Which neighborhood (pictured in the background here) was also called New Town?
Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out more!
This summer is flying by! Between our walking tours, upcoming programs, and the Collector Car & Classic Boat Show, we've been staying busy here at the Heritage House. Maybe you even saw a group of us walking in the Fourth of July parade and waved hello!
I'm particularly excited about the enthusiasm around our walking tours of Old Town and First Addition. So far, we've sold out three out of four dates, with the fourth expected to sell out too. On our last walking tour, we even stopped by a lemonade stand for some nice refreshments from a young entrepreneur. As we walked through the neighborhoods and shared stories of local history, we were walking the paths of so many people before us. What a great way to spend a Saturday!
If you'd like to support our work, consider attending one of these events (or another of our programs). Your presence goes a long way in supporting our work and allows us to host programs like these.
Kathryn Sinor Executive Director
HELP US MAKE THIS YEAR'S SHOW A SUCCESS!
The Collector Car & Classic Boat Show has been going on for over 25 years, run almost entirely by volunteers. This annual fundraiser provides 20% of our annual budget, allowing us to continue making sure our museum is free, our programs are accessible, and that we can offer new historical research on local history. We need your help to continue making it a success!
The show is on Sunday, August 30th, from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Volunteers will be given day-of training and a free t-shirt.
WITH OUR LAST OLD TOWN WALKING TOUR SOLD OUT, GET TICKETS TO OUR LAST FIRST ADDITION WALKING TOUR BEFORE THEY'RE GONE TOO!
Join us for a walking tour through historic First Addition, Lake Oswego! A docent will lead you through the neighborhood, sharing stories of the "original" incorporated city of Oswego. From community life to shopping to the residents who made these houses their home, you'll uncover the history right before your eyes. Houses, buildings, and everything in between!
The First Addition walking tour covers 1.1 miles of even terrain and lasts about an hour.
We recently acquired film reels, Kodak slides, and photography equipment from the 1930s - 1960s from a local family! These photographs capture a family living in Lake Oswego during the era, and we're excited to uncover the content of the film reels, which have been kept in excellent shape.
Along with the photography, we were also given several artifacts from the family's property, which date back to the iron industry. You'll likely see them on display soon!
Have something of Lake Oswego history you're interested in donating? Feel free to give us a call at (503) 635-6373 or drop by!
Did you figure out which neighborhood (pictured in the background here) was also called New Town?
FIRST ADDITION
You can spot First Addition on the other side of the water in this image. If you look really closely, you can even see the top of the Catholic Church peeking through the trees. This photograph is likely c. 1900.
AND OUR PIONEER & HERITAGE LEVEL SPONSORS:
Lincolneers: Adventure in Yesteryear
Wilco
Glenn & Donna Lowe
Andrew Ragen
What had people marching down A Avenue (with the Heritage House in the background) in 1962?
Thank you to all those who took the time to fill out our membership survey! We had lots of responses, which gives us a better idea of how our membership has changed over the past three years.
One thing that stood out to me is how many people have heard about our organization from someone they knew. At a time of social media, it's humbling to see the power of word-of-mouth! So the next time you attend an event at the Oswego Heritage House, bring someone who has never visited before. Share a little bit of local history with those you care about. They might just end up caring a lot too!
Lastly, a special shout-out to Paul, who won our goodies package of Oswego Heritage Council swag. We hope he enjoys!
We've got a great group joining us in the parade, and there's still time for you to join!
We'll have groups of people dressed in historical clothing, tossing candy, and holding signs promoting both our Collector Car & Boat Show and the Heritage House in particular. If you'd still like to join us, reply to this newsletter and meet us at the Heritage House on Saturday at 8:00 AM for the parade!
JOIN US FOR TOURS OF OLD TOWN AND FIRST ADDITION THROUGH THE SUMMER!
Join us for a walking tour through historic Old Town, Lake Oswego! A docent will lead you through the neighborhood, sharing stories of the burgeoning Oswego. From community life to industry to the residents who made these houses their home, you'll uncover the history right before your eyes. Houses, streets, and everything in between!
These walks cover between 1.00 mile and 1.41 miles of even terrain and last about an hour.
NOW OPEN!
From quilts that tell the story of Lake Oswego to quilts that contain history themselves, come discover the power of stitchwork. We will have five quilts on display, most from the Oswego Quilters. One special quilt is on loan to us from the Lake Oswego School District and was created by Miss Barbara Wost's 5th grade class at Lakewood School for the bi-centennial. Just in time for this year's 250th anniversary of the United States!
