Oswego Heritage Council

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Oswego Heritage Council We invite visitors to stop by and see the historic house and attend our featured events! Check our website for details.

Lake Oswego's Historic Heritage House is open to the public to visit our museum, and is available for rental for your events. Our annual events are First Wednesday, Collector Car and Classic Boat show, Historic Home tour, Holiday Gift Show, and more.

ENTER AN IMMERSIVE HISTORIC EXPERIENCE THIS HALLOWEEN, WHERE THE PAST OF LAKE OSWEGO COMES ALIVE...Inside the Oswego Her...
10/22/2026

ENTER AN IMMERSIVE HISTORIC EXPERIENCE THIS HALLOWEEN, WHERE THE PAST OF LAKE OSWEGO COMES ALIVE...

Inside the Oswego Heritage House, something isn't right. Disturbances have been occurring afterhours: antiques are in the wrong place, exhibits have been moved, and artifacts are standing wrong side up. And that's not even the strangest part!

Someone...or something...is causing the problem.

Stepping out of the pages of history, the exhibits have come to life. When you enter the museum, they'll greet you and share stories from their past. But while they may appear as one thing, your goal is to figure out which one is causing such mayhem within the museum walls.

Or YOU may be the one trapped behind glass forever!

Join us on October 23rd or 24th at 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, or 8:00 PM! Tickets available at https://www.oswegoheritage.org/escaperoom

This program is presented by Live History, a touring theatre company who produces site specific customizable mysteries around the world, with the Oswego Heritage Council. It combines elements of live theater, historical reenactments, and murder mysteries (without the murder).

ENTER AN IMMERSIVE HISTORIC EXPERIENCE THIS HALLOWEEN, WHERE THE PAST OF LAKE OSWEGO COMES ALIVE... Inside the Oswego He...
10/20/2026

ENTER AN IMMERSIVE HISTORIC EXPERIENCE THIS HALLOWEEN, WHERE THE PAST OF LAKE OSWEGO COMES ALIVE...

Inside the Oswego Heritage House, something isn't right. Disturbances have been occurring afterhours: antiques are in the wrong place, exhibits have been moved, and artifacts are standing wrong side up. And that's not even the strangest part!

Someone...or something...is causing the problem.

Stepping out of the pages of history, the exhibits have come to life. When you enter the museum, they'll greet you and share stories from their past. But while they may appear as one thing, your goal is to figure out which one is causing such mayhem within the museum walls.

Or YOU may be the one trapped behind glass forever!

Join us on October 23rd or 24th at 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, or 8:00 PM! Tickets available at https://www.oswegoheritage.org/escaperoom

This program is presented by Live History, a touring theatre company who produces site specific customizable mysteries around the world, with the Oswego Heritage Council. It combines elements of live theater, historical reenactments, and murder mysteries (without the murder).

10/17/2026

Discover the Johnson barn, a historic barn in the center of Lake Oswego's downtown!

Built around 1910 by young Clifford "Happy" Johnson, an early postal carrier, to house the horses for his postal delivery wagon, the Johnson Barn remains today as a reminder of Oswego's past. It was added to the city of Lake Oswego's Landmark Designation List in 1990.

Video courtesy of Sharon and Emily Gustafson.

Join us at the Heritage House THIS SATURDAY for the opening of our new exhibit, "Year of the Horse: The History of the L...
10/15/2026

Join us at the Heritage House THIS SATURDAY for the opening of our new exhibit, "Year of the Horse: The History of the Lake Oswego Hunt Club!"

This exhibit dives deep into the history of the people of Lake Oswego and their horses. From polo in the 1920s to miles-long trail races scattered across the area, the Lake Oswego Hunt Club emerged as a place for the community to gather and socialize.

The creation of their historic arena--one of the largest in the west at the time--was part of a larger push by developer Paul Murphy to transform Oswego from a small, rural town into a place where you could live where you played.

Come discover the history of the Lake Oswego Hunt Club!

