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In 1683, Elias Ashmole, an Oxford graduate and true polymath, , the modern world's first public museum. Stocked with his private collection of artifacts, curios, and special scientific equipment, the goal of the museum was to create a center for practical research and the advancement of knowledge. This, Ashmole felt, was a goal "very necessary to humaine life, health [and] the conveniences thereof."

According to figures from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, there are in the United States today. Their collections encompass everything from modern art, like at the MoMA in New York City, to mustard, like at the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin, and everything in between.

Museums are anchors of our communities. The reports that museums support more than 725,000 jobs and contribute upwards of $50 billion to the U.S. economy each year. Three-quarters of Americans agree that museums are an important part of our civil society and have an important role in promoting knowledge and civic engagement.

Beyond their educational and economic significance, museums are just plain fun. Whether you have a developed interest in natural history or just want to learn a little bit more about funerary history (the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston), there's sure to be a museum that strikes your interest. There's simply nothing else quite like spending an afternoon learning about famous figures, arts and crafts, military history, or what else you fancy.

Here, compiled a list of the highest-rated specialty museums in Oregon on as of Aug. 13, 2025. Keep reading to see what unique museums are in your home state. Then, make sure to plan a visit. With many museums facing funding cuts due to the current administration's efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, who's to say how much longer these treasure troves will be available to us?

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#30. Baldwin Hotel Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (54 reviews)
- City: Klamath Falls
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#29. Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum

- Rating: 4.9/5 (86 reviews)
- City: Cave Junction
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#28. Train Mountain Railroad Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (46 reviews)
- City: Chiloquin
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#27. Washed Ashore Gallery & Workshop

- Rating: 4.7/5 (102 reviews)
- City: Bandon
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#26. Oregon Film Museum

- Rating: 3.3/5 (405 reviews)
- City: Astoria
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#25. World Forestry Center - Discovery Museum

- Rating: 4.1/5 (114 reviews)
- City: Portland
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#24. Willamette Heritage Center

- Rating: 4.5/5 (106 reviews)
- City: Salem
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#23. End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

- Rating: 4.0/5 (203 reviews)
- City: not available
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#22. Whale, Sea Life and Shark Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (153 reviews)
- City: Depoe Bay
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#21. Petersen Rock Garden and Museum

- Rating: 3.5/5 (156 reviews)
- City: Redmond Central
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#20. North American Bigfoot Center

- Rating: 4.9/5 (28 reviews)
- City: Boring Clackamas County
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#19. Oregon State Hospital - Museum of Mental Health

- Rating: 4.4/5 (78 reviews)
- City: Salem
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#18. Museum of Natural and Cultural History

- Rating: 4.7/5 (97 reviews)
- City: Eugene
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#17. Umpqua River Lighthouse, Museum,and Gift shop

- Rating: 4.5/5 (234 reviews)
- City: Winchester Bay
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#16. Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals

- Rating: 4.7/5 (190 reviews)
- City: Hillsboro
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#15. Scienceworks Hands-on Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (180 reviews)
- City: Ashland
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#14. Seaside Inverted Experience

- Rating: 4.7/5 (86 reviews)
- City: Seaside
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#13. Ripley's Believe It or Not!

- Rating: 3.4/5 (314 reviews)
- City: Newport
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#12. Gilbert House Children's Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (189 reviews)
- City: Salem
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#11. Freakybuttrue Peculiarium

- Rating: 3.8/5 (103 reviews)
- City: Portland
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#10. The Albany Historic Carousel and Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (257 reviews)
- City: Albany
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#9. Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (428 reviews)
- City: The Dalles
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#8. Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum

- Rating: 4.9/5 (438 reviews)
- City: Hood River
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#7. Tillamook Air Museum

- Rating: 4.0/5 (602 reviews)
- City: Tillamook
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#6. Flavel House Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (601 reviews)
- City: Astoria
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#5. Columbia River Maritime Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,853 reviews)
- City: Astoria
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#4. Portland Art Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,183 reviews)
- City: Portland
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#3. Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,607 reviews)
- City: McMinnville
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#2. High Desert Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,997 reviews)
- City: Bend Central
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#1. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,678 reviews)
- City: Portland
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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