Research and Library
Explore Oregon’s History
With collections and scholarship documenting the people, places, and events that have shaped Oregon’s history, the OHS Research Library and the Oregon Historical Quarterly are invaluable resources for researchers. We invite you to explore the world’s largest collection of Oregon-related materials—all our resources are available to everyone.
The Oregon Historical Society is closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Research services are suspended during the closure; staff will respond to research inquiries sent to libreference@ohs.org when the library reopens. Limited photo services are available; please email photoorders@ohs.org before placing an order for reproductions.
Share Your Story
As the repository of Oregon’s history, we have a responsibility to record this moment for future generations. That is why the Oregon Historical Society is asking you to share your stories: your personal reflections on living through this pandemic. We will add a selection of the stories and reflections to the OHS Research Library collections, where future generations will go to understand what this unprecedented...
Learn MoreVisit the Library
The Oregon Historical Society Research Library is open to any researcher, professional or non-professional, who is working on a specific research project.
Location
Oregon Historical Society
Davies Family Research Library
1200 SW Park Ave, 4th Floor
Portland, OR 97205
Tel. 503-306-5240
Email: libreference@ohs.org
Hours
Downtown reading room closed for renovation through late 2020 Learn More >
Our Collections
The Oregon Historical Society's Research Library maintains thousands of books, maps, manuscripts, serials, vertical files, newspaper microfilm,...
Learn MoreWhat’s Available Online
Since almost all of our collections are in closed stacks and are only available for use onsite in our Research Library, researchers use our...
Learn MoreResearch Help
Learn how to use the resources of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library to perform many different kinds of research.
Learn MoreLibrary Online Catalog
The Research Library’s online catalog provides researchers with expanded search capabilities to find a wide variety of materials held by the...
Search the CatalogOHS Digital Collections
High-resolution digital images, documents, and recordings of selected items and some entire collections are available for educational and research use on the OHS Digital Collections website. This is a new initiative of the OHS Research Library, intended to broaden public access to our extensive collections.
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Oregon Historical Quarterly
The Journal of Record for Oregon History
The Oregon Historical Quarterly is a scholarly asset and a public resource that is dedicated to putting the power of history into everyone’s hands and to advancing knowledge in all corners...
Research Fellowships
The Donald J. Sterling, Jr. Fellowships in Pacific Northwest History at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland have been established through an endowment, made possible by...