Part of the exhibit will also be displayed at the Hunt Club itself, which is open to the public.

We are incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of Dr. Stephen Dow Beckham over the weekend. Dr. Beckham was an incred...
10/12/2026

We are incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of Dr. Stephen Dow Beckham over the weekend.

Dr. Beckham was an incredibly influential historian, leaving a deep mark on the Oswego Heritage House. He gave countless lectures here, contributed his vast knowledge to our exhibits and research, and always, always had time to answer questions and contribute his expertise to projects.

Dr. Beckham taught at Lewis & Clark College for 42 years and served as an expert witness in more than forty court cases, including in the case on Oswego Lake. His work on indigenous history, the history of Oswego Lake, the history of logging, and so many more areas will live on in the field, among the people he impacted, and at the Heritage House.

He will be extremely missed.

Photo credit: Lewis & Clark College

Today's takes us to Tryon Creek! Edna Bickner (left) and Maude Zimmerman (right) sit near the foot bridge across Tryon...
10/10/2026

Today's takes us to Tryon Creek!

Edna Bickner (left) and Maude Zimmerman (right) sit near the foot bridge across Tryon Creek. They're on the south side, near the pipe foundry. This photograph was taken c. 1908.

Edna Bickner was an active community member in Oswego. As only one (of many) examples, she was an election judge in 1912, the same year women in Oregon got the right to vote.

ONE WEEK LEFT OF OUR QUILTING EXHIBIT! The last day to visit will be Wednesday, October 14th. This exhibit showcases sev...
10/08/2026

ONE WEEK LEFT OF OUR QUILTING EXHIBIT! The last day to visit will be Wednesday, October 14th.

This exhibit showcases several quilts from the Oswego Quilters group. We also have a quilt from a class of fourth graders in 1976, honoring the 200th anniversary of the United States, on loan from the school district. Come witness the amazing storytelling in the stitches!

Our next exhibit tells the history of the Lake Oswego Hunt Club and opens October 17th.

This Halloween, join us for a LIVE THEATER experience at the Oswego Heritage House! Exhibits are coming to life at the O...
10/06/2026

This Halloween, join us for a LIVE THEATER experience at the Oswego Heritage House!

Exhibits are coming to life at the Oswego Heritage House. As they lead you around, it becomes clear someone is causing these disturbances. It is up to you and the other guests to discover the culprit. If you fail, you may find yourself trapped behind glass forever...

BEHIND GLASS combines elements of a live theater with the puzzles of an escape room! GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY FOR ONE OF OUR SESSIONS ON OCTOBER 23RD OR 24TH!

https://oswegoheritage.org/escaperoom

Presented by Live History, a Governor General’s Award nominated international touring theatre company who produces site specific customizable mysteries around the world, and the Oswego Heritage Council.

Today's takes us to an intersection you might still recognize today! This is the corner of A Avenue and State Street i...
10/03/2026

Today's takes us to an intersection you might still recognize today! This is the corner of A Avenue and State Street in downtown Lake Oswego.

You'll notice that the building on the right is one that still exists today, even if the opposite side of the street looks completely different! Any other similarities or differences you notice?

JOIN US IN TWO WEEKS FOR OUR NEXT LECTURE! Join Adrianne Brockman, who grew up with the Lake Oswego Hunt, as she explore...
09/24/2026

JOIN US IN TWO WEEKS FOR OUR NEXT LECTURE!

Join Adrianne Brockman, who grew up with the Lake Oswego Hunt, as she explores the history of the long-standing community group. From swimming horses in Oswego Lake to jumping them at events, the Lake Oswego Hunt has changed with its city - but one thing has remained the same: the relationship between people and their horses.

Event is held on October 7th at the Oswego Heritage House, with doors opening at 5:00 PM. Come get a sneak peak at our new exhibit before the presentation!

Address

398 Tenth Street
Lake Oswego, OR
97034

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 11am - 2pm

Telephone

(503) 635-6373

Website

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