Oregon Historical Society

Research services - the oregon historical society research library is one of the largest historical libraries in the country and maintains an unparalleled collection relating to the history of oregon and the pacific northwest. Its holdings include thousands of books, government documents, and serials; maps; manuscript collections; oral history interviews and other sound recordings; as well as millions of photographs; millions of feet of archival film footage; and a growing collection of digitized and born-digital images, documents, sound, and video.continued on schedule o.these collections broaden and enrich the understanding and interpretation of the cultural, political, religious, social, economic, scientific, and technological life in oregon. Ohs's research library reopened in october of 2021 following nearly two years of renovation. The new library space features a modernized reading room, with enhancements for researchers including a reconfigured reference desk, a new map and architecture viewing station, tech hub, and physical improvements that promote accessibility and inclusion for all users. A highlight of the new space is the pietro belluschi architectural resource center, which will provide a focal point to highlight the library's architectural collections and a well-equipped meeting space for instruction.the research library online catalogue is the primary point of discovery for researchers seeking to use its holdings. Archival collections are also described in more detail in archiveswest, an online consortial resource for academic and research libraries in the pacific northwest and mountain states. The library's digital archive, ohs digital collections, provides direct online access worldwide. A robust suite of digital history websites, including the oregon history project, the oregon encyclopedia, and the oregon history wayfinder, provide primary sources and authoritative content that support education and research, with broad appeal to a general audience. Combined, website visits now top over 1,000,000 annually. The research library provides research support to all society programs and departments and collaborates widely with community partners from around the state. The society also publishes the oregon historical quarterly, which has been a benefit of membership since 1900. The quarterly is a peer-reviewed, public history journal that brings documented history about oregon and the pacific northwest to both scholars and the general audience. The quarterly is supported by an advisory committee comprised of scholars, public historians, and educators from throughout the state.

Education - the educational department at ohs provides school-group tours of exhibitions, traveling trunks, curriculum, and professional development training, with a focus on grades k-12. Ohs offers 6 traveling trunks on urban, rural, and multicultural topics, each filled with objects and images for hands-on and experiential learning, traveling throughout the state of oregon to grades k-12 classrooms. Ohs creates curriculum and other classroom-ready resources that help educators meet oregon's sciences standards integrated with ethnic studies and provides in-person and virtual training to educators across the state. Continued on schedule o.the education department also manages the oregon history day program, which is a part of the renowned, award-winning national history day program. In 2024, more students and teachers participated in the history day program than ever before. The number of students who entered the annual competition tripled over 2023, with 292 students from 12 schools competing. Of the 153 group and individual projects our volunteer judges considered and evaluated, 31 qualified to advance to the national history day contest, which took place at the university of maryland, near washington, d.c., from june 9-13. For the students whose projects advanced to the national contest, ohs scholarships made it possible for 28 students from the portland metro area and 12 students from rural communities to compete.ohs served 4,260 k-12 students and 86 college students on exhibition tours in 2024. Ohs provides a monthly newsletter to educators informing them of workshops and resources that will assist them in the classroom.