Do you know what building is on the right, near the old City Hall in 1966?
Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out more!
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.
Kathryn Sinor Executive Director
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.”
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.
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.
INTERESTED IN THIS SEASON'S CHAUTAUQUA LINE-UP?
February 4th: Memory, History, and the Enduring Power of Place by author Dede Montgomery
March 4th: The Oswego Pioneer Cemetery by Courtney Clements and Angie Baker
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
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.
What was the first Oswego newspaper, beginning in 1891?
If you're wondering how the museum revamp is going: We're getting a new floor! (Sort of.)
When it was built in 1928, the original Ladd Estate Company did not include most of the exhibit room. When Dr. William Cane and his wife purchased the building in the 1940s, he extended this room to make the building into a livable home. The wood flooring, now visible in the photo above, was likely added on during this period.
The building was then purchased by Bill Headlee in the 1990s with the intent to be the Heritage House. This room was once again extended to house our museum. You can see how the wood changes at the end of the room where this extension happened.
When we pulled out the carpet in this room, we weren't sure what to expect! It's exciting to uncover a bit of the evolving architectural history of our building.
The new exhibit (and renovated space) will open again in October! Stay tuned for the specific date.
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! You can 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.
Along with our newly revamped exhibit later this month, come see GLASS LANTERN SLIDES: A 1920S VIEW AROUND THE WORLD.
Throughout his career, Rev. William Wallace Youngson traveled all across the globe, taking extensive photographs of the places and people he saw. He would develop these (along with photographs from National Geographic) into glass lantern slides, some of which were then hand-painted for color, and use them in lectures.
The Oswego Heritage Council possesses 1,255 glass lantern slides once belonging to Rev. Youngson, along with lecture notes. Come discover hand-picked slides from Japan, Alaska, Egypt, Greece, and more!
JOIN US FOR A WALKING TOUR OF THE OSWEGO PIONEER CEMETERY ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25TH!
Come one, come all, to discover those buried at the Oswego Pioneer Cemetery!
History experts will guide you through the cemetery, introducing you to the stories of its permanent residents beneath the soil. You'll hear tales of people who once called Oswego their home, brought to life through knowledgeable interpreters. From grim and grisly ends to fascinating folks to tragic tales, find yourself immersed in early history as you walk through the headstones and get to know this remarkable location.
A Haunting History will feature a guided tour of the Oswego Pioneer Cemetery. There will be two time slots for tours, with limited availability per time slot.
October 1st: The History of the FBI and FBI Portland by Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mari Panovich
The Oswego Iron Worker first published in 1891, with Herbert Gill as the owner and editor. Before the Iron Worker, Oswego had a section in the Oregon City newspaper. The paper only ran for a few years.
What happened in 1910 to propel Jerome Thomas (pictured below) into Lake Oswego History?
Thank you to all those who attended this year's Collector Car & Classic Boat Show! Even with the heat, we had a great attendance and a great show, bringing in over $25,000 for the Oswego Heritage House! As our largest fundraising event of the year, this show funds our free museum exhibits, educational programs, and general operations at the Heritage House, allowing us to bring you history throughout the year.
Speaking of bringing you history...
The main exhibit hall will be closed for the majority of this month. We are busy touching up the place and will be putting together a brand new exhibit all about Lake Oswego history. Our members will get a special preview for the new exhibit in a few weeks, so keep your eye on your email for upcoming details!
HAPPY 60TH REUNION TO THE LAKE OSWEGO HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1965!
The graduating class of 1965 hosted their reunion at the Oswego Heritage House, and we couldn't have been happier! Several of these long-standing community members have served on our Board of Directors or are current members of the museum. They hold onto so many memories of Lake Oswego, including of times when it was just "Oswego"!
Are you interested in getting involved with the Oswego Heritage Council at a deeper level? Do you have passion for connecting people to the local history around them?
Consider joining our BOARD OF DIRECTORS! We're looking for two new members who are excited about preserving and promoting history through educational programs, unique events, outreach, and membership development.
Board members will join one of the following committees:
DID YOU KNOW MEMBERS GET ACCESS TO ONLINE EXHIBITS?
We are incredibly grateful for our members. Without you, we would be unable to continue to important work of preserving, researching, and educating about the history of our area. Outside of support, there are many exciting benefits to being a member of the Oswego Heritage Council, including access to members-only pages on the website.
