The Oregon Historical Society Museum is a history museum housed at the Oregon Historical Society in downtown Portland, Oregon , United States . The museum was created in 1898 and receives about 44,000 visitors annually.
19-644: It houses the Portland Penny that decided the city’s name. This 1835 copper penny was flipped to decide between the names of Boston and Portland, with Portland as the winner. The museum contains over 85,000 artifacts, and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums . The museum is operated by the Oregon Historical Society . It began at the end of the 19th century with a small museum located at Portland City Hall in downtown Portland. In 1913,
38-514: A reproduction of a ship's hull, a 1940s-era mercantile store, a complete lunch counter from a diner, and a 9,000-year-old sandal. This exhibit won a silver 2005 MUSE Award in the History and Culture category from the American Alliance of Museums for the lunch counter display entitled Modern Oregon Issues. The museum also houses traveling exhibits such as one commemorating the 200th anniversary of
57-555: Is agreed that the event happened in an Oregon City home in 1845. But the exact home was never explicitly stated at the time. Most historians believe the coin toss occurred in the Francis Ermatinger House , the home of Hudson's Bay Company Chief Trader Francis Ermatinger . Because of this and the fact that the Ermatinger House is the only remaining house of that early period, it is the site officially used to celebrate
76-507: The Lewis and Clark Expedition . Part of the sales agreement stated that both the building, built in 1923, and the mural would be preserved. The museum's lobby was remodeled in 2002–2003 at a cost of $ 3.75 million. Attendance in 2002 totaled 26,791 patrons for the museum. For much of its history the historical society received funding from the state and from Multnomah County, but in 2003 that ended. The 2007 legislature allocated $ 625,000 to
95-527: The South Park Blocks , at 1200 SW Park Avenue. The Society originally owned the full city block between Madison and Jefferson streets and SW Park and Broadway, but sold part of this property in 2014 when it sold the Sovereign Hotel . There is a large two-part mural on this nine-story building called Oregon History , painted by Richard Haas; of the two murals, that on the building's west side depicts
114-463: The Sovereign Hotel . There is a large two-part mural on this nine-story building called Oregon History , painted by Richard Haas; of the two murals, that on the building's west side depicts the Lewis and Clark Expedition . Part of the sales agreement stated that both the building, built in 1923, and the mural would be preserved. The museum's lobby was remodeled in 2002–2003 at a cost of $ 3.75 million. Attendance in 2002 totaled 26,791 patrons for
133-533: The Lewis & Clark Expedition in 2005. In 2001, the center exhibited historic Native American trade blankets from the Dale Chihuly collection. Additionally there are traveling exhibits containing historic photographs. The Oregon Historical Society also contains the society’s research library and historic photograph collection. Additionally, the museum store sells items such as books and history memorabilia. The museum
152-458: The end of the 19th century with a small museum located at Portland City Hall in downtown Portland. In 1913, the historical society and the museum moved from city hall to the Tourny Building , at 2nd and Taylor streets. In 1917, they moved again, to the then-new Public Auditorium (later Civic Auditorium, then Keller Auditorium ). In 1966, the museum relocated again to its current home on
171-469: The event. Some also theorize that the coin toss occurred in the house of Judge Albert E. Wilson . This Oregon -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Oregon Historical Society Museum The Oregon Historical Society Museum is a history museum housed at the Oregon Historical Society in downtown Portland, Oregon , United States . The museum
190-498: The fledgling site—then known as The Clearing —after their respective home towns. The coin toss was decided in 1845 with two out of three tosses which Pettygrove won. Portland was incorporated in 1851. The coin, minted in 1835, was found in a safe deposit box left behind by Lovejoy and is now on display in the Oregon Historical Society Museum . Multiple versions of the coin-toss location have been proposed. It
209-500: The historical society and the museum moved from city hall to the Tourny Building , at 2nd and Taylor streets. In 1917, they moved again, to the then-new Public Auditorium (later Civic Auditorium, then Keller Auditorium ). In 1966, the museum relocated again to its current home on the South Park Blocks , at 1200 SW Park Avenue. The Society originally owned the full city block between Madison and Jefferson streets and SW Park and Broadway, but sold part of this property in 2014 when it sold
SECTION 10
#1733085240105228-533: The history of the region in its collections. Artifacts include the famous Portland Penny used to decide the name of the city, Captain Robert Gray 's storage chest from aboard the Columbia Rediviva , a 10,000-year-old sandal, memorabilia from the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition , Native American artifacts, a miniature vehicle collection, and many everyday items from jars to dresses. Permanent exhibits at
247-420: The lunch counter display entitled Modern Oregon Issues. The museum also houses traveling exhibits such as one commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition in 2005. In 2001, the center exhibited historic Native American trade blankets from the Dale Chihuly collection. Additionally there are traveling exhibits containing historic photographs. The Oregon Historical Society also contains
266-422: The museum include Oregon My Oregon , a 7,000-square-foot (650 m) display covering Oregon’s history from early settlement to current times. Significant items include a reproduction of a ship's hull, a 1940s-era mercantile store, a complete lunch counter from a diner, and a 9,000-year-old sandal. This exhibit won a silver 2005 MUSE Award in the History and Culture category from the American Alliance of Museums for
285-495: The museum. For much of its history the historical society received funding from the state and from Multnomah County, but in 2003 that ended. The 2007 legislature allocated $ 625,000 to the society, followed by $ 2.5 million in for 2009 to 2011. A ballot measure was later passed by Multnomah County voters providing funding; in exchange county residents get free admission. The museum's attendance totaled about 44,000 visitors in 2010. The museum contains over 85,000 artifacts relating to
304-490: The name of the city, Captain Robert Gray 's storage chest from aboard the Columbia Rediviva , a 10,000-year-old sandal, memorabilia from the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition , Native American artifacts, a miniature vehicle collection, and many everyday items from jars to dresses. Permanent exhibits at the museum include Oregon My Oregon , a 7,000-square-foot (650 m ) display covering Oregon’s history from early settlement to current times. Significant items include
323-418: The society, followed by $ 2.5 million in for 2009 to 2011. A ballot measure was later passed by Multnomah County voters providing funding; in exchange county residents get free admission. The museum's attendance totaled about 44,000 visitors in 2010. The museum contains over 85,000 artifacts relating to the history of the region in its collections. Artifacts include the famous Portland Penny used to decide
342-558: The society’s research library and historic photograph collection. Additionally, the museum store sells items such as books and history memorabilia. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums . Portland Penny The Portland Penny is the name subsequently given to a specific copper matron head one-cent coin , used to decide the name of Portland, Oregon , United States . The City of Portland's two founders, Francis Pettygrove from Portland, Maine and Asa Lovejoy from Boston, Massachusetts , both wanted to name
361-420: Was created in 1898 and receives about 44,000 visitors annually. It houses the Portland Penny that decided the city’s name. This 1835 copper penny was flipped to decide between the names of Boston and Portland, with Portland as the winner. The museum contains over 85,000 artifacts, and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums . The museum is operated by the Oregon Historical Society . It began at
#104895