The McLoughlin Memorial Association
713 Center Street Oregon City, Oregon 97045 U.S.A. 503-656-5146 Map
The McLoughlin House stands today as a reminder of the great contribution Dr. John McLoughlin made to the settlement of the Oregon Country. In 1909, it was threatened with demolition, but a group of concerned local citizens formed the McLoughlin Memorial Association to preserve and protect the house and the legacy of Dr. McLoughlin. They moved the house from its original location by the river up to its present location atop the bluff, restored it, and turned the house into a museum. The McLoughlin Memorial Association continues to actively support the McLoughlin House, in partnership with the National Park Service.
In 1941, the McLoughlin House was designated by Congress as a National Historic Site (the first in the West). It was added to the National Park System in 2003, as a unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. For additional information, visit the National Park Service's website at www.nps.gov/fova/historyculture/mcloughlin-house.htm
The mission of the McLoughlin Memorial Association is to assist in the promotion of Dr. John McLoughlin and his associates through education, interpretation, preservation, respect, and appreciation of our heritage.
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Dr. John McLoughlin was chief factor (superintendent) of the British Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) based at Ft. Vancouver on the Columbia River. The fur trade brought the first permanent white settlers to the area. Dress hats made of beaver fur were worn by men and women around the world. British, French and American trappers swarmed over the western wilderness to bring in the sought-after pelts.
Dr. McLoughlin crossed the Rockies in 1824 and established Ft. Vancouver in 1825. He proved to be a shrewd businessman, but he was always fair in dealing with natives and settlers alike.
When American pioneers arrived on the Oregon Trail, they asked McLoughlin for supplies to help them survive their first winter in Oregon. His kindness to them would eventually cost him his job with the HBC. He had purchased HBC's land claim at Willamette Falls (Oregon City), and he and his family moved into his newly-built mansion in 1846 after being forced to retire. He died in this home in 1857.
Dr. John McLoughlin’s key role in Oregon's early history prompted a later state legislature to name him the ‘Father of Oregon.’
The home opened as a museum in 1910, and it continues to draw thousands of visitors each year from all over the world. It is one of several historic homes in Oregon City which are open to the public. These sites include the Barclay House (which is part of the McLoughlin House Unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site) and the Rose Farm, where the first Oregon Territorial Legislature met in July 1849. Authentic furnishings, artifacts, and early photos take visitors back 150 years to the beginnings of the ‘American West’. Other historic house museums in the area include the Ermatinger House and the Stevens-Crawford House.
Oregon Country
Until 1846, included all land from the crest of the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean and from 54 degrees, 40 minutes North Latitude south to the present California and Nevada state lines. The Oregon Country was reduced in 1846 to the 49th Parallel on the north. This entire area became a territory of the United States in 1848. Eventually the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and parts of Wyoming and Montana were carved from it.
Oregon City
The McLoughlin House National Historic Site is located in the heart of Oregon City's McLoughlin Preservation District. The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is 10 blocks north; the Museum of the Oregon Territory and Willamette Falls are 10 blocks south. The city-owned Carnegie building and 1845 Ermatinger House, where the City of Portland was named, and other examples of early architecture are within walking distance. A municipal elevator (‘vertical street’) takes pedestrians between the river level and the bluff. Depression-era stone work marks steps and a cliff-top promenade dating to the 1850's.
Dr. John McLoughlin Quick Facts:
- Canadian-born (Riviere-du-Loupe, Quebec, 10/19/1784)
- Irish, Scottish and French Descent
- Son of Angelique (Fraser) & John McLoughlin
- Frontier doctor
- Brititsh fur trade officer
- Founder of Fort Vancouver
- Founder of Oregon City
- Prominent businessman, developer, humanitarian
- Oregon City civic leader, city planner, mayor
- American citizen as of 1851
- Wife: Marguerite Wadin McKay
McLoughlin House Hours:
Regular Hours:
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Tours begin next door at the Barclay House. Free admission.
Tours take approximately 45 minutes. For a full-length tour, please arrive by 3:15 p.m.
At this time, wheelchair accessibility to the McLoughlin House is limited due to two entry stairs.
Upcoming Events:
Oregon City is CHARMing 2010
June 1 - October 31, 2010
Build a charm bracelet with charms from participating attractions and businesses in Oregon City! The McLoughlin House and the Rose Farm are participating in the program this year, so come on by and purchase your charms! Charms are $1.00 each, bracelets may be purchased for $5.00 at the three "Jump Off" sites. For more information, visit www.oregoncity.org.
2010 Victorian Handcraft Demonstrations
Saturdays, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Free admission. All demonstrations are hands-on unless otherwise noted.
Pincushions may be plain or fancy, but they're always needed! Make a Victorian novelty of your own.
Nature crafts were both artistic and educational. Learn how to create a lovely picture using Nature's bounty!
Join us for an intriguing look at the mourning customs of the 1800s.
Heritage Holiday
Saturday, December 4, 2010 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. (House closed until 2:00)
Come and celebrate Christmas with the traditions of the 1850s!
2011 Victorian Handcraft Demonstrations
Saturdays, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Free admission. All demonstrations are hands-on unless otherwise noted.
Waste not, want not! Transform unused household items into useful pincushions.
Create lovely translucent landscape images using layers of colored paper.
Make a netted imitation pearl necklace, from an 1859 pattern.
Nature crafts were both artistic and educational. Create rustic home decorations using pine cones and other natural materials.
Decorate your linens with lacy openwork embroidery designs.
Need the perfect finish for a shawl or table runner? Learn different ways to tie decorative knotted fringe.
Learn how to use Nature's bounty to create unique and delicate images.
Create elegant bead fringes to embellish clothing and home decor items.
Create your own heirlooms with this traditional combination of gathered fabric and embroidery.
Learn to embellish fabrics using this very old method of chain-stitch embroidery.
