Hidden Portland

Small Museums & Collections
in & around Portland, Oregon

1928 NW Lovejoy St. | NW PORTLAND | 503-227-6667
The only museum in the US dedicated to antique and contemporary 3D Art. Interactive exhibits change monthly. On First Thursdays admission is free. Thurs - Sun 1 - 5 pm, First Thursday 6 - 9 pm, extended summer hours, $4.

Architectural Heritage Center

701 SE Grand Ave. | SE PORTLAND | 503-231-7264
They don't build 'em like they used to, but thanks to these fine folks, beautiful architectural artifacts are celebrated in rotating exhibits. The AHC also presents lectures, workshops, and home tours. Wed - Sat 10 am - 4:30 pm, $5.

Bathtub Art Museum

No Permanent location | 503-248-4454
You can collect just about anything - postcards depicting scenes of the bath? Yep. In 2003, after Carye Bye's collection of bathtub postcards hit 200, she started an online museum & organizes semi-annual exhibits in cafes or plumbing shops.

Berry Botanic Garden Living Plant Museum

11505 SW Summerville Ave. | SW PORTLAND | 503-636-4112
A museum of living collections where plants from around the world mingle with those of the Pacific Northwest. Also home of the largest public rock garden on the west coast. Open daylight hours seven days per week, by reservation, $5.

BMX Museum

No Permanent location
Gary Sansom, a former BMX racer, has collected over 300 rare & vintage BMX bikes & frames. Visit the online museum to view over 4000 bikes, meet other enthusiasts, and to find out about local showings. See the bikes by appointment.

Cal Skate Museum

210 NW 6th Ave. | NW PORTLAND | 503-248-0495
A museum of living collections where plants from around the world mingle with those of the Pacific Northwest. Also home of the largest public rock garden on the west coast. Open daylight hours seven days per week, by reservation, $5.

Ground Kontrol Arcade

511 NW Couch St. | NW PORTLAND | 503-796-9364
Whether your game is Joust or Tetris, This "interactive museum" let's you admire the old arcade games, while you get to play. Wander upstairs for pinball and check the calendar for bands and other live events. Open daily, over 21 after 7 pm. Free entry.

The Hat Museum

Located in Ladd's Addition | SE PORTLAND | 503-232-0433
America's only Hat Museum with over 800 hats. Tours performed by a milliner (hat maker) in a1905 costume in the historic Ladd-Reingold House with its 100 year legacy of hat fanciers. Daily 10 am - 6 pm. Reservations only, $10, Limit of 7 per 75 minute tour.

The Historic Belmont Firehouse

900 SE 35th Ave. | SE PORTLAND | 503-823-3615
Slide down the fire pole. Explore firehouse features remaining from the horse-drawn era. Then step into a modern day fire engine and respond to an emergency in SE Portland aboard "The Fire Engine Experience". Open 2nd Sat 10 - 3 or by appointment.

Kidd's Toy Museum

1301 SE Grand Ave. | SE PORTLAND | 503-233-7807
F.E. Kidd has gathered one of the largest private toy collections in the nation - a plethora of mechanical toy banks, dolls, and toy cars dating mostly from the 1860s to 1930s. Be careful not to miss it, the building is not well marked. Mon - Fri Noon - 6 pm, or by appointment, Free.

Lilah Callen Holden Elephant Museum

4001 SW Canyon Rd. | SW PORTLAND | 503-226-1561
A fascinating little museum tucked behind the Elephant area at the Oregon Zoo. From a Salvador Dali painting to an Elephant tricycle you'll learn the history of people and elephants. Open daily 9 am - 4 pm, extended summer hours. Free with Zoo admission.

Mike's Movie Memorabilia Collection

4320 SE Belmont St. | SE PORTLAND | 503-234-4363
Amongst the rows and rows of obscure film and cult favorites at Movie Madness Video, you will see Julie Andrews' dress from Sound of Music, Orson Welles' Touch of Evil Suit, an original mugwump from Naked Lunch, and more. Tours by appointment. Open Daily.

