UNION, OREGON__The Union County Museum is happy to announce they will host two events in early May to get the 2023 season under way. Both events are free to attend and are open to the public.
Thursday, May 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., the museum has invited the Union County Chamber of Commerce to hold their Business After Hours in the museum. The evening offers a great opportunity for guests to get a sneak peek at new exhibits and longtime favorites throughout the four buildings the museum comprises. (Note, the Little White Church across Main Street from the museum will not be open for this event) Museum Society volunteers and members of the board of directors will be on hand to welcome visitors and conduct casual tours of the exhibits. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided.
Business After Hours takes place most months and is intended to showcase members of the chamber of commerce and provide an opportunity for visiting, getting familiar with other chamber members and showing support for the business community and chamber of commerce. Everyone is invited and City of Union officials and the City of Union Chamber members are especially encouraged to attend. We thank the Union County Chamber for this opportunity.
Sunday, Mother’s Day, May 14, from 1 to 4 p.m., is the official opening day of the museum’s 2023 season. Spend some time during your holiday to explore the museum, dig into your family’s history, visit with neighbors and newcomers, and get to know the Union County Museum. We guarantee you will be impressed with the quality of exhibits and the depth of information available.
Curator Sharon Hohstadt and her volunteers have worked all winter, cataloguing new items and working on seasoned, as well as new, displays. Board President Nod Palmer will point out facility improvements that have been achieved due to the generosity of our donors and grants.
Admission to the annual event is free and refreshments will be available. Board members and volunteers look forward to showing museum patrons through the exhibits, including the new display of Mid-Century Glass and an exhibit about the history of the S.E. Miller (known as Wildwood) House at the North end of Main Street in Union.
In addition to exhibits ranging from the Livery Station, General Store, and pioneer era cabin to the area’s natural history and more, the museum is home to the Cowboys Then & Now Collection, which was acquired from the Oregon Beef Council and moved to Union from its original home near the Lloyd Center in Portland.
While admission to the museum is free on Mother’s Day, the museum board of directors encourages people to join the Union County Museum Society to support the mission of collecting, preserving, and presenting our area’s history. Membership starts at just $10 a year for individuals and includes free admission throughout the year. A quarterly newsletter is sent to members, as well. For just $50 a year you can be a Supporting Member and help ensure the museum continues its important role in Union County.
The museum is seeking volunteers, with activities ranging from being a host to working on new projects and necessary tasks. To learn more about volunteering, please contact Nod Palmer, Museum Society President, history@ucmuseumoregon.com or leave a voice message at 541.562.6003.