News & Press

The Oregon Historical Society announced today that Brian J. Carter has been selected as Director of Museum Services and Education. Carter, who is currently the Deputy Director of the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle, will succeed long-time OHS employee Marsha Matthews, who is retiring on February 1, 2013. Carter will assume his new responsibilities on March 4, 2013. Carter has worked at the Northwest African American History Museum since 2006, where he helped lead the museum from an idea to a reality, and oversaw a major strategic planning process.

A native of Yakima, Washington, Carter earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Stanford University in 2001, and received his Masters of Arts Degree in Museology from the University of Washington in 2006. Please click here to read full press release.

Portland, OR – September 13, 2012 – The Smithsonian Institution and the National Veterans Network announced today that the Oregon History Museum in Portland has been chosen as one of seven museums in the United States to host an exhibit featuring the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Japanese-American World War II veterans. An associated educational program will accompany the Medal on its tour across the country.

The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded in 2011 by the United States Congress to the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service in recognition of their exceptional service, sacrifice, and loyalty to America, even while many of their parents and other family members were held in internment camps. Pleas click here to read full press release.

Portland, OR – August 22, 2012 — Starting Friday, August 24, the Oregon Historical Society will host one of Ben & Jerry’s tantalizing mobile ice cream carts on our Plaza (1200 SW Park Avenue). Staffing the cart will be employees from New Avenues for Youth’s New Ventures for Youth program. The cart will be on the Plaza from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM on Thursdays and Fridays, and 11 AM – 1:30 PM on Saturdays for one month.

“The Oregon Historical Society is excited to work with New Avenues for Youth as a community partner in their New Ventures program,” says OHS Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk. “As a downtown Portland neighbor, we are delighted to help another non-profit thrive and succeed with their mission.”

Please click here to read the full press release.

Portland, OR – July 25, 2012 — The Oregon Historical Society has achieved Sustainability at Work’s silver certification and is recognized for its leadership helping make Portland one of the cleanest, most sustainable cities in the country. To earn this honor, the Oregon Historical Society completed numerous actions to benefit our local economy, our community, and our environment, which were verified during an onsite visit with Sustainability at Work Advisors.

“We have taken great strides in making our facilities and day to day business practices more environmentally responsible, and we are thrilled to receive the Sustainability at Work’s silver certification,” says OHS Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk. “Our staff has done a tremendous job at making these green initiatives a top priority, and I am pleased at the progress we have made as an organization in this past year.”

Please click here to read the full press release.

On Saturday, May 12, the Oregon Historical Society welcomed six new board members and elected four new board officers to the Society’s Board of Directors.

The Annual Meeting on Saturday marked the end of Dr. Jerry Hudson’s two year term as president of the board. His impeccable service to the Society was documented in an editorial piece in the May 15 issue of the Oregonian. Click here to read the article online.

Long time board member and former board vice president Bill Failing was elected to president of the Society for the coming year. Bill is a civic activist with strong local roots and ties to the community. He spent the majority of his career managing various print and radio outlets at the local and national level. Bill has served on a variety of local cultural boards, and currently is a consultant for the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation.

Leading the board with Mr. Failing will be vice president Pat Ritz (Footwear Specialties International), secretary Elizabeth McCaslin (Keller Family Foundation), and treasurer Carl Christoferson (Oregon Investments).

May 7 – 12

Teddy Roosevelt’s Oregon Roadshow, a live history performance, will visit schools, museums, and historical societies across Oregon May 7-12 in a tour organized by the Oregon Historical Society and sponsored by Wells Fargo. Famed Teddy Roosevelt impersonator Joe Wiegand will be joined on the tour by OHS Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk and Wells Fargo History Museum Manager Steve Greenwood. Wiegand has been bringing T.R. to life for years with his unparalleled grasp of history and uncanny resemblance to the 26th president. His depth of knowledge about the personal anecdotes in Roosevelt’s life make his audiences feel they are truly in the presence of Teddy himself. The tour will include stops in Beaverton, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Sisters, Salem, Prineville and Portland, among other cities.

Please click here to read the full press release.

In a formal meeting today, the Oregon Historical Society Board of Trustees voted to remove the “Interim” from Kerry Tymchuk’s title, appointing him Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society.

“Kerry Tymchuk has achieved several notable goals since joining OHS as Interim Executive Director last April. His masterful facilitation has renewed public support for OHS and his ability to nurture relationships and spread enthusiasm for history is truly remarkable” says Board President Jerry Hudson. “We are delighted that he has chosen to accept the Executive Director position."

Please click here to read the full press release.

Click here to view the Society's recent press releases.

Senator Hatfield was a passionate student of history, and, after returning to Oregon in 1997 following his retirement from the Senate, he became a dedicated supporter of the Oregon Historical Society. His vision and leadership made possible the "Mark O. Hatfield Distinguished Historians Forum." Now in its 14th season, the Forum has allowed Oregonians to hear and meet many of the nation's leading biographers and historians. Until his health prevented it, Senator Hatfield could always be found in the front row of the Forums, and he always asked the first question during the question and answer session.

"In the 152 years since our statehood, perhaps no Oregonian impacted history more than Mark Hatfield. Throughout his remarkable public service career, Mark Hatfield earned a reputation for intelligence, integrity, courage, and character. His Washington, D.C. office was a training ground for countless Oregonians who, inspired by Senator Hatfield's example, returned to Oregon to make a positive difference for their community and our state. He was a very proud supporter of the Oregon Historical Society, and the Mark O. Hatfield Distinguished Historians Forum will live on as a fitting tribute to this true giant of Oregon history."

--Kerry Tymchuk

Interim Executive Director

A condolence book is available in the lobby of the Oregon Historical Society. You are invited to visit OHS and sign the condolence book or leave messages for Mrs. Hatfield. To give a gift in memory of Senator Hatfield click here.

Read more about Senator Hatfield's distinguished career on the Oregon History Project, the Oregonian and on Willamette University's website.