The museum offers guided tours on Springfield history and creating a community and can provide tours of selected changing exhibits. The following information will be useful if you are considering a tour for your school or group. School tours are free. Adult groups are $2 per person.

Description of Institution

The Springfield Museum hosts changing exhibits of art and historic collections in the Main Street Gallery. The Historic Interpetive Center pays homage to the strong men and women who built a community in the valley between the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. The Interpretive Center has seven learning centers about the Kalapuya people, the railroad, the timber industry, daily life, historic preservation, agriculture and the Millrace. The Museum was founded in 1980 and opened to the public in 1981. The Springfield Museum is part of Springfield City Hall complex that includes City Hall and the Springfield Public Library. Enter the Museum from the north doors facing City Hall.

Parking

There is car and van parking in the parking lot on the west side of the Museum. Buses may unload on Fifth Street (one block down on Main and a right turn onto 5th) in front of City Hall. Buses may park there for a limited time or may park on B Street between 4th and 5th Streets.

Lunch Facilities

No food, beverages or gum allowed in the Museum. Picnics are allowed in City Hall Lobby adjacent to the Museum. Picnic facilities are available at Island Park next to the Willamette River. Three picnic tables are available at the Millrace Park next to the Springfield Depot.

Reservation Information

Tours are by appointment. Tours are limited to morning hours. One classroom per tour, two tours per day. No guided tours on weekends.
Contact: Debbie Gruell
Phone: 541-726-3677

Educational Curriculum

English: All exhibits through teacher-generated assignments.
Social Studies: Historic Springfield Interpretive Center. Tours include information on history of local community and culture and using artifacts to interpret local history.
Art: Featured exhibits.
Special Events and Programs: For more information, check annual exhibit and events calendar. Special events include Annual Heritage Day – Experts in traditional crafts share their enthusiasm and knowledge through demonstrations.
Family art workshops throughout the year.

Special Features for Teachers

Tour content can be tailored to fit classroom needs including the use of historic objects for discovery-based learning. Photographs and documents are available for individual research by appointment.
A short eleven-minute video, “Between Two Rivers,” is available to classroom teachers with a $25 refundable deposit. The video is available to a building for two weeks. The subject is the founding of Springfield and early history.