This exhibit will be on display through September.
This survey has been created by one of our interns, Walter McNaughton, who is looking to understand what people in the community, as well as visitors of the Heritage House, associate with the City of Lake Oswego. All questions are optional, and no identifying information will be collected. This information will be used to decide features of an art piece which represents Oswego and its history.
Walter put together our walking tour scripts, so let's help him out and answer!
Did you figure out what had people marching down A Avenue (with the Heritage House in the background) in 1962?
FOURTH OF JULY!
We have photographs of Oswego Fourth of July parades over the past 100 years, and this one captures the procession down A Avenue. It might look pre-1962 because of the cars, but it was taken only a few decades ago!
Where was Oswego's first public library?
Hint: This was before the public library's current location!
Did you know that, if you become a Lifetime Member, you get a brick with your name on it? We recently had three new bricks engraved on our front courtyard. For one family, that meant they had generations represented at the Heritage House. They can come back for as long as we're here and find their family's names preserved in brick, beside other people who cared about local history.
A Lifetime Membership also includes all other member benefits, but if that doesn't sound like the right fit for you, remember we have different tiers of membership options, including a free Community Level membership available to students, educators, and individuals receiving food assistance.
A membership is a great gift for summer birthdays! Especially with our upcoming walking tours, a membership to the Heritage House comes with discounted tickets, priority access, and special events. Doesn't that sound fun?!
SPEAKING OF MEMBERSHIPS...
MEMBER SURVEY EXTENDED TO JUNE 12TH
It's been a while since we've heard from you!
In an effort to continually improve our membership program, we have developed a few questions to ask you as current or lapsed members. Please answer honestly and to the best of your ability. The survey should take ~10 minutes.
To show our appreciation to the time you have given to provide feedback, you will have the chance to win some Oswego Heritage Council swag and a $20 gift card to a local restaurant.
The survey will close on Friday, June 5th Friday, June 12th.
FROM THE DURHAM COLLECTION...
Featured from the Durham Family Collection is an 1805 family Bible. In many families, it was one of the most important possessions in the household. Many Bibles included blank pages specifically for recording family events. Before widespread civil registration, these records could be the only official documentation of a family’s history.
Large, finely bound family Bibles like this one suggest it was intended to be a treasured volume to be passed down through generations. In early 19th century America, the Bible was commonly one of the few books a household owned. Families often used the Bible for daily devotions, reading scripture, teaching children to read, and religious and moral instruction.
Today, the Durham Family Bible is preserved within an archival protective box, ensuring that future generations, including of the Durhams, can study and appreciate some of the most cherished pieces of family and community history. In fact, descendants of the family recently came into the Heritage House to see this treasure for themselves!
It is very important for museums and archives to have a collections policy, so people can understand how and why we collect things. Through this policy, the Oswego Heritage Council ensures that:
We are so thrilled to share our newly approved collections policy! If you have questions about how we keep things, this will have answers. All of this is with the direct goal of making our archives easier to use and more accessible to the public!
MEMBER OPPORTUNITY
Fourth of July parade in Oswego, 1921
We're looking for people to march with the Heritage House during the Fourth of July parade! With the 250th anniversary of the United States, it's a great time to show some pride in local history too. We'll be parading with a vintage car and antique wooden boat, but we want to highlight different eras of Lake Oswego history, and we need your help to do it! Join us, dress up in historical clothing, and walk (or ride!) with us.
OPENING LATER THIS MONTH IS AN EXHIBIT ON QUILTS!
Using quilts from the Oswego Quilters and other community groups, explore history through these amazing textiles. More information will be coming soon, so keep an eye out on your inbox to learn more!
CITY HALL!
While there was a Free Library Reading Room started by local Oswego women in 1895 located on the southwest corner of A Avenue and State Street (in one of the first brick structures in Oswego), the Oswego Library Association officially formed in 1924. The association accepted over 600 volumes from Dora Espy Wilson (a local suffragist married to an early Oswego mayor) but did not have a location.
The city of Oswego formally established a free public library, known as the Oswego Public Library, in 1938. Lucia Bliss was the first City Librarian, and the library was held at City Hall. The building on 4th Street and D Avenue would be constructed in 1962.
When was the wooden dam for Oswego Lake replaced by a concrete dam that allowed the levels of the lake to be controlled?
The wooden dam (pictured here) presented unique problems during weather events. Several times, the dam was severely damaged during a flood. There were many dams throughout Oswego's history, placed along different locations, although this one was the major dam connecting the lake to the creek.
