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Portland, OR – The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) has closed its popular Oregon My Oregon exhibition after fourteen years. Construction broke ground on May 1 on a brand new state-of the art permanent exhibition, Experience Oregon, which is set to debut on Oregon’s 160th birthday on February 14, 2019.
“One of the many privileges of serving as Executive Director has been the opportunity to tag along on guided tours of Oregon My Oregon,” said Kerry Tymchuk. “While I will miss Oregon My Oregon, I know that it is being replaced by an even more fascinating and relevant narrative.”
A project that has been in development for two years, Experience Oregon will provide an epic, inclusive overview of the state’s history. From a 180-degree intro theater to an immersive build that will let visitors walk through a covered wagon, the 7,000 square foot exhibit will provide a portal to Oregon for all visitors, from sixth generation Oregonians to recent arrivals to our state to tourists from across the world.
Central themes like water, land, and home span the exhibition’s timeline, inviting viewers to think about how the many people who have lived here have defined our state. By displaying new and much-loved artifacts, along with diverse voices representing Oregon’s many cultures and geographies, this reimagined exhibition will engage visitors in the experience of Oregon and its history.
Sample renderings of Experience Oregon are available for press at http://bit.ly/2HtYMb2
While the museum’s third floor is under construction, the Oregon Historical Society still has two permanent Oregon history exhibits available for visitors:
Oregon Voices examines some of the important actions and ideas that have shaped Oregon from the end of World War II to the present. From a discussion of Tom McCall’s environmental work to tribal termination and restoration to landmark legislation on gay rights and women’s rights, Oregon Voices employs artifacts, documents, and video interviews to spark conversations about modern day Oregon and what the future may hold for the state.
History Hub is the museum’s newest permanent exhibit made for kids, by kids. In History Hub, youth and families can explore the topic of diversity through fun, hands-on interactives and pictures. View historic artifacts like suffragist Abigail Scott Duniway’s typewriter, learn about different cultures by reading books in the “Book Nook,” and discover how Oregonians have stood up for fairness throughout history.
Other current and upcoming exhibits include:
- Racing to Change: Oregon’s Civil Rights Years (closes June 24)
- Oregon State University: A Legacy of Transformation (closes September 9)
- The Playful Brush: Works by the Meito Shodo-Kai Calligraphy Association (opens July 6)
- Portland Psychedelic: Music and Culture in the Rose City and Beyond, 1966 – 1972 (opens July 13)
- Special display of the recently restored Oregon Constitution (opens July 17)
- Barley, Barrels, Bottles, and Brews: 200 Years of Oregon Beer (opens October 26)
The Oregon Historical Society museum (1200 SW Park Avenue, Portland) is open seven days a week, Monday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm and Sunday from 12pm – 5pm. Starting June 25, admission to the Oregon Historical Society will be temporarily reduced to $5 until Experience Oregon opens on February 14, 2019. Admission is always free for OHS members and Multnomah County residents.
Funds for Experience Oregon are being raised through contributions to the Oregon Historical Society’s FORWARD! capital campaign. The creation of Experience Oregon, along with the development of OHS Digital Collections, the upcoming renovation of the OHS Research Library, and the establishment of key endowments, make up the four initiatives of this multi-year campaign.
About the Oregon Historical Society
For more than a century, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms & website (www.ohs.org), educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and rich as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.