Museums
Albany
Albany Regional Museum
136 Lyon St. S.
541-967-7122
armuseum@peak.org
www.armuseum.com
Open noon to 4 p.m. (M-F) and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (SAT) to school groups and tours by appointment.
The Albany Regional Museum is a nonprofit organization that acquires, documents, preserves and interprets materials illustrating the history and development of Albany. The museum offers educational and historical exhibits and the Rod and Marty Tripp Reference Room, which holds historical information for Albany and the surrounding area, and work space for research. Admission is free; donations accepted.
Monteith House
518 Second Ave. S.W.
541-928-0911
www.albanyvisitors.com/historic-albany/museums/monteith-house/
Open noon to 4 p.m. (W-SAT, June 15 to Sept. 15) and by appointment.
This is the town’s oldest frame building built in 1849 by Albany’s founders, Walter and Thomas Monteith. It is said to be the most authentically restored pioneer home in Oregon and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission is by voluntary donation.
Brownsville
Linn County Historical Museum
101 Park Ave.
541-466-3390
lchm@centurytel.net
www.co.linn.or.us./museum
Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (M-SAT) and 1 to 5 p.m. (SUN). The Moyer House is open to tours only from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (SAT) and 1 to 5 p.m. (SUN); tours depart hourly from the historical museum.
This museum features exhibits of pioneer life, tools and clothing; a genealogy section; and movie theater with a video collection including the 1986 movie “Stand By Me” filmed in Brownsville. One of the few remaining covered wagons that made it across the Oregon Trail is displayed, a wagon belonging to the William Drinkard family who came to Oregon in 1865 on a six-month journey from Missouri. The 1881 Moyer House, around the corner at 204 N. Main St., is also a part of the museum. Guided walking tours around Brownsville available by appointment. Admission is by voluntary donation.
Harrisburg
Harrisburg Area Museum
490 Smith St.
541-995-4844
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (T/TH/SAT) and other days by appointment.
The museum includes an 1867 house that contains many antiques and memorabilia from the area, including two steam tractors, a 1923 Star Touring car and a 1910 Overland Touring car. Other buildings house a collection of pioneer era farm implements, antique tools and machinery that show what it took to make a living in the early years of Oregon’s history. There is also a collection of models by the late Bruce Witmer, including a farmstead, the Crater Lake Lodge and Noah’s ark. Admission is free, but a donation is suggested.
Independence
Heritage Museum
112 S. Third St.
503-838-4989
heritagemuseum@minetfiber.com
www.heritage.org
Open 1 to 5 p.m. (W/SAT), 1 to 4 p.m. (TH/F) or by appointment.
Constantly changing exhibits keep this museum fresh and interesting. Tours can be scheduled by appointment. The museum holds a large collection of artifacts, photos and memorabilia from the 1950 Oregon Cavalcade, plus an impressive military exhibit. Admission is free.
Monmouth
Jensen Arctic Museum – Western Oregon University
590 Church St.
503-838-8468
www.wou.edu/arctic
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (W-SAT); closed on federal holidays.
This is the only museum on the West Coast dedicated wholly to informing and educating the people about the environment of the arctic and the culture of arctic people. The museum collection includes arctic art, artifacts, everyday objects and an authentic walrus skin whaling boat used by Dr. Paul H. Jensen on one of his last expeditions in the arctic during the 1970s. There is also a wild arctic theater with taxidermy wolves, caribou, musk oxen and a polar bear. Special children’s activities are held from 1 to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Admission is a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.
Monroe
South Benton Communities Historical Association Museum
140 Highway 99W
541-847-7226 (W), 541-847-5288
Open 1 to 4 p.m. (W) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the last Saturday of the month.
Monroe, Alpine, Bellfountain, Irish Bend and other communities are featured in this museum opened in the fall of 2002. Its exhibits include artifacts from pioneer days, information on area schools and displays related to the local logging industry. A rotating exhibit is often featured at the museum. Admission is free; donations accepted.
Newport
Oregon Coast History Center
545 S.W. Ninth St.
541-265-7509
coasthistory@newportnet.com
oregoncoast.history.museum
Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (T-SUN) and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (T-SUN, June to September).
The site offers a look at Native American, maritime and coastal settlement history, including a log cabin museum, an 1895 Victorian home museum, research library and two museum stores. Admission is by voluntary donation.
Philomath
Benton County Historical Museum
1101 Main St.
541-929-6230
info@bentoncountymuseum.org
www.bentoncountymuseum.org
Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (T-SAT).
The museum occupies an historic Georgian-style brick building, constructed in 1867, with wings added in the early 20th century. It was the home of Philomath College from 1867 to 1929. Exhibitions address a variety of cultural themes.
The museum also maintains a year-round visual arts exhibition program, including an out-standing quilt exhibition, children’s art and shows by local artists. A research library is available (by appointment only) to help students, writers and other researchers learn about local history. A small museum store specializes in books on Oregon history, genealogy and local history. Admission is by voluntary donation.
Scio
Scio Depot Museum
39004 N.E. First St.
503-394-2199
Open 1 to 4 p.m. (SAT/SUN, May to October) or by appointment.
Mid-valley memorabilia and exhibits, with an emphasis on the Scio area, are displayed in the 1890 West Scio train depot. Run by the Scio Historical Society, the site also features a train caboose and picnic grounds. Admission is free.
Shedd
Shedd Museum
29990 First St.
541-369-2317
Open by appointment.
The old Shedd bank building contains artifacts and collections of the late Lucille Shedd and her brother Harold. The displays include community memorabilia, items from the Civil War and Oregon Trail eras and fine collectibles. Admission is by voluntary donation.
Sweet Home
East Linn Museum
746 Long St.
541-367-4580
Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (TH-SAT), 1 to 4 p.m. (SUN) and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (W, May to August).
Exhibits and memorabilia emphasizing the late 1800s and early 1900s in Sweet Home and east Linn County are housed in the former Sunnyside School building that later became a church. There are completely furnished turn-of-the-century rooms, including a kitchen, parlor and bedroom. Logging equipment from the same era is also on display. Admission is by voluntary donation.
Toledo
Toledo Historical Museum
Toledo City Hall on Main Street
541-265-7509
coasthistory@newportnet.com
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (M-F).
Founded in 1984, this collection of early sawmill, logging and railroad memorabilia reflects the region’s timber industry over the years. The museum is managed by the Lincoln County Historical Society in Newport. Admission is free.
Waldport
Waldport Heritage Museum
320 N.E. Grant St.
541-563-7092
waldportmuseum@peak.org
Open noon to 4 p.m. (W-F), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (SAT/SUN) or by appointment.
Exhibits include views of Native American history, the logging business, period clothing, cooking utensils and photographs. The museum is a 1941 Civilian Conservation Corps structure and it also houses a genealogical library. Admission is free; donations accepted.