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Oregon Historical Society

Oregon Historical Society

Oregon Historical Society
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Explore Oregon’s past at the Oregon Historical Society! Located on the historic South Park Blocks in downtown Portland, the Oregon Historical Society’s museum is open seven days a week and features original and traveling exhibitions that tell stories of the people, places, and events that have shaped Oregon and American history. In February 2019, the Oregon Historical Society unveiled a brand permanent exhibit, Experience Oregon, that chronicles the state’s complex history through rare artifacts, hands-on interactives, and digital displays. The Society’s world-class research library is open Tuesday through Saturday and is the perfect place to research a historic home or find a long-lost pioneer relative. Don’t forget to stop by the museum store for a uniquely Oregon souvenir!
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See what travellers are saying
  • Nearwood
    Knoxville, Iowa11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Intrigued with the Oregon Trail
    My husband and I traveled to Portland to visit family and the first day’s activity included a visit to the Historical Museum. I am a fiction writer and wanted to learn more about the historic Oregon Trail as part of my research. The displays featured a lot of maps, actual artifacts, and a recreated covered wagon set in a panoramic illustrated background. The gift shop had a lot of interesting books on the topic. Entry fee was reasonable. Seniors and students get a discount. We stayed a little over an hour but could have lingered longer. Highly recommend this museum.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 October 2023
  • John C
    Indianapolis, Indiana8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent Exhibits
    Really great tour through Oregon history in the 3rd floor permanent exhibit! Well worth the very reasonable admission price. Great way to spend a rainy hour or two in Portland.
    Thank you for sharing your review! I am glad that you enjoyed the Experience Oregon exhibit; we appreciate your support and recommendation!
    Written 13 March 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 11 February 2024
  • cgc9
    New York City, New York10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent, make this your first stop!
    make this your first stop in portland. really well thoughtfully done. A lot of excellent content in three stories. under appreciated in my opinion. great gift shop. you should get your post cards here!
    Thank you for sharing your review! I am glad that you enjoyed the exhibits and gift shop; we appreciate your support and recommendation!
    Written 13 March 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 March 2024
  • Brent H
    St. George, Utah47 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very nice museum. Well worth a visit.
    I enjoy historical museums and this one did not disappoint. Well laid out. Start on the 3rd floor, then work your way down. Exhibits are very professional. A must see if you want an overview of Portland. Staff were helpful and knowledgeable. Spent about 3 hours which was about right.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles471 reviews
Excellent
254
Very good
153
Average
48
Poor
12
Terrible
4

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Sherry R
Phoenix, AZ93 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
Information provided in a confusing blast. You can walk through room after room reading little placards to learn about the Native American Tribes and Oregon's racist history. Eventually, there is information about people coming from England via ship and overland from the East and Midwestern parts of the U.S. Unfortunately, after the initial short film, there are no other breaks from reading placards. No other short films or activities.

Really difficult to absorb so much disparate information all at once. I would have welcomed even a coffee shop with a few chairs to take a rest before I tried to finish the exhibit. If you live in Portland, it is free. It cost me $8.

Also, while I agree it is important to acknowledge racist and shameful events in the past, I would like to acknowledge that some white people (my relatives, for example), traveled to Oregon to make a better life for themselves; not to kill ethnic minorities.

I also saw a Motown exhibit. Unfortunately, the sound on the videos was so quiet, I could barely hear them!
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Princerman
Otsego, MN1,334 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
This was a neat little gem right near the farmers market. We were probably here a couple of hours. I am sure that more perspectives could be added but it was generally pretty good. I could see how a conservative person may not like this museum as much. A lot of stuff about how native Americans were hosed over time.
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EaglesFan27
Reading, PA695 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
As an east coast person, I really enjoyed learning about the history of Oregon. The museum talks about the geography, the native peoples, followed by the more recent history of the state. The third-floor gallery was the best part, while the others were ok.
Written 7 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

adventuregirl14
United States1,269 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Loved the sheer amount of history that this museum encompasses - so much to take in about the state. I usually get bored in museums but this was different. There were so many interactive exhibits, videos to watch, etc. I would definitely recommend a trip to the Oregon Historical Society if you are visiting Portland!
Written 5 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SMF-Collegeville
Batesville, IN205 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2023
Great museum with a good mix of information and interactive exhibits to ensure that all can move at their own speed. Purposely provides a range of viewpoints and makes history feel more alive. Has an area that is specifically focused on exhibits for younger kids.
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nearwood
Knoxville, IA11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
My husband and I traveled to Portland to visit family and the first day’s activity included a visit to the Historical Museum. I am a fiction writer and wanted to learn more about the historic Oregon Trail as part of my research. The displays featured a lot of maps, actual artifacts, and a recreated covered wagon set in a panoramic illustrated background. The gift shop had a lot of interesting books on the topic. Entry fee was reasonable. Seniors and students get a discount. We stayed a little over an hour but could have lingered longer. Highly recommend this museum.
Written 18 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Monica F
Ravenna, Italy86 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
During my week in Portland I visited this wonderful museum. The love of Oregon history is visible in every detail. In a week it is difficult to savor the beauty of Portland, let alone all of Oregon. The historical museum is a great opportunity to learn about and savor the wonderful uniqueness of this state. The old wild West.
Google
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brent H
St. George, UT47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2024 • Couples
I enjoy historical museums and this one did not disappoint. Well laid out. Start on the 3rd floor, then work your way down. Exhibits are very professional. A must see if you want an overview of Portland. Staff were helpful and knowledgeable. Spent about 3 hours which was about right.
Written 24 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John C
Indianapolis, IN8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
Really great tour through Oregon history in the 3rd floor permanent exhibit! Well worth the very reasonable admission price. Great way to spend a rainy hour or two in Portland.
Written 11 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your review! I am glad that you enjoyed the Experience Oregon exhibit; we appreciate your support and recommendation!
Written 13 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

cgc9
New York City, NY10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Solo
make this your first stop in portland. really well thoughtfully done. A lot of excellent content in three stories. under appreciated in my opinion. great gift shop. you should get your post cards here!
Written 9 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your review! I am glad that you enjoyed the exhibits and gift shop; we appreciate your support and recommendation!
Written 13 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Oregon Historical Society - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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