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Oregon Historical Society

1200 SW Park Avenue · Portland, OR

Why you should go…

The Oregon Historical Society operates a history museum in downtown Portland's South Park Blocks, founded in 1898. The museum holds more than 85,000 artifacts and displays three floors of permanent and traveling exhibits on Oregon and American history. Its collection includes the 1835 copper penny used to help decide whether the city would be named Boston or Portland.

  • #history
  • #museum
  • #family
  • #downtown

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Oregon Historical Society, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Rainy-Day Pick

    Portland Art Museum

    $25–$50

    The Pacific Northwest's oldest art museum, spanning Native American art to contemporary photography.

    Right next doorMore like this

  • Theatre & Events
    Date Night

    Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

    $25–$50

    A restored 1928 vaudeville palace downtown, now home to the Oregon Symphony and touring shows.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Theatre & Events

  • Museums
    Quirky Fun

    Skeleton Key Odditorium

    Under $25

    An oddity museum and curiosity shop showcasing macabre antiques, sideshow history and gothic art in downtown Portland.

    Steps awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Gray Line of Portland

    $25–$50

    Hop-on hop-off pink trolley tours of Portland plus seasonal day trips along the Columbia River Gorge waterfall corridor.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Eat & Drink
    Foodie Favorite

    Portland Food Cart Pods

    Under $25

    Downtown blocks packed with dozens of independent food carts serving everything from Thai to Halal to Georgian khachapuri.

    0.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education

    Under $25

    Portland's Jewish history museum and Holocaust education center, the only Jewish museum in the Pacific Northwest.

    0.6 mi awayMore like this