Our Mission

To spark learning, reflection, and inspiration through diverse cultural programming that promotes historical understanding, equity, and empathy.

Our Vision

To be a trusted and vibrant county resource where diverse community members all feel welcome to share their stories, listen to one another, and reflect on how our histories both set us apart and bring us together.

Historical Society

This non-profit organization serves to encourage the preservation of Lane County history. It also operates the Lane County History Museum, which collects and preserves artifacts and library materials that help establish or illustrate the history of Lane County.

The Society is governed by an elected board of directors and an annual February meeting celebrates Oregon’s achievement of statehood.

The Society also publishes the Lane County Historian, a tri-annual periodical of local historical information. It also prints a quarterly newsletter, The Artifact, 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.

Museum

The core mission of the Lane County History Museum (LCHM) is to make our collection of historic resources related to the history of Lane County, Oregon available so that the public may better understand the place we live today. We pursue these aims through our museum exhibits, maintaining our artifacts and archival collections, resource digitization campaigns, public programs, and support of other local history programs and organizations.

LCHM is operated under contract with the county to protect, preserve, and research an artifact collection of over 10,000 items. Our ever-changing exhibits tell engaging stories that connect our visitors to the past. Our exhibits feature hundreds of historic photographs and artifacts that create an immersive and tangible experience. We use our collections and archival resources to ensure our diverse visitorship will leave having learned something new and surprising about our local history.