We're open on Saturdays now! This has been a big dream for a while now. I can't tell you the number of times I've heard something along the phrase of, "We'd love to come visit, but we aren't able to because of your hours!" Now, we'll be open on Saturdays from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, which means more families, working people, and youths will be able to visit and discover Lake Oswego history.
This is only possible because of our museum docent program. Eleven people signed up to our training and have prepared to come in Saturdays throughout the summer. After summer, we'll be able to take a look at how many people came through Saturdays and adapt our new program from there. THANK YOU to those who have volunteered!
If you've been looking for an excuse to visit the Heritage House, here it is! Drop by on a Saturday, meet our new docents, and learn something new. We'll be having some special events upcoming that are worth visiting for.
MORE PHOTOS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!!
The last photographs we set out for people to take were snatched up quickly, but if you weren't able to come by, don't worry! There's another chance! We've just set-out a bunch of new or duplicate photographs for the taking... and yes, they're STILL FREE.
Stop by the Heritage House during open hours (M, W, Th, Fri from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM; Sat from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM) to grab some FREE PHOTO PRINTS! These are all historic images of Oswego! The originals are kept in our collection, but we're clearing out space so take as many of the prints as you'd like FOR FREE.
The survey will close on Friday, June 5th.
FROM THE VOSE COLLECTION...
If you think classrooms today are much different than classrooms in 1939, check out this handwritten note offered to Miss Vose, a teacher at the Oswego Public School, from a concerned parent.
Dated December 20, 1939, the first letter is addressed to Miss Vose, a teacher. The writer identified at the end as Mrs. Gertrude E. Stevens, expresses concern about “the trouble” involving students—specifically mentioning twins and a boy named Clifford. Mrs. Stevens refers to “some foul language supposed to be used by one of the twins” and makes clear that such behavior is not tolerated at home: “We never allow any nasty talk in our conversation or allow the children to use it.”
Mrs. Stevens goes on to suggest separating the twins from Clifford, whom she describes as someone who “does nothing but fight and pick quarrels.” Whether this is entirely fair or parental bias is hard to say, but it's certainly a conversation still familiar to teachers today!
OIN US ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 6TH, AT 5:30 PM FOR OUR LAST PRESENTATION OF THE SEASON
When we look at historic houses, the first thing we see is often the spacious front porch. It seems that every house built between 1890 and 1930 had a porch! This was an era when front porches were expected on houses, and when those porches were used. What was our culture like in those “good old days”? And... What did people do on their porches? This was an era when front porches were expected on houses, and when those porches were used. What was our culture like in those “good old days”?
Kay Demlow, dressmaker, fashion historian, and creator of The 1909 School, will share stories from porches long ago, and will spark ideas for spending time on your porch.
Join us for a special Mother's Day tea on May 9th at 1:00 PM at the Heritage House! There will be tea and treats to enjoy at your own leisure. This event is free and open to the public. Grab a cup and settle into local history.
This event is free and open for the public. RSVP is recommended, but not required.
Gotta have chocolate?
Then you're one of us! Indulge in a chocolatey daze of delectable sweetness when you discover everything there is to know about the smooth, satisfying richness that is irresistible chocolate!
Join Denise Puleo, a Nutritional Health Coach from Natural Grocers, for this delicious workshop! This event is open for the public. RSVP is recommended, but not required.
1921!
While people like Albert Durham, JC Trullinger, and Socrates Tryon operated dams in the 19th century, the first wooden dam built by an iron company was in 1860, with a higher dam completed in 1866. This, combined with the new canal in 1872, increased the length of the lake.
In 1921, the first concrete dam, built by the Puget Sound Dredging Company, allowed for the levels of Oswego Lake to be controlled.
In 1893, what kind of fish did the state of Oregon begin stocking in Oswego Lake?
Fishing has long been apart of Lake Oswego history! In fact, you may know that the original settler name for the lake was "Sucker Lake." This wasn't because of foolish people but rather an abundant fish in the lake: suckerfish.
BONUS QUESTION: Do you know the most common species of suckers in our area?
We've had a busy, busy month! With a new donation from the descendents of the Shipley family, we've been going through hundreds of photographs, letters, and more! These items entwine with Lake Oswego history in exciting ways, and there will be far more to see. We've spotlighted a few items in the "From the Archives" bit below.
But there's a reason we've been reaching out to people and organizations about photographs (and are incredibly grateful to those who have helped with this)! This year, we're working on a major project in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States—a new pictorial history book of Lake Oswego. We've had volunteers pouring over the thousands of images and ephemera in our collection and collections elsewhere in Lake Oswego.
