Washington County Museum

Infobox Museum
name = Washington County Museum


established = 1956
location = Washington County, Oregon, United States
type = private: history
visitors = 5,000 annually
director =
curator = Jennifer Kozik
website = [http://www.washingtoncountymuseum.org washingtoncountymuseum.org]

Washington County Museum is a history museum located in unincorporated Washington County, Oregon, United States at Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Campus. [http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/117510631753780.xml&coll=7 Get Out Guide.] OregonLive.com. Retrieved on March 31 2007.] This museum is operated by the Washington County Historical Society with a mission of preserving the history of the area. [ [http://www.lclark.edu/dept/history/historganization.html Local Historical Organizations.] Lewis & Clark College. Retrieved on March 31 2007.]

History

In the 1930s, local historian Albert E. Tozier donated his collection of artifacts, books, maps, and other items to the county historical society.Buan, Carolyn M. "This Far-Off Sunset Land: A Pictorial History of Washington County, Oregon". Donning Company Publishers, 1999. p. 15.] In 1956, the Washington County Historical Society was incorporated. [http://www.washingtoncountymuseum.org/aboutus/ourhistory.php Our History.] Washington County Museum. Retrieved on February 29 2008.] Then in 1975 the county decided to start a history museum. From 1975 to 1987, Washington County owned and operated the museum. [Washington County Museum may charge admission. "The Oregonian", August 6 1990.] During that time the museum was in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon, at the Heidel Home. In 1982 a new museum was built at the Portland Community College campus at Rock Creek, and it opened in January 1983. Then in September 1987 the Washington County Historical Society took over operations at the museum. In 2007, the museum began a $1.7 million expansion of the facility to more than double the size of the museum. [Gorman, Kathleen. [http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/metro_west_news/1190944513317620.xml&coll=7 A bigger commitment to history.] "The Oregonian", September 28 2007.]

Key facts

The museum receives 5,000 visitors annually to the convert|5000|sqft|m2|sing=on building.A call to step up, help county history stay alive A call to step up, help county history stay alive. "The Oregonian", June 15 2006.] Washington County Museum houses approximately 40,000 artifacts and receives another 500 pieces each year. It operates a small store selling books about local history. [ [http://www.washingtoncountymuseum.org/store/index.php Store.] Washington County Museum. Retrieved on February 29 2008.]

Collections, exhibits, programs

The main exhibit at the museum is the original Washington County Jail built in 1853.The years have changed 'Doing Time'. "The Oregonian", September 9 2004.] This structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [cite web | title = Oregon National Register List | publisher = Oregon Parks & Recreation Dept.: Heritage Programs: National Register | url= http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/NATREG/docs/oregon_nr_list.pdf | format = PDF |accessdate=2008-02-29] The convert|10|ft|m|sing=on by convert|16|ft|m|sing=on jailhouse is located inside the museum.

Other artifacts in the collections range from everyday items such as sewing machines, to a wedding dress of a local prominent family. [ [http://www.washingtoncountymuseum.org/collections/index.php Collections.] Washington County Museum. Retrieved on February 29 2008.]

Formerly, the museum hosted an annual plowing event named the Draft Horse Plowing Exhibition to demonstrate farming before mechanized agriculture.Draft Horse Plowing Exhibition, "The Oregonian", May 19 2006.] However, the event has moved to Champoeg State Park. [ [http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=117510996527257000 Draft horses find greener, softer pastures for plowing exhibition.] "News-Times". Retrieved on March 31 2007.] Washington County Museum also educates the local community on the history of the county including use of a mobile museum. [ [http://www.washingtoncountymuseum.org/education/index.php Education.] Washington County Museum. Retrieved on February 29 2008.]

External links

References