An Authoritative and Free Resource on All Things Oregon
Research Categories
Become a member of the Oregon Historical Society, GET THE QUARTERLY, have some cheese
As far as encyclopedias go, The Oregon Encyclopedia may be the greatest encyclopedia of all time. It has all the best entries, the best authors, and the best photographs—thousands of them. The OE is part of one of the greatest research libraries in the West, which is located in the largest historical society in the state—the Oregon Historical Society. All sorts of history things are here, including a pardon signed by President Harrison for an Oregon bootlegger, a photo of Santa Ana's cork leg, the film "The Haunted Camera" directed by a 15-year-old Medford girl in the 1930s, and an animatronic elf (or three) from SantaLand. Millions of history items are catalogued, carefully stored, and kept safe at OHS. Come visit! Even better, with an annual membership to the Oregon Historical Society, you'll help keep all that history in good order; you'll get a subscription to the Oregon Historical Quarterly; and you'll be invited to special events, cheese included. You'll also have access to many other historical and cultural institutions around the state. Excellent!
October: A Month for Fortitude, or What a Little Courage Can Do
"I have more arguments with the people I vote with on this issue. I say, 'Won't you please help us with population-control or family-planning issues?' and their feeling about the sanctity of life disappears. Or, I say, 'How about prenatal care or women and children's nutrition programs?' Often I say to them, 'I wish you'd be as concerned about sanctity of life after birth as you are about it in the womb.'" // Senator Mark Hatfield, during re-election campaign in 1990.
Looking for history in All The Places?
The Oregon History Wayfinder is an interactive map that identifies significant places, people, and events in Oregon history. Each point on the map connects to the historical records and scholarship on the Oregon History Project and The Oregon Encyclopedia, two of the digital history sites created by the Oregon Historical Society. The Oregon History Wayfinder is supported in part by the Oregon Heritage Commission.
Welcome to the award-winning Oregon Encyclopedia
Western History Association, Gene Autry Public History Award, 2012.
AASLH American Association of State and Local History, Leadership in History
Award, 2011.
NCTE logo National Council of Teachers of English, Multicultural Program Award,
2009.
OHS Digital History Projects
In addition to The Oregon Encyclopedia, the OHS Digital History Projects include the Oregon History Project and Oregon History Wayfinder.
The OE is Green!
The Encyclopedia's editorial process is completely paperless. Our authors and editors use a one-of-a-kind online workshop developed by Portland State University. We've published hundreds of authoritative entries on Oregon history and culture without hurting a single Douglas Fir. Donate your green to The OE and keep us—and the trees—growing.
Additional Funding
This project has been funded in part by the Oregon Heritage Commission and the
Oregon Cultural Trust.
Project Partners
LSTA Libraries as Community Resources Meetings, made possible by a grant from the
Institute of Museum and Library Services to The Oregon Encyclopedia.