7 ways to celebrate Oregon’s 165th birthday
Published 9:00 am Wednesday, February 14, 2024
- The sun sets over The Cove Palisades State Park near Madras in central Oregon, with Mount Hood in the distance.
PORTLAND — Oregon is turning 165 years old this month, and it’s only right to celebrate the occasion.
But how do you celebrate a state? You could always educate yourself about Oregon’s past and present at a local history or cultural museum. You might spend some time exploring Salem, our state capital. Or maybe all you want is to get outside and appreciate some of the natural beauty Oregon is famous for — rain or shine.
If you’re feeling especially bold, you could even get an Oregon tattoo.
The fact that our state’s birthday comes on Feb. 14, sharing the day with (and frankly overshadowed by) Valentine’s Day, is an even better excuse to show your love.
Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoors enthusiast or just like bopping around a small town, there are plenty of ways to show your affection for the state we call home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Hang out in Salem
Oregon’s capital is criminally underrated. With accessible parks, beautiful gardens and good restaurants, including a robust fair food scene, you’d be foolish to sleep on Salem. Located less than an hour from Portland (depending on traffic), it makes a great day trip or a weekend getaway.
Go to Oregon City
Ready to look a little further back in time? How about a trip to Oregon City, our original state capital and the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains? Located just 13 miles southeast of Portland, the city is a perfect day trip destination. Park downtown to find a series of good restaurants and shops, then take the Oregon City Municipal Elevator up to the McLoughlin Promenade, where you can walk to some great views over Willamette Falls.
Visit a tribal museum
Some of the best places to learn about the Indigenous history of this area are museums run by a few of Oregon’s federally recognized tribes. Check out the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute in Pendleton, run by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; the Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center in Grand Ronde, run by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde; and The Museum at Warm Springs, run by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Stop by Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
The National Park Service operates the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park just outside Astoria, where visitors can learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, placed in proper historical and cultural context. The Fort Clatsop replica shows how the expedition members lived (spoiler alert: they were miserable), and the Fort to Sea Trail offers a beautiful day hike to the ocean.
Browse the Oregon Historical Society
There are few better places to learn about the history and culture of Oregon than the Oregon Historical Society in downtown Portland. Current exhibits cover birds of the Pacific Coast, migrant labor families in the Willamette Valley, mountain climbing group The Mazamas, and a contemporary and historical look at Portland. Museum admission is free for Multnomah County residents.
Cultural history museums
Take a deep dive into particular cultural experiences in Oregon at any of the state’s cultural history museums. The Portland Chinatown Museum showcases the Chinese immigrant experience, the Japanese America Museum of Oregon covers the Nikkei experiences, and the Maxville Heritage Center in Joseph covers the history of Black loggers in Northeast Oregon. Look for other local cultural museums around the state.
Explore a state park
Why not celebrate Oregon by visiting one of our beautiful state parks? February is not exactly peak time for outdoor recreation, but with a little preparation and the right clothing you can enjoy the cliffs of Smith Rock, the waterfalls of Silver Falls, the ocean views of Ecola or the quiet desert scenery of The Cove Palisades.