This book will tell the story of our community, largely through images, in an elevated "coffee table" style. It's the kind of publication we haven't put out in over 20 years, and our members will get the first sneak peak at it in the coming months.
Not a member but interested in joining? Learn more by clicking on the button below!
WE STILL HAVE HISTORIC PRINTS LEFT! (Including some new smaller prints)
Do you love our historic photographs? Wish you had some of your own to decorate your home or business? Well, we've got you!!!
Stop by the Heritage House during open hours (M, W, Th, Fri from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM) to grab some FREE PHOTO PRINTS! These are all historic images of Oswego! The originals are kept in our collection, but we're clearing out space so take as many of the prints as you'd like FOR FREE.
These will be available until April 2nd.
CARS! BOATS! MOTORCYCLES! BICYCLES! Our show is growing, and you can be part of it. Join us on Sunday, August 30th, as a sponsor of this long-standing community event!
Sponsorship levels range from $150 to $3,000 and include all sorts of benefits, including:
All proceeds from this event go towards helping Oswego Heritage Council fulfill its mission of preserving and promoting local history.
FROM OUR NEW DONATION...
In September 1945, Lt. Kenneth Shipley mailed this airmail letter to his wife and newborn son in Oswego, Oregon. After speaking to the family, our guess is that he had yet to meet his new son, as he gets the baby's name wrong on the envelope. The stamp and the fleet post office return address place him somewhere in the Pacific, written during wartime restrictions that shaped every letter he sent home.
Nonetheless, Shipley wrote to his infant son with humor, tenderness, and the everyday parenting that continued even from half a world away:
“What’s this about bumping your head against the crib? Don’t you know that will worry your mother and worry will cause her to be unhappy. Just tease her a little, for I know how she likes that extra hours sleep. You be a good boy or else she won’t let me take you hunting with me. From now on wake up early, its good for you, then cheerily say “ good morning mother”, and if she just grunts in response, well then amuse yourself until she wakes up.”
Shipley’s letter to family reveals a man trying to stay present in his family’s life through words alone, carrying the rhythms of home with him as the war slowly drew to a close. His letter imagines the small dramas of home—early mornings, a mother stretched thin—while trying to guide a child he can’t yet hold.
Among the letters sent home were photographs of men Shipley served with, including notes on each. On the back of one photo, Shipley writes about Malone and Sworfact, two “good workers” and promising ballplayers. He notes Malone’s three singles and jokes about his build.
Even during wartime, baseball remained a thread of normalcy. Recreation was essential aboard ships and bases. Baseball leagues were common, giving servicemen a sense of routine and camaraderie.
One of the most common questions we get in the archives is about historic property research. We know how overwhelming this process can be! Many of these records are scattered, and it can be difficult to know where to turn. There are steps you can take to gather information and uncover some of the details before approaching the Oswego Heritage Council.
To help get you started, we've compiled a list of resources for collecting records (both digital and in person) and finding out who lived in the house. This webpage will be updated regularly as we compile new resources and better organize information.
Interested in being a museum docent? Want to volunteer to help the Oswego Heritage House open for additional hours?
Come to our DOCENT TRAINING on Saturday, April 4th, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. You'll discover behind-the-scenes of our new exhibit, learn how to guide guests, and get an understanding of the logistics it takes to be a museum docent.
JOIN US ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1ST, AT 5:30 PM FOR THE LAKE OSWEGO READS TOPIC
Earthquakes are not really common in the Pacific Northwest, but when they happen, they can be very large and very destructive. Dr. Burns will talk about how the geology of the Pacific Northwest is exciting and also sometimes dangerous to humans. One of those dangers are the subduction earthquakes which can be very destructive. How do we prepare for them?
Scott Burns is a professor emeritus of engineering geology and past-chair of the Department of Geology at Portland State University (PSU). Over more than 50 years of teaching, Scott has received teaching awards from numerous universities. He specializes in environmental and engineering geology, geomorphology, soils, and quaternary geology, and is a frequent speaker on landslides, earthquakes, floods, volcanoes, radon, and tsunamis, the National Parks, and the relationship between soils, climate, grapes, and wine. Scott is a sixth-generation Oregonian who grew up in Beaverton and actively helps local TV, radio stations, and newspapers bring important geological news to the public.
INTERESTED IN THIS SEASON'S CHAUTAUQUA LINE-UP?