OHSU Historical Collections & Archives

OHSU, Oregon Marquam Hill Campus | SW PORTLAND | 503-418-2287
Whether you're a doctor or just curious, the history of medicine has many stories to tell. You'll find exhibits in the Oregon Health & Science University library (open daily) and the History of the Medicine Room. Walk-in Thurs Noon - 3 pm or by appointment.

Oregon Jewish Museum

310 NW Davis St | NW PORTLAND | 503-226-3600
The only museum in the Pacific Northwest dedicated to preserving and exhibiting Jewish art, history, & culture. Archives open by appointment and changing exhibits. Tue - Fri 10:30 am - 3 pm, Sun 1 - 4, $3.

Oregon Maritme Museum

SW Pine at Waterfront Park | SW PORTLAND | 503-224-7724
Between Morrison & Burnside Bridge, aboard the steam Sternwheeler Portland. See ship models, paintings, and more as you explore all three decks of the floating museum from the engine room to the pilot house. Wed - Sun 11 - 4 pm, $3 - 5.

Oregon Military Museum

10101 SE Clackamas Rd | CLACKAMAS | 503-557-5359
This museum is active in preserving Oregon's military history through restoring historic airplanes, tanks, and structures and organizing exhibits displaying uniforms, photographs and other artifacts. Fri & Sat 9 - 5 pm, Free. Donations accepted.

Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center

121 NW 2nd Ave | NW PORTLAND | 503-224-1458
The Japanese American history museum sits in the original location of Japantown and explores what happened to the Japanese Americans who were forced to move to camps after the WWII Pearl Harbor bombing. Tue - Sat 11 - 3 pm, Sun: Noon - 3 pm, $3.

Oregon Sports Hall of Fame & Museum

321 SW Salmon St | NW PORTLAND | 503-227-7466
Be inspired and learn about Oregon's great athletes through their stories, test your own athletic abilities in the Basketball Challenge and have a go on the racing wheelchair. Tue - Sat, Noon - 5 pm, $4, $10 Family.

Portland Police Museum

1111 SW 2nd Ave., 16th Floor | SW PORTLAND | 503-823-0019
Up on the 16th floor of the Justice Center, you'll find Portland's first traffic Light, and a original talking MacGruff (the Crime Dog). If your friends or family are driving you crazy, lock them up in the jail cell. Free guided tours. Tue - Fri 10 - 3 pm, Free. Donations accepted.

Rice NW Museum of Rocks & Minerals

26385 NW Groveland Dr | HILLSBORO | 503-647-2418
The Museum began in 1938 with agate rocks collected by the Rice family. Since then many more amazing crystallized mineral species and other natural wonders have been collected and displayed. Wed - Sun 1 - 5 pm, $5.

Stark's Vacuum Museum

107 NE Grand Ave | NE PORTLAND | 503-232-4101
A collection of old vacuums from the 1880s to 1960s, Many of which suck - as in don't or never worked so good. A fun excuse to learn the history of this common household machine. Mon - Fri 8 am - 7 pm, Sat 9 - 5pm, Free.

Velveteria

2448 East Burnside Ave.| 503-233-5100
Carl & Caren love the odd and the unusual. After buying one velvet painting, they were hooked, and they've amassed 1000 sad clowns, banditos, and island beauties. Enjoy featured exhibits and the naked lady back room. Fri - Sun, Noon to 5 pm, $5.

Wells Fargo History Museum

1300 SW Fifth Ave. Wells Fargo Lobby | SW PORTLAND | 503-886-1102
See a stunning restored Concord Stagecoach, learn the history of banking and the express service from the days of the Gold Rush and send a Morse code message. Bonus: Find a miniature model of the Portlandia statue. Mon - Fri , 9 am - 6 pm, Free.