Expanding Curiosity and Community at the Corvallis Museum

The Corvallis Museum offers visitors an opportunity to expand their knowledge in a space where the care and appreciation for learning and preservation is felt immediately. From the beautiful modern architecture of the building itself, to the thoughtful presentation of the artifacts within it.

The museum is operated by the Benton County Historical Society, in tandem with their Philomath location, and is open between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon through 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. 

The entry fee is $5 for non-members, and free for members, LBCC and OSU students with a valid ID, youths 18 and under, and anyone with an EBT card. 

Museum tours are available by appointment only, and must be booked two weeks in advance via email.

Each display is carefully curated, featuring an eclectic array of art, oddities, and artifacts among the several exhibits on site, all of which come from the society’s collection of over 140,000 items.

Upon entry, visitors quickly notice the museum mascot, “Bruce the Moose,” standing front and center of the lobby, alongside a fossilised mastodon bone, whale scapula, and a toy tractor. 

Just past the front desk and through the doorway on the left is the Fred and Mary Brauti Gallery, host of the museum’s temporary exhibits.  Currently on display is “What Does the Fox Say?” a collaboration between the historical society and Independence-based artist Torin Widhammer. The interactive experience is intended for all ages, and explores the origins of various onomatopoeias around the world. The exhibit is on display until Oct. 26 2025.

Directly across from the doorway, through a brightly lit hallway lies the Collins Family education and event space, where various community events are held.

“Anyone can pay to rent the space,” said Executive Director Jessica Hougen. “We work with a lot of local nonprofits and offer them very reduced or sometimes free use of our space as well, because all nonprofits are struggling right now and the more we can work together to lift each other up, the better it is for the whole community.”

The second story of the museum is where the majority of the permanent exhibits reside, such as “Benton County” and “A College Town,” which feature local treasures that were once displayed in Oregon State University’s Horner Museum, as a part of the Horner Collection.

These exhibits highlight the ways of life that built Benton County as it stands today. From the two-person chainsaw used for logging in the Coastal Range, to the bellbottom jeans which were handsewn as a colorful act of rebellion and self expression during the hippie movement.

The upper floor also houses another temporary exhibit in the Mary C. Verhoeven Gallery. “Put a Bird on It! Finley, Feathers and Fashion,” which explores intersections between the worlds of conservation and industry, all while showcasing some of the highest quality specimens that the Horner Collection has to offer. The exhibit is on display until Oct. 12.

After heading back downstairs, the museum gift shop makes for a perfect exit point, especially for those looking to snag a memento on the way out. It features an assortment of locally made art, jewelry, and books. 

Among these is “Project 562,” a project by Seattle-based photographer Matika Wilbur, who sold everything she owned to travel the world living out of an RV in order to photograph 562 different federally recognized tribes. Starting this fall, the museum is set to feature some of Wilbur’s photographs.

Hougen emphasized her excitement for the collaboration. “She has photographed people from Grand Ronde and Siletz and Warm Springs, so there will be representation of Oregon tribes in the exhibit, and it's just amazing what her work has done. We’re really, really thrilled to be bringing her work here.”

Check out the current exhibits before it's too late, and keep your eyes peeled for the Project 562 exhibit.