April 1st: Living on Cascadia: Are We Ready for the Big One? by Professor Scott Burns
May 6th: Porch Time: Home Life and Leisure in the Early 20th Century by Kay Demlow
Did you guess what kind of fish the state of Oregon began stocking in Oswego Lake in 1893?
TROUT, SALMON, STEELHEAD, BASS, AND CATFISH
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SUCKERS?
Suckers aren't referring to any of these fish. They aren't even referring to lamprey eels. Instead, the most common species of suckers in our area is the Largescale Sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus), which can grow up to 24 inches long and live as long as 15 years.
And if you're wondering if they still exist here, Lake Oswego historian Susanna Kuo got confirmation of that fact just the other day. The bottom feeding fish spawned early this year and could be found at the mouth of Oswego Creek.
Thanks to Susanna Kuo for providing some important details and images of our wonderfully misunderstood suckers!
Which future American president saved the lives of Waters Carman and two other young men in 1831?
After his first wife died and his business went bankrupt, Waters Carman left his children with his father and joined the California gold rush in 1849. Without much luck, he moved to Oregon and became a border in the household of Albert Durham, founder of Oswego.
He worked in Durham's lumbermill on Sucker Creek (Oswego Creek) for a short time before marrying widow Lucretia Allyn Gurney and building a house on their donation land claim. This house is still the oldest existing house in Lake Oswego today.
But before he came west, Waters Carman was living in Illinois, which is where this incident took place.
Each year, we present the C. Herald Campbell award to someone (or a group of someones) who exemplify the Oswego Heritage Council's mission to preserve and promote local history. We were excited to present it to Lake Oswego High School's History Bowl Club for the hard work their students have put toward the Heritage House.
The club has done all sorts for us: spread dirt in the garden, decorated and cleaned the house, set-up and tore-down exhibits, transcribed documents, and even acted as ghosts from the archives for our Halloween event.
The award was accepted by co-presidents of the club, Kai Plumbo and Jake Brenden. Kai joined our board a few months ago, so you'll likely see him around! If you do, make sure to congratulate him on the award.
CHECK OUT OUR 2025 ANNUAL REPORT!
Recently, longtime supporter Joe Smith donated this scythe, pictured in the c. 1938 photo of Donald Meyer (son of Clara and Don Meyer, great grandson of Waters Carman) harvesting field grass. The Meyer family was a dairy farming family living at the intersection of Atwater Lane and Atwater Road. Donald Meyer was a good friend of the Tedrow and Smith families until his death in 1997, which is how the scythe came to be in Joe's possession.
Joe wrote, "As I was salvaging some wood from the attic, I saw this wood handle and when I pulled it out, it became a scythe. I suspected it was Donald's Scythe because he was the only person in our neighborhood who ever used one. At minimum it was in the attic 20 years. [...] I know Dad had borrowed it from Donald a couple times in the early 1950s so he was familiar with it. When I compared the scythe with a picture from the Meyer historical picture collection, it was a match. I kept it in my shop for 7 years while I was trying to find a suitable home. When the completion of the new Heritage House Museum created an opportunity, I donated it in January 2026."
If you have historic photographs from Lake Oswego, including its early residents, we'd love to see them! They may be used in an upcoming project. You don't have to gift them to our archives; we'd be happy to scan them and return them to you. Reach out to us by responding to this newsletter, emailing director@oswegoheritage.org, or giving us a call at (503) 635-6373.
ALSO... DO YOU SPEAK GERMAN?
If you speak German and would be willing to help us translate some World War I-era records for research into one of our family collections, we'd be grateful to have your help!!! The story of this family takes us directly to the frontlines of the war, and we're eager to learn more but need German to do so. Reach out to us by responding to this newsletter, emailing director@oswegoheritage.org, or giving us a call at (503) 635-6373.
JOIN US ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4TH, AT 5:30 PM FOR OSWEGO PIONEER CEMETERY: REMEMBERING DEAD STRANGERS
More than just a resting place, the Oswego Pioneer Cemetery serves as an outdoor archive of our community’s heritage. Join us for a look into the cemetery’s 170-year history, ongoing maintenance efforts, and some remarkable life (and death) stories of the people who turned Oswego from just another place into a home.
March 4th: The Oswego Pioneer Cemetery by Courtney Clements and Angie Baker
Join us Tuesday, March 3rd, at the Cultural Center at Historic City Hall for the opening celebration for a brand new, community-curated exhibit!