In order to access these pages, you can login using the icon on our website, above the banner at the top-right of any page. Enter the email address in which you signed up for your membership, and if you have any issues, please contact us at director@oswegoheritage.org.
Did you figure out what happened in 1910 to propel Jerome Thomas (pictured below) into Lake Oswego History?
The City of Oswego, which included just First Addition, was incorporated. Jerome Thomas was elected as Oswego's first mayor that same year! Thirteen years after its incorporation, Old Town and South Town would support annexation and join the City of Oswego.
Preserving Our Past, Enriching Our Future
What was the first sternwheeler to pass through the Oswego Canal in 1873?
Operated by the Kellogg family, this steamer ran several routes, including one across Sucker Lake (now Oswego Lake).
We broke an exciting milestone for the Heritage House: more people have come through the museum so far this year than in total for 2024 OR 2023, when we first started tracking numbers. While we are in the last weeks for our current exhibit, The Story Begins: Through the Eyes of One Vietnamese Refugee, we are extraordinarily grateful for working with the family and the Vietnamese Cultural Arts Alliance to bring new events, new reflection, and a whole new kind of exhibit to the Heritage House.
SO... WHAT COMES NEXT?
We've hinted at it, and more details will be released soon, but we've taken this opportunity to completely redesign our museum. The new permanent exhibit will feature an expansive timeline of Lake Oswego history, along with artifacts and stories on display, some of which will be displayed for the first time. We will continue to have changing exhibits every 6-8 months and continue to use the meeting room as a photo exhibit space. There will also be some changes coming to our parlor.
We hope these changes will breathe new life into our local history. We want to tell the story of how our community has changed, the people who made those changes happen, and how those changes shape our lives in Lake Oswego today.
If you're a member, you'll receive a special invite to this new exhibit in the next few months. Stay tuned!!!
A few weeks ago, an AMAZING thing happened at the Heritage House: by coincidence, two branches of the Carman family (all descended from Waters Carman, one of the earliest pioneers living in the town of Oswego), met each other for the first time!
While discussing family lore and history, the Heritage House was hard at work intaking two tubs to add to our collection! These tubs contained letters, photographs, journals, and a wedding dress from the Carman family, all between the years 1870s-1920s. We will stabilize the many items and make sure they are properly preserved. We're equally as excited to discover the treasures contained within them!
One such example: Lucille Stone, a resident of Oswego, kept "The Girl Graduate," a way to journal her time going to high school in the 1910s. She actually caught the trolley from Oswego to attend the "new" Lincoln High School in Portland.
More stories will come soon, as we process these marvelous additions to our collection!
ARE YOU READY FOR THIS YEAR'S CAR & BOAT SHOW?
Sign-up your vehicle or get a booth for this year's event!
The Collector Car & Classic Boat Show is an annual tradition, celebrating more than 25 years! As one of the largest community events in Lake Oswego, our show is exceptional because it’s not a strictly judged show but rather a fun and unique event for families and enthusiasts. All proceeds from the event go toward the Oswego Heritage Council's mission of preserving and sharing local history.
Featuring...
Many Collector Cars More Motorcycles NEW! - Historic Bicycles 20 Classic Boats and Some Modern Innovation Vendor Booths Food Trucks from Morning 'Til Afternoon
Did you guess that ONWARD was the first sternwheeler to pass through the Oswego Canal?
Operated by the Kellogg family, Onward ran several routes, including one across Sucker Lake (now Oswego Lake). It traveled along the Tualatin River, entering the lake via the freshly completed Oswego Canal, and carried cargo. Once, in 1874, it even transported famous Oregon suffragist Abigail Scott Duniway, who wrote about in her newspaper The New Northwest!
What modern Lake Oswego neighborhood sits atop the Oswego Mine?
This 1893 map was produced by the Oregon Iron & Steel Company.
Summer's a busy time for everyone, but this season is the Heritage House's big fundraising event season! Our two main fundraising events for this year (The Bootlegger's Ball and the Car & Boat Show) are more important than ever, as all proceeds will go towards supporting a few major projects underway:
A few weeks ago, we highlighted that we had acquired a 1902 book of bound letters from Oswego mayor A. King Wilson to his wife. If you visited our last exhibit on voting and civic engagement, you may recognize his wife's name: Dora Espy Wilson, an early suffragist in Oswego who was part of the Oswego Women's Club and worked as Election Chair in 1913 (along with many, many other accomplishments).
