End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive & Visitor Center
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End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive & Visitor Center
@endoforegontrail.bsky.social
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The End of the Oregon Trail, operated by Clackamas Heritage Partners, features costumed guides, interactive exhibits, and an official Oregon Welcome Center.

To donate, visit: https://historicoregoncity.org/donate/
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Did you know that there is another historical figure named George Washington? The life of George Washington, an Oregon Black Pioneer who traveled to Oregon in 1850, highlights the challenges faced by Black individuals during that era. #OregonHistory #CommunityDevelopment #Resilience
Black and white image of an older black gentleman sitting in front of the house's front door. His adorable dog is sitting next to him.
December 22, 2025 at 6:27 PM
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Historically gathered and traded by indigenous peoples, camas bulbs were harvested primarily in the summer and fall. Large quantities were then baked for several days to convert starches into digestible sugars. The resulting "camas wheels" served as vital food supplies during winter and were traded.
Camas plant in full bloom with grass in the background.
December 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
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We said it's not all unicorns and rainbows on the Oregon Trail. Case in point: the weather outside is frightful, and tomorrow's (December 19th) Wagon Crawl has been cancelled so that no one gets dysentery from the standing water. Wagon Crawl will be back on January 16th!
December 19, 2025 at 12:42 AM
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It wasn't always the prospect of free land that drew settlers to the Oregon Trail. The Oregon Trail played a critical role as a refuge for individuals seeking to escape the divisive issues of slavery, states’ rights, and economic and cultural differences long before the Civil War began.
Men's Civil War uniform, complete with the golden buttons, leather hat, and leather pouches Women's attire during the Civil War era, complete with a hoop skirt, crocheted shawl, and a brown bonnet.
December 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
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Why is everything around Oregon City named Abernethy? In 1840, George Abernethy arrived to manage the business affairs of the Methodist Missions until they closed in 1844, where he purchased their assets along with $20,000 in promissory notes from settlers who had been trading at the mission store.
Black and white photo of an older gentleman. He has a white beard, soft features, and a suit on.
December 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
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By 1860, Jewish merchants comprised about 1/3 of Portland’s merchants. These traders not only supplied isolated frontier communities with essential goods using their wagons but also established vital business networks that facilitated their transition from peddlers to permanent store owners.
A Jewish peddler's wagon. Its body is brown, and the large, thin wheels are bright yellow. In the background of where it is parked, there is a mannequin dressed in women's clothes, two black silhouettes of men, 2 beaver hats, and several sacks filled with unknown materials.
December 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
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Thank you, everybody who came out to explore the last quarterly free admission day of 2025! We had over 200 people enjoy the day with us, and there were a few times we reached our maximum capacity. Also, thank you to The Fireside Carolers PDX and the Clauses for making yesterday an amazing day!
Mr. & Mrs. Claus are enjoying the outdoors with a parking lot in the background. A four-person caroling group singing outdoors in front of people. They are standing next to the End of the Oregon Trail interpretive center building.
December 11, 2025 at 11:55 PM
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What started with Indigenous occupation since time immemorial, the area where our site is located has evolved with every influence.
#History #CulturalPreservation
A black and white old photo of the mill, Willamette Falls, and houses in Oregon City.
December 8, 2025 at 5:12 PM
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Our visitor center supports local artists by showcasing their unique ornaments, perfect for enhancing personal collections. By purchasing these handcrafted items, you not only enrich your home but also promote artistic talent. #LocalArtists #SupportArt #Community #OregonCity #OregonTrail
Multiple ornaments on a Christmas Tree. There are wooden wagons, wooden snowflakes, wooden Oregons, pinecones, fabric hearts, and a few others that are indistinguishable in the photo.
December 7, 2025 at 6:27 PM
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As an official Travel Oregon Welcome Center, we are partnered with KultureCity to provide free sensory bags for any visitor who might have sensory needs. Just ask any member on site & they will lend you one for your visit with us.
#OregonCity #OregonTrail #Accessbility #SensoryBags #Disability
Multiple items on a table. A black drawstring bag with KultureCity on it, a sign that reads "Sensory Bags Available Here," two cards that have different emotions and feelings on them, a lanyard with QR codes on it, two fidget toys, and a pair of noise-canceling headphones.
December 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
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📰 Special Dispatch from the End of the Oregon Trail!

On Wednesday, December 10th, the good folks at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive & Visitor Center are granting FREE ADMISSION to all who wander in during regular museum hours.
December 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
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The everyday lives of pioneers included unique challenges, especially regarding sanitation. Many pioneers faced the reality of using fields for their bathroom needs until they reached Oregon, where they could finally enjoy the luxury of outhouses.
#OregonTrail #CulturalHeritage #OregonCity #Museum
A small wooden structure with a steep roof and a front door that has a crescent moon cut-out in it. Next to the structure is a black silhouette of a man. On the silhouette is a picture of a man with a mustache and information too small to read underneath it.