Hear from exhibitors to describe how their site and story are part of the unique fabric of places and people that make up this region. While not an exhaustive representation of regional history, this installation highlights the richness and diversity of our community. On view at the Community Cultural Center at Historic City Hall in West Linn, this evolving exhibit will return in future years with new voices and new stories. The Oswego Heritage Council is featured as part of this exhibit!
Our opening celebration will be a chance to connect with exhibitors, network with other local history enthusiasts, and share some delicious treats.
When: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Historic City Hall, 22825 Willamette Drive, West Linn, OR
Host: Willamette Falls & Landings Heritage Area Coalition
JOIN US AT THE MUSEUM OF THE OREGON TERRITORY FOR STORIES FROM THE OSWEGO HERITAGE COUNCIL ARCHIVES!
In 2020, a collection of love letters was discovered in the attic of a historic house in Lake Oswego. They revealed the story of a local man freshly back from World War I and the 306 love letters sent to him by multiple young women. Discover the voices of these women, the hardships they faced, and the love they shared, all the way from a Washington logging camp to a Portland hotel to an Oregon schoolhouse in a present-day ghost town. In this lecture by Kathryn Sinor, delve into the lives and perspectives that often get washed away to history, all through the eyes of an Oswego heartbreaker.
Did you figure out which future American president saved the lives of Waters Carman and two other young men in 1831?
One day in the spring of 1831, following 'the Winter of the Deep Snow' while trying to cross a raging stream in a canoe, Waters Carman found himself cold and wet trapped and clinging to a small flimsy tree.
Abraham Lincoln, John Hanks and John Johnson assisted by John Seamon and Waters Carman built the flatboat spoken of in his biography for Denton Offutt. He began in March 1831, just as the deep snow went off. Mr. Roll made the pins for putting the boat together. They made a dug-out canoe to go with the boat as a yawl. John Seaman and Waters Carman got into it to take the first ride. It upset with them and floated away while they took refuge in a tree. Lincoln saved them by swimming to the tree with a log, having a long rope attached.
After getting all on it, those on shore drew it in.
Want to learn more about Waters Carman's life before he came to Oswego? Explore the new biographical information, researched and assembled by OHC Archivist Mark Browne, on our website.
Do you know what building is on the right, near the old City Hall in 1966?
This City Hall was built 100 years ago in 1926 on the corner of A Avenue and 1st Street! Previously, the City Hall had been in a few different locations, such as the Koehler house and Oswego Theater. It would move to one more location in 1987 before opening in 2021 at its current location. To the right, there is a building of equal importance to a city... Can you guess what it is?
Thank you to all those who made our exhibit opening such a wonderful event! After months of hard work, it was amazing to see people walking through our newly renovated space, talking to each other about local history, and connecting it to their own lives. History, especially the history of places you see every day and the people who lived there, can be a powerful force for understanding!
Some of my favorite comments came from people who have lived here for decades and still learned something new. It was also such a wonderful experience to have some of the people highlighted in the new exhibit and/or their families visit! History isn't just the past; it's the now too, and what better way to show that?
If you haven't visited our museum since the renovation, stop by during open hours! Our new timeline display will be our permanent display, but we still plan to have a smaller, rotating exhibit every 6-8 months.
WANT A SNEAK PEAK OF OUR 2025 ANNUAL REPORT BEFORE OUR ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING?
INTERESTED IN THE FULL THING?
You are welcome to join our Annual Member Meeting on Saturday, February 21st, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM! While only our members have voting authority, this meeting is open to the public. We'll review how OHC did in 2025, what we're planning in 2026, and more! Special guest Dr. Jennifer Schiele, superintendent of the Lake Oswego School District, will open the meeting with a brief talk about the school district.
This month, our archives team is highlighting the Wilmot-Carman family. With a recent influx of new items in our collection, including the marriage certificate between Richard B. Wilmot and Mary L. Carman and love letters between the couple, we're able to fill in some of the gaps of the family's history.
This ornate certificate records the wedding of Richard B. Wilmot and Mary L. Carman at the Carman residence on April 19, 1874, witnessed by friends and neighbors.
Among the Wilmot-Carman letters is a handwritten love letter, by Mary L. Carman to Richard B. Wilmot, dated November 7th, 1876, written in warm, flowing ink. In it, Mary shares the rhythms of home life—returning from her work at the Springbrook School, washday chores, and making mince pie—while confessing, “Words cannot express how very much pleased I was when, on my arrival at home last Friday evening, I found your dear letter waiting for me.”