King Wilson served as mayor of Oswego from 1915 - 1918, making him one of the first to serve in the role. The Wilsonia train station is named after him. And while the letters themselves have fascinating information about his life and thoughts, they include some truly charming pieces too: a series of photographs from a booth, menus, receipts, and other scraps from his travels that allow us to view a larger world.
Recently, a volunteer transcribed the collection, which is now available to read. Archivist Mark Browne is working on a researched, annotated version to reveal more information about the contents and context for these letters. One of our volunteers is also working on a Storymap to track his journey. Stay tuned for more, but in the meantime, check out the transcribed version!
Come support local history, bring your family, wear your Lake Oswego gear, and join the Heritage House to walk in the Fourth of July parade!
We will be walking with a vehicle and tossing out candy as we parade from Iron Mountain Blvd to Chandler & 10th Street, onto A Avenue, and concluding at 2nd Street & Evergreen Road. If you would like to join us, just respond to this email! You'll be able to park at the Heritage House, and we'll have a Lake Oswego hat you can wear if needed.
LAST DAY TO GET TICKETS
With tickets going fast, get yours before they're gone.
Step back in time to the 1920s, when the music was big and the booze was illegal! There will be live jazz music, light dining, and for those willing to bend the rules, for those who have the secret invite, a burlesque show in our speakeasy soiree. Don your skirts that fall above your ankles, put on your best suits and biggest hats, and be prepared for a night of vices, history, and fun.
The Bootlegger's Ball is a fundraising event for the Oswego Heritage Council and the West Linn Historical Society. Donations will benefit both historical organizations. There will be a silent auction, live jazz band, prohibition-style drinks, the optional speakeasy show which features burlesque professionals, and other opportunities to give.
Dressing up is encouraged, but not required!
The Ne Plus Ultra Jass OrchestraThe Headless Carriage ClubHistorical Burlesque Performers A 1920s One Day Exhibit Behind the Scenes TourAnd more!
Did you figure out what modern Lake Oswego neighborhood sits atop the Oswego Mine?
The top image is an 1893 map of the Oswego Mine produced by Oregon Iron & Steel Co. The bottom image was created by City Surveyor Gerald King and is overlaid atop the same 1893 mine map by the present day Uplands neighborhood.
There's so much history beneath our feet! Discover more maps from our collection and the library's on the Lake Oswego Public Library's digital history portal: http://history.ci.oswego.or.us/
What is this marshy area, c. 1909, now called?
The Oswego City Council passed an ordinance after the area was flooded in 1928 to fine anyone who referred to it by its old name. Stay tuned to the end of the newsletter to find out more!
SPOTLIGHT AROUND TOWN: Discovering local legacy: A visit to the Oswego Heritage House
I hope you're enjoying the peeks of sunshine that have been poking through more and more. At the Heritage House, we've been busy wrapping up some school programs (in May, we taught 76 4th graders local history and, in June, we'll teach 75 2nd graders), preparing for our summer events, updating our permanent exhibit to open in late summer, and getting the garden ready with the help of LO High's History Bowl Club and local garden clubs. In short, we've been busy!
We hope you'll join us for some of the events in summer and fall we've been working on so you can see some of that hard work in action. Our goal this year is to increase the number of people served, the depth of their engagement with local history, and increasing access to the research and artifacts in our collection.
If there are things you'd like to see or are curious about, please feel free to reach out for a chat! We're always excited to hear more about people's experiences of life in Lake Oswego and to incorporate their feedback in the work we do.
One of the most common inquiries we get at the Heritage House is people searching for information about their houses and neighborhoods! With hundreds of maps in our collection, it can be difficult to find exactly what you're looking for, especially since many are too fragile or too large to easily access.
All that has changed! Most of our maps are now available digitally through the Lake Oswego Public Library's Digital History portal!
We are still working on updating all the descriptions, but you can match the numbers to our maps collection index, which includes descriptions and further details here: https://oswegoheritage.org/Collections
We will continue to work to make this as easy to use as possible, so anyone, anywhere, can access Lake Oswego history.
Explore the Digitized Maps Now
We're excited that the City of Lake Oswego has gifted us with an important artifact in the history of the lake: one of the two signs stating private access that was recently removed! This object will join our collection to tell the story of the lake.
VIP TICKETS SOLD OUT!
Get Your Tickets Before They're Gone
Dressing up is encouraged!
