Washington County Museum - Collections, Exhibits, Programs

Collections, Exhibits, Programs

One exhibit at the museum is the original Washington County Jail built in 1853. This structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places from 1986 until 2008. Previously located at the county fairgrounds, the structure was rehabilitated and moved to the museum in 2004. The 10-foot (3.0 m) by 16-foot (4.9 m) jailhouse is was originally located inside the museum, but was moved outside when the museum was expanded in 2007.

Other artifacts in the collections range from everyday items such as sewing machines, to a wedding dress of a local prominent family. The museum's other exhibits include This Kalapuya Land that focuses on the Native Americans of the area, Washington County in a Nutshell that features artifacts from throughout the county's history, and a changing exhibit along with visiting collections. Visiting exhibits have included Oregon is Indian Country from the Oregon Historical Society, among others. Also, the museum partners with Print Arts Northwest to convert the lobby into an art gallery each month.

Formerly, the museum hosted an annual plowing event named the Draft Horse Plowing Exhibition to demonstrate farming before mechanized agriculture. However, the event has moved to Champoeg State Park. Washington County Museum also educates the local community on the history of the county including use of a mobile museum.