and separates Deepwood from Bush’s Pasture Park. Immerse yourself in history at the 5-acre Willamette Heritage Center, where 14 historic structures and changing exhibits offer peeks into the lives of the EuroAmerican missionaries and immigrants who settled in the mid-Willamette Valley in the 1840s. Explore the research library, experience life in what was once a leading textile factory in Oregon, and visit the retail shops and art galleries. The Gothic architecture of the 97-year-old Elsinore Theatre in downtown Salem is itself a work of art, but the real magic happens on its historic stage. Known for its great acoustics, the Elsinore hosts all types of performances — music from local and national acts, theater, comedy, symphonic performances and more. Take a guided tour and see the Mighty Wurlitzer organ, the largest theater organ in the Pacific Northwest, and learn about the theater’s history. Champoeg State Heritage Area combines outdoor recreation with history — it was an important settlement in the Willamette Valley in the early 1840s, and it’s the site where Oregon’s first provisional government was formed. Explore the Visitor Center and learn about the Kalapuya people and the settlers who built the town. With ample opportunities for kayaking, fishing and biking, you don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy the surrounding area. Powerland Heritage Park is a must for anyone who loves vintage fire trucks and tractors. Tour over 15 museums dedicated to antique farm machinery and engines, plus visit the Caterpillar Museum, which exhibits machines that helped build the state of Oregon. Kids will love the Great Oregon Steam-Up, two summer weekends filled with steam engines and trolley rides. For a quiet escape, walk or bike across the region’s historic covered bridges. Bicyclists can explore the 45mile Ritner Cycling Loop and pedal through some of Polk County’s most scenic landscapes, including the Ritner Creek Covered Bridge. The rebuilt Stayton-Jordan Bridge was constructed in 1998 from the dismantled structure of a 1937 covered bridge located in the nearby town of Jordan. The 84-foot-long Gallon House Bridge — which was built in 1916 and so named because it was a meeting place for moonshiners during Prohibition — is the oldest and last covered bridge in Marion County. Head to the Independence Heritage Museum to learn why the town was once deemed the Hop Capital of the World and follow its historical walking tour for more insights. EXPLORE THESE UNUSUAL OREGON MUSEUMS The Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health in Salem may be famously known as the filming location of the 1975 film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” but more importantly, it tells the stories of the people who have worked and lived at the 130-year-old hospital through a variety of artifacts, documents, photographs and audio recordings. Also in Salem, Hangar C at McNary Field houses the B-17 Alliance Foundation Museum and a restoration facility where you can watch volunteers restore the B-17 Flying Fortress, known as “Lacey Lady,” back to airworthy condition. Additionally, the museum displays uniforms, equipment and photographs of the men and women who served our country during World War II. Learn about Oregon’s forest history through displays about fire lookouts, the Civilian Conservation Corps, logging and firefighting tools. Salem’s Forest History Center is both a museum and an archive dedicated to teaching the public about protecting Oregon forests and preserving the state’s great forestry legacy. The 1852 house that was once home to Robert Newell, a prominent figure in early Oregon history, is now the Robert Newell House Museum. Head to St. Paul, a small town known for its summer rodeo, to visit this historical home along with other heritage sites that are part of the Newell Pioneer Village. Peruse pioneer artifacts, including furniture dating to the mid19th century, and the fascinating “First Ladies of Oregon” gown collection, where the oldest dress dates back to 1849. The more eccentric, the better at the Mount Angel Abbey Museum in St. Benedict, which was founded in 1882 by a group of Benedictine monks from Switzerland. From the largest porcine (pig) hairball to all sorts of oddities, it’s as unusual as it gets. While there, stop by the Benedictine Brewery — one of only a few monk-owned breweries with on-site tasting rooms in the country. Located in Rickreall, the Polk County Museum dives into the region’s history spanning from 1842 to 1960. In addition to artifacts and information about the Kalapuya Tribe and the pioneers who traveled the Oregon Trail by covered wagon, the research facility has an extensive archival collection and is a hot spot for visitors seeking out their genealogical information and family trees. Polk County Museum Polk County Museum 19 TravelSalem.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==