The Ne Plus Ultra Jass OrchestraThe Headless Carriage ClubHistorical Burlesque PerformersAnd more!
Did you recognize this marshy area, c. 1909, and figure out what it's now called?
The foreground of this image is a marshy area called the Duck Pond, which would be flooded to create Lakewood Bay in 1928. The Oswego City Council then passed an ordinance to fine anyone who referred to Lakewood Bay as the Duck Pond, although several residents said they still call it that to this day!
Can you guess in what Lake Oswego neighborhood and in what year this extension was proposed by the Oregon Iron & Steel Company?
We were recently donated a large collection of original maps featuring different neighborhoods around Lake Oswego. Found in an attic like so many other wonderful treasures, these maps have some interesting stories to tell!
LAKE OSWEGO REVIEW: Fifty years after Saigon's fall: Exhibit features art of Vietnamese immigrant
I just returned from the Oregon Museums Association's annual conference, held this year in historic Independence. It's a great gathering space for museums across the state to discuss topical issues, solutions, and ideas, and I always walk away with new excitement on how we might improve our organization. I even led a session with West Linn Historical Society on collaborating on our BOOTLEGGER'S BALL event, which we are continuing this year.
This year, fresh from the defunding of federal organizations (like the Institute for Museums & Library Sciences) that support museums big and small, museums (and other cultural institutions) across the state are experiencing a lot of uncertainty. But one thing we all walked away from is that, despite the slashing of federal support that will inevitably trickle down to each of our institutions in its own way, we will continue to do the best work we can. We will continue to preserve and share our community's histories. And we will continue to build connections that strengthen Oregon museums, including the Oswego Heritage House.
I am, as always, grateful for the support that you all provide to the Oswego Heritage Council. Whether that's as a member, attending an event, visiting our new exhibit, or donating a piece of your own history to our collection, we would not exist without you. We do this work with you and because of you. Thank you!
OPB: New art exhibits commemorate 50 years of Vietnamese culture in Oregon
After months of hard work, our finding aids are now LIVE on our website!
You might be wondering - what exactly is a finding aid? A finding aid is a document which gives a brief overview into each of our collections. With 40 family collections and 42 general museum collections, that's A LOT of information, now distilled in an easy-to-use form.
Our finding aids also include a link to the full index of items within each collection (yes, every item) and, when applicable, links to any digitized part of the collection. While poking around the finding aids, you'll discover some amazing treasures in our collection like:
A collection of 1,255 glass lantern slides (like pictured here) taken by Oswegan Rev. William Wallace Youngson during his travels around the world c. 1920s, as well as reproductions of images from National Geographic Magazine Volumes
Lake Oswego city records from 1901-1928, including the 1910 charter of the City of Oswego
Important genealogical information of many of Oswego's early families
And so, so, SO much more!
Explore the Finding Aids Now
All families are welcome at the Oswego Heritage House!
This new mother (with 11 ducklings in tow!) visited the museum last week and found our outside decor particularly welcoming, as it offered some shade on their long journey through the garden. We hope they come back soon!
Bring your own family by the museum to check out our wonderful exhibits and historic garden.
The museum is open the first Saturday of the month, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, beginning THIS SATURDAY, May 3rd!
JOIN US FOR THIS YEAR'S
BOOTLEGGER'S BALL!
New performances, delicious food, live music, and so much more...
The Ne Plus Ultra Jass OrchestraThe Headless Carriage ClubHistorical Burlesque PerformancesAnd more!
Were you able to guess in what Lake Oswego neighborhood and in what year this extension was proposed by the Oregon Iron & Steel Company?
Here's the map zoomed out a bit! The top reads: "A portion of the Oregon Iron & Steel Company's Extension to the Oregon Iron & Steel Company's First Addition to Oswego. The within map approved by the 1908 County Court this fifth day of November."
Did you guess 1908 in the First Addition neighborhood?
If you look at a current map of First Addition, what do you see?
While some of our new maps are ones we have seen before, there are several that are new to us. We look forward to adding them to our collection and sharing them with you all soon, along with additional historical context.
AND REMEMBER: If you find something interesting and old in your attic, don't throw it away! Call us first!
Oswego Heritage House and Museum398 10th St.Lake Oswego, OR 97034(503) 635-6373
Hours of Operation:Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday10:00 AM - 3:00 PMFree entrance
Copyright © 2024, Oswego Heritage Council. All rights reserved.
