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Thursday 12pm - 3pm Friday 12pm - 3pm Saturday 12pm - 3pm Sunday 12pm - 3pm

Troutdale Historical Society

Name: Troutdale Historical Society
Address: 732 E. Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, OR, 97060, US
Telephone: (503) 661-2164
Price range: $

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Troutdale Historical Society

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East County’s Oldest Historical Society, sharing the history of Troutdale and the surrounding area since 1968. Harlow.

Visit our three museums: the Barn Exhibit Hall Museum, the Harlow House Museum, and the Depot Rail Museum. The Troutdale Historical Society offers three museums to the public:

Barn Exhibit Hall features the Building of the Historic Columbia River Highway - King of Roads. Harlow House - a 1900 farm house, which was built by Fred E. The Harlow House and the Barn Exhibit Hall are open Thursday - Sunday from 12pm - 3pm. Rail Depot Museum & 1975 Caboose - Rail Depot, built in 1907 and moved to its current location for a museum in 1976. The caboose was placed at its current location in 1999 and paint restored in 2016. The Rail Depot Museum is open every Friday 10am-2pm. We look forward to seeing you in at our museums! Until then, check out our website for historical Troutdale information and support.

10/29/2026

History, handshakes, and a BASH at the Barn! 🏛️🤝

Last night, we welcomed the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce to the Barn Exhibit Hall Museum for their Halloween BASH. What a treat to fill the museum with conversation, laughter, and people who care about our community!

In a small city like ours, connections matter. The Chamber brings local businesses and neighbors together, helping us discover what’s right around the corner and get to know the people behind the storefronts. Those relationships help our businesses thrive and our community grow closer. ❤️

We’re honored to be a Chamber member and grateful we could open our doors to support their work and our amazing community. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Own a small local business? Come join the fun! Chamber membership is a wonderful way to meet fellow business owners, build relationships, and help shape a thriving local community. Your next great connection could start with a simple hello. 👋

10/25/2026

📖✨ An unexpected discovery. “Gorge-ous” handwriting. A remarkable gift to THS!

When THS member and author Lana Luke ( Haunted Gorge ) began looking through a book collection she had recently received from a dear friend David Gruen, one title stopped her in her tracks: The Columbia: America’s Great Highway by Samuel C. Lancaster.

She immediately knew who would appreciate it. Then she opened the cover and discovered something even more exciting:

“Compliments of Mr. A. H. Eilers – This book is mans effort to portray something of the grandeur and the wonderful beauty of the Gorge of the Columbia and to depict what men have done to make accessible one of the great creations of God. – Samuel C. Lancaster, Portland Oregon, August 16th, 1916”

Was it actually handwritten? Who was Mr. Eilers? Wow 😲 that's some really nice handwriting! Lana contacted the Troutdale Historical Society to share her discovery and learn more.

Our team instantly recognized Samuel’s unmistakably “Gorge-ous” handwriting! Known for his beautiful penmanship, Lancaster brought an artistic touch to the page as well as the highway. Our research confirmed the handwritten inscription and signature and helped uncover the identity behind “A. H. Eilers.”

🛣️ Samuel C. Lancaster helped turn an ambitious highway project into an extraordinary scenic experience. As an engineer behind the Columbia River Highway, he carefully planned a route showcasing the Gorge’s waterfalls, towering cliffs, and breathtaking views. His book celebrated the landscape he helped make accessible to travelers.

🎹 Adolf H. Eilers, whose name also appears as Adolph in contemporary records, was a partner and incorporator of Portland’s famous Eilers Piano House, serving as secretary and treasurer. This prominent music business brought instruments into Northwest homes and grew into a network whose 1910 consolidation included 40 Pacific Coast stores!

The inscription adds another intriguing detail. According to information shared with THS, Lancaster reserved personal inscriptions for very close friends and family only! That makes this treasure all that much more incredible 💚

After speaking about it, Davud and Lana decided this treasure deserved a home among the Columbia River Highway artifacts at THS. We were thrilled to accept! 😍🥰

In better condition than our current archival copy, this volume preserves a personal message from 110 years ago, connecting the highway’s history, Portland’s musical heritage, and Lancaster’s love of the Gorge.

🔎 Want to see it for yourself? The book will be on full permanent exhibit as soon as our curators complete the important work of documenting, photographing, and fully accessioning it into our collection. Their careful work preserves both the object and its story for future generations. We can’t wait to share it with you!

💚 Thank you, David and Lana, for recognizing this treasure and entrusting it to the Troutdale Historical Society. And thank you to everyone who donates artifacts, photographs, memories, funds, and time. Your generosity supports our mission and makes discoveries like this possible.

