Oregon Historical Society - History

History

The Society was organized on December 17, 1898, in Portland at the Portland Library Building. The first president was Harvey W. Scott, with memberships totaling 370 in the first year. Shortly after its formation, the Society opened its first office and museum in Portland City Hall and began the development of a regional research library and a collection of historical artifacts. In 1900 the first issue of the Oregon Historical Quarterly was printed as the official publication of the organization. In 1917, the Society moved into Portland’s Public Auditorium (now Keller Auditorium) and, in 1966, moved to its current location.

Thomas Vaughan stepped down from his 35-year presidency in 1990. Chet Orloff, who had left OHS in 1987 for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society in Pasadena, California, was considered by The Oregonian to be heir-apparent, but Bill Tramposch was brought in from Williamsburg, Virginia. Staff members staged a "coup" at the society, and Orloff returned to Portland in 1991, being appointed deputy director on January 1, 1992 after the staff turmoil and mismanagement, which had led to the resignation of nearly 30 staff members and Tramposch. Orloff remained in position for ten years, retiring at the end of 2000.

George L. Vogt, a former president of the American Association for State and Local History was appointed as the eighth Executive Director of OHS in November 2006. In July 2007, the Oregon Historical Society was awarded a $2.8 million biennial appropriation from the State of Oregon, though the organization is not a state entity. The $2.8 million given by the state over the two years equals 30% of the annual operating budget. In 2011, Vogt retired and was replaced by Kerry Tymchuk, who was named permanent director in October 2011.