Salem, OR Attractions

Fourteen historic buildings spread out on five acres, including the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill from 1895, comprise the Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill. The complex offers a look at the history of industrialization and life in the late 19th C and early 20th C in this part of the country. The oldest structure on the property is the Jason Lee House, built in 1841. It is one of the oldest wooden frame houses still remaining in the state. To put this in some perspective, the house was built before wagon trains were plying the Oregon Trail.

Throughout the complex visitors can view 19th century furnishings and various pioneer artifacts. The Thomas Kay Woolen Mill, which operated right up until the 1960s, shows the equipment and method used in the wool processing industry. It also offers a more personal take on the factory, looking at the lives of the workers and their families.

The Heritage Center also features regularly changing exhibitions.

The A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village in Salem is a children's museum featuring hands-on educational displays in a variety of fields. The complex includes a number of unique historic houses, each of which has been renovated and equipped with various exhibits. In addition to these houses, the A.C.'s "Backyard" is a 20,000 square-foot outdoor area area featuring all kinds of children's activities and play areas. This is where children can really burn off some energy.

The properties include the Gilbert House, a late 1800s home listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with other late 19th and early 20th C buildings. The displays vary in terms of age appropriateness, but are generally targeted towards young children. The Toddler Room is designed for an only allows children from age 0 to 35 months.

The Bush house was built in 1877-78 by Asahel Bush. The Victorian style house still contains some of the original furnishings.

The Enchanted Forest in Salem is an amusement park with a Haunted House, Big Timber Log Ride, Ice Mountain roller coaster, Storybook Lane, western town, Fantasy Fountains water-light show, and an old Europe village that allows visitors to step back in time. The Musical Comedy Theatre presents updated fairy tales with laughs for all ages.

The Hallie Ford Museum of Art is located at the Willamette University in Salem. It several galleries with varying permanent and temporary exhibits. The museum offers a diverse collection with Native American art, American and European paintings, sculptures and prints, and more, covering everything from ancient times to present. One of the strongest collections is that of Native American baskets. There is also a focus on traditional, contemporary, and modern pieces by artists of the Northwest.

The main galleries at the Hallie Ford Museum are the Mark and Janeth Sponenburgh Gallery, the Carl Hall Gallery, and the Grande Ronde Gallery. In addition, there is the Print Study Center with temporary exhibits of works on paper.

The museum's collection continues to grow as the museum pursues acquisitions and receives donations.

The Deepwood Estate in Salem is a Queen Anne style home which was built in 1894. Located in the heart of downtown Salem, the estate is a pleasant surprise with gardens, natural areas, and nature trails. The formal gardens were created in the 1930s by Elizabeth Lord & Edith Schryver, the first female landscape architecture firm established in the Northwest. The gardens are divided into sections, each with its own unique character. The grounds are open free of charge, year round, during daylight hours.

The house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes, features stained glass windows, its original electric light fixtures, and many other fine details. Visitors can take a guided tour to learn more about the history and architecture.

Events are sometimes held at the estate, all of which can be found on the Historic Deepwood Estate's calendar. Depending on the time of year, events may include a lecture series, workshop, a tea, holiday events, and seasonal happenings, such as the annual spring plant sale.

The Marion County Historical Museum in Salem features displays related to the county's history, including pioneer life and local American Indian history and artifacts.

The Prewitt-Allen Archaeological Museum is located at Corban College, southeast of Salem. It features Middle Eastern and Biblical artifacts. The exhibits include a replica of the Rosetta Stone, falcon mummies, the Code of Hammurabi of Babylon, New Testament manuscripts and the Assyrian Obelisk.

The museum has one of the largest collections of biblical related artifacts on the west coast north of San Francisco.

The State Capitol in Salem is a four-story structure that is Modern Greek in design with murals that describe historic events. The building is home to the Governor, the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer and the Legislative Branch.

This Western Antique Powerland Museum is located in Brooks, north of Salem. The museum is dedicated to preserving antique farm equipment. Most of the items on display are on loan from private owners.

The town of Albany is located in the Willamette Valley in west central Oregon. It was founded in the mid 1800's and still contains hundreds of original Victorian homes and structures.

Monteith House in Albany was named after Thomas and Walter Monteith who traveled to Oregon in 1847, over the Oregon Trail and established the town. It has been completely restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Heritage Museum is located in the Independence Historic District, in a former Baptist Church built in 1888. It features a collection of artifacts, documents and photographs describing the history and culture of the town.

The Jensen Arctic Museum in Monmouth features over 4,000 items - art and artifacts related to arctic life including tools, clothing and hunting instruments.

The Scio Historical Depot Museum is housed in the former West Scio train depot. It features a caboose and pioneer artifacts.

The Oregon Garden features thousands of plants in 20 specialty gardens. The Gordon House on the site is the only house in Oregon designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Settlemier House in Woodburn is a Victorian mansion that was built in 1892 as the home of Jesse H. Settlemier, the founder of the town. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Worlds Berry Center in Woodburn was founded in the 1980s and features a variety of displays and items related to the town's history.