December 4, 2025 at 6:50 PM
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Our staff love receiving all types of artwork from our artistic visitors of all ages! We display them in our visitor center for everyone to enjoy, building a space for creative expression. #Art #OregonTrail #OregonCity
Picture of a huge mirror covered in paper snowflakes and paper covered in crayon artwork. In the reflection, there is a doorway, windows, a Christmas tree, and some paintings.
December 1, 2025 at 5:31 PM
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This long weekend, engage your family in enriching experiences with our passport book included with every ticket to our interpretive center. It offers fun activities that promote exploration and learning about Oregon City's rich heritage. #CommunityEngagement #OregonHistory
A small, tan passport book for the site that is displayed in front of a stuffed animal oxen. Both are sitting on a wooden table that's placed in front of a large wall filled with brochures, pamphlets, and guides.
November 26, 2025 at 7:01 PM
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An activity that's fun to do in our Interpretive Center is doll making. Learn how to make a doll like the settlers.
#DollMaking #HistoricOregonCity #OregonCity #OregonTrail
A cute little fabric rag doll that a settler might have made. It is lying on a wooden surface.
November 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
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The flags at our site serve as powerful symbols of our local heritage, each representing a state traversed by the Oregon Trail, from Missouri to Oregon.
#OregonTrail #CommunityEducation
8 flags waving high above a parking lot area. 2 buildings are in the background of the flags. One of those buildings has a hoop-like structure around it.
November 23, 2025 at 6:49 PM
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The Oregon Trail presented numerous challenges for families, including long days of walking. A buggy offered a welcome reprieve for affluent emigrants, allowing some family members to rest while also providing extra storage for essential items.
#OregonTrail #History #Community #OregonCity #Museum
A small buggy with large wheels. There is a wooden chest with fabric covering it on the back, behind the driver's seat. Another wooden chest is located by the front wheels, and an animal fur blanket hangs over the footwell of the buggy.
November 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
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Did you know that we are an official Travel Oregon and Mt. Hood Territory welcome center? This means we have free literature about all things Oregon! Staycation? Date night? Family outing? Regardless of the reason, we have ideas for you.
#Oregon #OregonCity #OregonTrail #Travel #Tourism
A photo of two tables. One has papers, a map, and a calendar, and the other table is clear. They are in front of a wall covered in brochures, pamphlets, guides, and maps.
November 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
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As the days grow darker, it is almost important to recognize the darker moments in our shared history. History holds the opportunity to grow in the present.
November 16, 2025 at 6:09 PM
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Did you know that the Oregon Coast's nickname is the People's Coast because it offers public access, diverse state parks, hiking, water sports, fun events, and a variety of seafood options. Visit our Visitor Center to find out more information!
A picture of a coastline with the words, "To donate, visit our website at historicoregoncity.org" & "Come visit our Visitor Center for information about the people's coast!"
November 13, 2025 at 8:04 PM
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Come take a picture in our Visitor Center with our iconic Sasquatch and Yeti. Tag us online if you do, because we would love to see them! And find our hidden Sasquatch stamp on site.
To donate this #GivingSeason, visit our website at historicoregoncity.org/donate/
#Oregon #OregonCity #OregonTrail
Picture of a fiberboard cutout of a yeti and Sasquatch with their faces cut out in front of a wall. 2 men have their faces in the cutout space.
November 10, 2025 at 5:16 PM
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If pioneers were fortunate enough to have brought a milking cow, they would have been able to make butter. They would milk the cow, place the cream in a butter churn or container, and put it inside the traveling wagon. The bouncing wagon would churn the cream and be ready to eat by the end of day.
A wooden butter churn and, to the right, a wooden container with a handle. Both are sitting on a blue table in front of a window with a mural in the backdrop.
November 9, 2025 at 7:16 PM
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We invite you to consider donating your frequent flyer miles to support our staff in traveling for training and collaboration, thereby advancing their abilities. Write to the staff member you would like to support at historicoregoncity.org/about-us/con....
Photo of a blue sky and jet airliner with the words, "Donate your flyer miles to support staff training and collaboration! To donate, visit our website at historicoregoncity.org."
November 6, 2025 at 1:02 AM
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Fridays are special days because if you are lucky, one of our interpreters gives live demonstrations of the spinning wheel! Come swing by to watch and learn.
A woman dressed in historic clothing is demonstrating how to use a wooden spinning wheel while sitting on a bench.
November 5, 2025 at 12:29 AM
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As daylight savings brings earlier sunsets, we invite you to cherish the vibrant dusk colors before our 5 pm closing time.
This #GivingSeason, your contributions are vital in preserving our local heritage and helping ensure future generations can enjoy these beautiful moments.
Sunset sky of purple, pink, and orange behind a building with large hoops over it.
November 2, 2025 at 10:08 PM