-story Italian Renaissance-style building houses the offices of the City Council, which consists of the mayor and four commissioners, and several other offices. City Hall is also home to the City...
in downtown Portland. In 1917 the historical society and the museum moved to the Public Auditorium (later Civic Auditorium, then Keller Auditorium
Keller Auditorium
Keller Auditorium, formerly known as the Portland Municipal Auditorium, the Portland Public Auditorium, and the Portland Civic Auditorium, is a performing arts center located on Clay Street in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is part of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts...
).
In 1966 the museum relocated again to its current home on the South Park Blocks
South Park Blocks
The South Park Blocks form a city park in downtown Portland, Oregon. The Oregonian has called it Portland's "extended family room", as Pioneer Courthouse Square is known as Portland's "living room"....
, at 1200 SW Park Avenue. Part of the Oregon History Center is inside the former Sovereign Hotel
Sovereign Hotel (Oregon)
The Sovereign Hotel was a Portland, Oregon, hotel built in 1923. The nine story building was added to the United States' National Register of Historic Places on December 2, 1981. Part of the building houses a portion of the Oregon Historical Society’s Oregon History Center.-Details:The Georgian...
that was built in 1923. There is a large mural on this nine story building painted by Richard Haas that depicts the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Other parts of the museum are in the three story 1230 SW Park Avenue building constructed in 1965.
Collections
The museum contains over 85,000 artifacts relating to the history of the region in its collections. Artifacts include the famous Portland PennyPortland Penny
The Portland Penny is the name subsequently given to a specific coin, a U.S. copper one-cent piece, used to decide the name of Portland, Oregon, United States...
used to decide the name of the city, Captain Robert Gray's storage chest from aboard the Columbia Rediviva
Columbia Rediviva
Columbia Rediviva was a privately owned ship under the command of John Kendrick, along with Captain Robert Gray, best known for going to the Pacific Northwest for the maritime fur trade. The "Rediviva" was added to her name upon a rebuilding in 1787...
, a 10,000 year old sandal, memorabilia from the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition
The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, commonly also known as the Lewis and Clark Exposition, and officially known as the Lewis and Clark Centennial American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair, was a worldwide exposition held in Portland, Oregon, United States in 1905 to celebrate the...
, Native American artifacts, a miniature vehicle collection, and many everyday items from jars to dresses.
Exhibits
Permanent exhibits at the museum include: Oregon My Oregon; Battleship Oregon: Bulldog of the Navy; and Oregon Art.Oregon My Oregon is a 7000 square feet (650.3 m²) display covering Oregon’s history from early settlement to current times. Significant items include a reproduction of a ship’ hull, a 1940s era mercantile store, an intact complete lunch counter from a diner, and a 9000 year old sandal. This exhibit won a silver 2005 MUSE Award in the History and Culture category from the American Association of Museums for the lunch counter display entitled Modern Oregon Issues.
Battleship Oregon
USS Oregon (BB-3)
USS Oregon was a pre-Dreadnought of the United States Navy. Her construction was authorized on 30 June 1890, and the contract to build her was awarded to Union Iron Works of San Francisco, California on 19 November 1890. Her keel was laid exactly one year later...
: Bulldog of the Navy, examines the history of the historic ship that bore the state’s name. Made famous by it voyage to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
for the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
in 1898, the display looks at the impact the ship had on history and the ship’s own history from construction through demise. The exhibit also talks about the captain and life on board the vessel.
Oregon Art is an exhibit that has changing works of art. The exhibit attempts to educate visitors about Oregon artists from pre-statehood times to the present. Artists works include those from Joseph Drayton of the 1841 Wilkes Expedition to Oregon Country
Oregon Country
The Oregon Country was a predominantly American term referring to a disputed ownership region of the Pacific Northwest of North America. The region was occupied by British and French Canadian fur traders from before 1810, and American settlers from the mid-1830s, with its coastal areas north from...
.
The museum also houses traveling exhibits such as one commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition in 2005. In 2001, the center exhibited historic Native American trade blankets from the Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly
Dale Chihuly is an American glass sculptor and entrepreneur.-Biography:Chihuly graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Tacoma, Washington. He enrolled at the College of the Puget Sound in 1959...
collection. Additionally there are traveling exhibits containing historic photographs.
Other
The Oregon History Center also contains the society’s research library and historic photograph collection. Additionally, the museum store sells items such as books and history memorabilia. The museum is accredited by the American Association of MuseumsAmerican Association of Museums
The American Association of Museums is a non-profit association that has brought museums together since its founding in 1906, helping develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and advocating on issues of concern to the museum community...
.
External links
- Jefferson Room
- NY Times Travel Guide: Oregon Historical Society Museum
- Steve Lorton & Bonnie Henderson. Rainy Day Portland. SunsetSunset (magazine)Sunset is a lifestyle magazine in the United States. Sunset focuses on homes, cooking, gardening, and travel, with a focus almost exclusively on the Western United States...
, August 1994.