You never know what history might be waiting inside an old book! 📖

10/25/2026

Something looks a little different here… ❄️👀

This beautiful postcard shows Crown Point covered in a thick blanket of fresh snow. It’s a beautiful view, but I keep looking at it and thinking, “Where’s Vista House?” It’s strange seeing that spot without it! 😂

The image on this beautiful postcard is credited to Portland artist and gallery owner Frank I. Jones, who captured this winter scene before Vista House was completed. Look at the snowy trees, the Columbia below, and that empty circle where one of Oregon’s most recognizable buildings would soon stand.

Crown Point was also known as Thor’s Heights or Thor’s Crown. By the time of this image, it already had its impressive viaduct, built in 1914 as part of the Columbia River Highway. That curved sidewalk was supported by concrete columns along the cliff, giving visitors a place to take in the view while limiting how much rock had to be cut away. Quite a bit of work went into making that scenic stop possible!

The highway would be formally dedicated in 1916. Imagine getting to experience it when all of this was new. You’d probably have wanted to send someone a postcard, too!

Want to see more? The Barn Exhibit Hall, one of our three museums, is home to our permanent King of Roads Exhibit, which tells the story of the Historic Columbia River Highway through photographs, artifacts, and the people who helped make it possible. We also feature rotating exhibits, so there’s more to explore while you’re here!

Free admission for ALL Multnomah County residents, active/retired military, EBT/SNAP recipients, and kids under 18!

Come visit us Thursday through Sunday, noon–3 p.m.

Our last open day before our exhibit changeover is December 11, 2026. We’ll be closed while we get the new exhibits ready and reopen January 1, 2027!

Does anyone else keep trying to picture Vista House in that empty spot? 😂

10/24/2026

🎃 Pumpkins, prizes, and a little history, what a wonderful day in Wood Village!

A huge THANK YOU to the City of Wood Village, OR for inviting the Troutdale Historical Society to today’s 11th Annual Pumpkin Patch Festival! We were honored to join this amazing community celebration. Kids and adults tested their knowledge with history trivia, and we handed out candy, toys, and plenty of information about THS. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! 🍬🧡

And the fun doesn’t end with pumpkins… we have exciting news! 🌱

This coming spring/summer, THS will install a permanent outdoor exhibit in partnership with the City of Wood Village, sharing the stories and celebrating the agricultural history that helped this community grow.

We’re also developing a program exploring Wood Village’s remarkable history, from its early farming roots with George and Sarah Ren Shaw, to the Arata family and their spectacular glass, to the community’s important role during World War II. There are so many stories to share, and we can’t wait to bring them to you!

A beautiful city with a beautiful story, and we’re proud to help tell it. 💚

Thank you, Wood Village, for welcoming us today. We’ll see you next year for the 12th Annual Pumpkin Festival! 🎃

P.S. Yes that is our Director, Chris Garza, wearing a corn cob on his head 🌽 He gave extra prizes to those that could guess his costume. He was a "Uni-Corn" 🦄 😬😅

10/15/2026

Happy 35th anniversary to McMenamins’ Power Station at Edgefield!

When the historic Edgefield properties faced the wrecking ball, Troutdale Historical Society was proud to help stand up and fight for their future. THS and McMenamins have been saving history together for nearly 40 years, and we’re grateful that this remarkable place became a gathering spot instead of a very large pile of “remember when?”

The Power Station opened October 17, 1991, giving the old Multnomah County Poor Farm’s mechanical room and laundry a fresh start. After years of keeping the place warm and the laundry moving, it found a new calling: pints, popcorn, movies, meetings, and some very cozy guest rooms.

The original brochure promised hardwood floors, shared baths, and no phones or televisions. A stay where you had to relax, enjoy the quiet, and talk to the people you came with. Revolutionary!

McMenamins Edgefield, thank you for being such amazing custodians of history and historic properties and reminding people why history matters! Here’s to 35 years of the Power Station, and many more years of keeping Edgefield’s stories, buildings, and tots alive!

10/07/2026

It's almost time 🧶🧶🧶 Yarn at the Barn begins at 10 am and goes until Noon. Todays theme is Halloween 👻🎃 Come join us for our monthly FREE fiber arts program at the Barn Exhibit Hall Museum in Troutdale. Free admission, free snacks, refreshments, and coffee, free materials, and learn from some of the best crocheters in the business. All of this and local Troutdale history!!! Open to ages 14+, bring a project you've been working on, or begin a new one. Free parking available at the Barn Exhibit Hall Museum lot or next door at the Harlow House parking lot. No experience necessary, just plan on having fun.