JOIN US ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH, AT 5:30 PM FOR MEMORY, HISTORY, AND THE ENDURING POWER OF PLACE
Dede Montgomery is a sixth-generation Oregonian and long-time West Linn resident. She is a thoughtful and introspective author whose work weaves personal narrative, historical reflection, literary fiction, and social awareness into the books and blogs she publishes.
In this talk, Dede will share stories from her books, photographs, and family archives, weaving together her deep personal and historical ties to Wilsonville and Lake Oswego, the Willamette River, and the broader Willamette Valley. Join her on this journey through memory, history, and the enduring power of place and story.
February 4th: Memory, History, and the Enduring Power of Place by author Dede Montgomery
Do you figure out what building is on the right, near the old City Hall in 1966?
THE LAKE OSWEGO FIRE STATION!
Here is a closer look at the building. The sign reads "Police & Fire Dept." Did you know we actually have a Fire Department collection in our archives? 39 boxes of photographs, directories, reports, and more!
Can you guess what company issued these company dollars in 1883?
Thank you for helping us meet our goal!! We will release our annual report for 2025 soon, but I wanted to thank you all for helping us with our fundraising goal for the year. We had several major projects with high pricetags, including our museum renovation, and we are so thrilled with the support to make it happen. We couldn't have done it without you all, and with our museum set to reopen on January 16th, we couldn't think of a better way to begin the new year!
We really hope you'll join us for the opening, and if you can't, please stop by soon to check out what's been done.
This year, there will be a huge emphasis on history as 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. We want to celebrate local history, highlighting the variety of stories that make-up our community. Keep your eye out for more news about our special projects commemorating this important anniversary!
DISCOVER THE MUSEUM LIKE NEVER BEFORE!
After months of renovation and hard work, the Heritage House museum is reopening on Friday, January 16th! Light food and refreshments from Nicoletta's Table will be served.
The Heritage Museum has gone through a makeover! After our last exhibit, we saw an opportunity to rethink the museum. Museum staff and volunteers took most of 2025 to compile a timeline of Lake Oswego history from 15,000 years ago to today. This extensive timeline will be our new permanent display. Featuring stories of local people, incredible photographs that tell the history of the community, and interactive elements to get your hands on history, our new display will have something for everyone -- whether you've just moved to the city or if you've lived here your whole life.
6:00 PM: For members and people who donated 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Open to the public
"I have seen a man from Oregon, who was acquainted with Watts, Durham and Armstrong. He says it is a mistake that Durham and Armstrong are dead." -October 20, 1849
Archivist Mark Browne has been researching a series of letters Waters Carman sent to a newspaper in Illinois. These letters give new insight into one of the early settlers of Oswego, whose family left a lasting legacy in the community. A few interesting tidbits:
MORE TO COME SOON!
Did you guess what company issued these company dollars in 1883?
THE OREGON IRON & STEEL COMPANY
With the Oregon Iron & Steel Company owned thousands of acres of land and employing a huge portion of the population in Oswego, it is no doubt that Oswego was a company town. Nothing demonstrates that more than this, issued by the company for merchandise in the company-owned store. This item is located in the Davidson Collection, which you can explore below.
What neighborhood is featured here in this historic photograph from c. 1920s?
Dear friends,
Your support through membership at the Oswego Heritage Council has been critical for our work this past year! Because of you, we were able to complete these major projects:
Our ambitious plans for 2026 include several exciting initiatives, which we anticipate will cost approximately $17,000 to complete:
Our ability to undertake these projects depends 100% on charitable donations from friends such as you, who understand the vital importance of our local history.
Please consider the impact of our work on the quality of life in our community, and make the most generous contribution possible for our work to grow in the New Year.
AND THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED SO FAR!
After months of renovation and hard work, the Heritage House museum is reopening on Friday, January 16th! You'll see our new permanent display on Lake Oswego history, from 15,000 years ago to today. Light food and refreshments will be served.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: For members and people who donated 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Open to the public
A few months ago, we acquired a bound series of letters from early Oswego mayor A. King Wilson to his wife, Dora Espy Wilson. The bound letters come from King Wilson's 1902 trip east. He traveled by rail across the United States and documented his travel experiences, business reflections, family matters, and social observations of early 20th century America.
He served as the fourth mayor of Oswego from 1914 until his death in 1918. His wife, Dora, was a member of the Oswego Women's Club and an early suffragist.
Get to know King Wilson through the transcribed letters and research annotations by OHC Archivist Mark Browne.
SPEAKING OF A. KING WILSON...
WELCOME TO THE WILSONIA TRAIN STATION!
