About Us
 |
| Photographs and poster by Ravitej Khalsa |
The Future Lane County Historical Museum: An Idea
Introduction:
The Lane County Historical Society and Museum is looking for a new home. LCHS is a 501c.3 non-profit corporation, entrusted with preserving and interpreting Lane County historical collections housed at the Lane County Historical Museum. The collections represent tangible artifacts, papers, photographs and intangible elements of the county’s cultural history. The current museum building located at the Lane County Fairgrounds does not meet accepted professional standards and is inadequate for the continued growth of its collection.
Our Vision for the Future:
To better accomplish our mission and better serve the community, the Society wishes to propose for consideration a state of the art museum
- located in downtown Eugene
- in the National Register-listed U.S. Post Office building
The Stories We Would Tell:
To effectively add to the Eugene/Springfield area’s draw as a significant tourism destination the museum should focus on at least these major themes unique to Lane County and its county seat:
- Oregon Trails: Lane County as a destination for emigrants
then and now
- Oregon Trail, Applegate Trail, Free Emigrant Road
- Town and Gown
- the story of the UO, Northwest Christian, Eugene Bible College and their influence on Eugene and environs
- Timber Country, USA
- the story of logging and the wood products industry
- The 1960s and Beyond
- counterculture reputation, business survivals, radicalism.
- Tracktown USA.
- Jogging, track, cycling, NIKE, and other recreational stories (Driftboats! Mountain biking!)
Please let us know via email, snail mail, or by phone what you think of the idea of the downtown Eugene post office becoming our new home.
 |
| Lane County Historical Society & Museum, 2010 |
The Lane County Historical Museum
 The Lane County Historical Museum was created to collect, preserve and interpret Lane County's rich heritage. It is the only county-wide historical museum in Lane County. Lane County was a destination point for emigrants crossing the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s. The museum houses collections of national and local significance dating from the early 1800s to the present.
The Museum Offers:
- Tours
- Outreach Programs
- Historic Craft Demonstrations
- Slide Presentations
- Research Assistance
The Artifact - Lane County Historical Museum Newsletter
The Lane County Historical Society
This non-profit organization serves to encourage the preservation of Lane County history. It operates the Lane County Historical Museum which collects and preserves artifacts and library materials that help establish or illustrate the history of Lane County. The Society also publishes the Lane County Historian, a tri-annual periodical of local historical information. It also prints a quarterly newsletter and other publications, such as diaries, cemetery records, and local census records. Throughout the year the Society hosts general meetings featuring presentations of historical interest. It also participates in many projects such as historic preservation and the collection of oral histories. For further information, contact the Lane County Historical Society at P. O. Box 5407, Eugene, OR 97405-3819, via email, or phone (541) 682-4242. To join The Lane County Historical Society, you may complete our Membership Form.
Corporate Sponsors
 |
| Lane County Courthouse, NE corner of 8th Avenue and Oak Street, Eugene; Lane County Jail on left. Lane County Courthouse was built in 1898 and torn down in 1959. - Catalog Number: CS284 |
The Society's vision for the future is to create a history center in a visible, accessible location. It would house the Museum, possible related organizations, and a cafe–in a space twice the size of the current facility. It would include a larger, more accessible exhibit space, adequate workspace for collections management and exhibit preparation, storage for current and expanded collections, a well designed library and archives, an expanded gift shop and bookstore, and a multi-purpose room or theater with kitchen facilities for events. The center would also be climate controlled, secure, well-lit and ADA accessible. It would be a dynamic education, research and entertainment destination.
It's easy to plan your next visit to the Lane County Historical Museum!
We're Open
Tuesday through Saturday
10 am to 4 pm
Closed Sundays and Mondays
Affordable Admission
Adults $3.00
Seniors $2.00
Youth (15 - 17) $.75
Free unlimited admission for Society members!
 |
| Alberta Shelton (later McMurphey) posing with bicycle in a Portland, Oregon studio. - Catalog Number: GN6824 |
We’re easy to find next to the Lane County Fairgrounds
If you’re heading east on 13th Avenue, you’ll see our building between Monroe and Jefferson on the right. Look for a sign that says, “Museum Entrance”
The address is 740 W. 13th Ave.
Get directions here
Mailing Address
Lane County Historical Society
P.O. Box 5407
Eugene, OR 97405-3819
Free Parking
There’s plenty of free parking in the lot east of the Museum at the corner of 13th and Jefferson. Walk through the gates to enter the Fairgrounds. Walk past the white Clerk’s Building on your right and turn right for the Museum entrance.
Handicapped Access
The Main Exhibition Hall and Museum Store are accessible.
Shopping & Food
Shop at our Museum Store, open during regular hours. Members always receive a discount! There are many restaurants in nearby downtown Eugene. No food or drink is allowed in the Museum.
Lane County Historical Society & Museum Newsletter
The Artifact is produced quarterly. It includes event and exhibit information, collections research updates, gift shop and volunteer highlights, and news of historical interest about the Society, the Museum, and Lane County, Oregon. Current, printed editions are distributed to members. Previous editions are available on line, as listed below. Become a member now.
Available Archived Editions are listed below.
 |
| Old and new post office buildings. West side of Willamette Street, 500 block, c. 1940 - Catalog Number: KE231 |
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
 |
| The Greyhound Station on Pearl Street in downtown Eugene, with the Eugene Hotel in the background. - Catalog Number: GN1989 |
The color photographs at the bottom of each page are courtesy of Vern Rogers, who is a Lane County photographer.
Photograph at the top of this page: Early Eugene Street Scene, 1800's. - Catalog Number: GN761
|