732 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060 - 503-661-2164

09/22/2026

🏛️ THS Board Member Trek 2026!

Today, THS hit the road for our annual Board Member Trek, and what a day of history it was!

Our first stop was the Robert M. Richmond Memorial Library & Museum in Forest Grove, where Oregon State Grand Historian Johnny Edwards gave us a fantastic tour. Johnny shared fascinating stories from 175 years of Freemasonry in Oregon while guiding us through the library and museum, including an incredible collection of Masonic artifacts and an exhibit featuring historic Masonic aprons dating from the late 1700s through the mid-1800s.

Then it was next door to McMenamins Grand Lodge for lunch, plenty of laughs, and a little more Masonic history from THS Executive Director Chris Garza!

After lunch, head of McMenamins Tours and historian Caitlin Popps led us through the Grand Lodge, Children's Cottage, and grounds, sharing the property's history as a home for aging Masons and Eastern Star members, as well as the story of the Children's Cottage.

Of course, THS and McMenamins share some history of our own! Sharon Nesbit and THS spent many years fighting to save the historic Edgefield property and its nine buildings from demolition. Once they were saved, Mike and Brian McMenamin purchased the property along with the enormous task of bringing the property back to life. This established Edgefield as the flagship location and the rest, as they say, is history!

These trips are one small way we can thank our Board Members for the countless volunteer hours they give THS.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our wonderful hosts for a history-filled day! ❤️🏛️

09/19/2026

🚌🏡🎉 AND WE’RE OFF!!!

THS Trek 2026 is officially en route to Champoeg! 🎉

We’ve loaded up the bus and are heading out for a full day of fun, exploration, and, most importantly... HISTORY! 📚

Our adventure begins with a special private tour of the Newell Pioneer Village & Museums, courtesy of the Oregon State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (OSSDAR), which owns, operates, and maintains this incredible historic site.

After our tour, we’ll break for lunch before joining the annual Champoeg Village Faire for an afternoon of heritage activities, pioneer skills, games, demonstrations, and more!

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a THS Trek without plenty of fun along the way! We’ve got trivia, games, snacks, laughs, and FREE door prizes to keep everyone entertained aboard the bus. 🎟️🎁

A HUGE thank you to everyone joining us today and supporting the Troutdale Historical Society. Every ticket purchased helps us continue our mission to preserve, record, and share Troutdale’s history while keeping programs and adventures like the THS Trek accessible to our community.

👀 Keep your eyes open for announcements about THS Trek 2027! Where will history take us next year?

And be sure to read all about today’s adventure in the upcoming October–December 2026 issue of the ByGone Times Newsletter!

Champoeg, here we come! 🚌💨🏡📜

09/17/2026

It’s a Great Day When Someone Walks in With Troutdale History!

Today, Thomas Rathman did just that. Thomas generously donated a wonderful collection of items from his younger years, including memorabilia from his time with Troutdale Boy Scouts of America Troop #174, the Order of the Arrow, and Reynolds High School, including his letterman items and patches. Also among the family treasures were a Purple Heart and Silver Star belonging to his uncle.

We are incredibly grateful to Thomas for entrusting these pieces to the Troutdale Historical Society. Artifacts like these are important because they help us tell the stories of the people who lived here, attended our schools, joined local organizations, served their country, and helped shape our community.

And we want to share those stories!

The Mershon Legacy Wing at the Barn Exhibit Hall will now feature two new rotating exhibits every year. Over the next two years, we’ll also expand rotating exhibits at the Depot Rail Museum and Harlow House Museum. Upcoming Barn exhibits will explore Troutdale’s Japanese culture, aviation history, agricultural history, local artists and their works, Troutdale schools, geology, and much more!

Troutdale is a small city with a HUGE story! Our job isn’t simply to collect and protect its history, but to make sure it is shared with future generations.

You can help! Old photographs, uniforms, letters, school memorabilia, business items, family documents, signs, postcards, and everyday objects can tell remarkable stories. If you have something connected to Troutdale, we would love to see it!

And remember, Multnomah County residents receive FREE admission to all three THS museums!

Thank you, Thomas, for helping us preserve and share Troutdale’s story! ❤

07/22/2026

And still the undefeated, most Gorge-ous Highway in America ❤️

Address

732 E. Historic Columbia River Highway
Troutdale, OR
97060

Opening Hours

Thursday	12pm - 3pm
Friday	12pm - 3pm
Saturday	12pm - 3pm
Sunday	12pm - 3pm

Telephone

(503) 661-2164

Website

http://troutdalehistory.org/

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