Named after A. King Wilson, this small train station existed in northern Oswego. King and his wife, suffragist Dora Espy Wilson, moved to Oswego around 1905. He was elected mayor in 1914 and passed away in the early months of his second term.
We would like to recognize one of our amazing volunteers, Caroline Glad. She and her mother (pictured above) planted a new tree in our heritage garden, this one for someone special: Caroline's father. Earlier this year, we had to remove one of our long-standing trees which died, and we had been looking to replace it for a number of months. We are honored to watch this tree grow in honor of a family which has given the Heritage House so much!
Did you figure out what neighborhood is featured here in this historic photograph from c. 1920s?
Here's a hint: the NOW version of this photograph, taken just a few weeks ago!
This photograph was taken on the corner of C Avenue and Fifth Street in FIRST ADDITION, Lake Oswego! Can you find what's stayed the same in the 100 year difference between these photographs?
CLICK HERE TO RENEW, JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TODAY!
What structure, used by the Bickner family c. 1906, is pictured here on Oswego Lake?
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
We were so lucky to host cemetery walking tours at the Oswego Pioneer Cemetery last weekend. Despite heavy rains the day before, our two tours had good weather and good attendance! (We actually SOLD OUT both tours extremely quickly.) From the oldest gravestone onsite to Civil War veterans to the first mayor of Oswego to so many more, visiting the cemetery provides a great and unique chance to come close to Lake Oswego history.
We hope to host more of these when the weather's a little better, focused on specific themes!
RENOVATION UPDATE!
If you've ever done a renovation project in your home, you know that, in trying to do one thing, you end up doing ten others to make it happen. We have new flooring in the museum space, painted walls, and our new permanent exhibit in its final stages of production. What started as a small overhaul has turned into a big one, and since we want to make sure we're doing this right, it's taking a little longer than expected!
But the museum will open again to the public soon! Members, those who donated to the project, and special guests will be invited to a private opening. Details coming soon!!
THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED SO FAR!
As you can see, we're doing a lot of work to both return the historic character to the Heritage House and to create a permanent exhibit that is engaging, interesting, and will last a long time (while also continuing our tradition of a smaller, rotating exhibit every 6-8 months). These projects have been made possible because of contributions from community members like you!
We have moved forward with these projects thanks to grant funding, donations, and our fundraising events, but our goal is to have more of the final cost covered! There is still time to make that happen. Please consider a small donation, which will go towards the renovations. Those who donate will be invited to a private opening of the new exhibit. All donations are tax deductible.
JOIN US FOR A MARKET OF HOLIDAY CHEER ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3RD!
Vendors will be throughout the house with local-made goods available for purchase. Santa Claus will also be visiting from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM for photos, with food donations accepted for the Lake Oswego Food Pantry!
Art by Queen of Hearts Atelier Carman Rusca Art Collett Woodwork Crown Miniatures Donald Guenther Wood Turned Bowls Granny Fi's Shortbread Ha Austin Ceramics The Hand that Rocks the Cribbage Board Joie de Weave Karen Harris Accessories Laila Dutta Studio Liz Peterson Metalartist M. Alexis Bomarito Fine Art Papercrafts Nana's Choice Goat Milk Products Paul Bartos Ornaments Snazzy Swags Wigglewyrm Workshop
November 5th (AT THE SPRINGS): Power, Politics, and Public Access: The Contested History of Oswego Lake by Dr. Stephen Beckham
December 3rd: Holiday Marketplace
April 1st: LO Reads Topic
Were you able to figure out what structure, used by the Bickner family c. 1906, is pictured here on Oswego Lake?
You may recognize it, as there are many on the lake today! This is the Bickner boathouse, photograph taken by William Bickner c. 1906.
The Bickner family moved to Oswego in 1894 and purchased the Henry Gans general merchandise store in South Town. This photograph of the family below, taken c. 1896, shows them in the back of their home in South Oswego (on McVey & Erickson St.). They would move to First Addition in 1902 and open a new grocery store on Front Street. Eventually, their store would be bought by Safeway.
William Bickner (in the back row, second from the left) took an amazing series of photographs at the beginning of the 20th century that capture life in Oswego with amazing clarity.
Oswego Heritage House and Museum398 10th St.Lake Oswego, OR 97034(503) 635-6373
Hours of Operation:M, W, Th, Fri 10:00 AM-3:00 PMSat 11:00 AM-2:00 PMFree entrance
Copyright © 2026, Oswego Heritage Council. All rights reserved.
