Gunderson has been building rail cars in Portland since 1919, and we’re proud to host this exhibit honoring their 100th anniversary. The exhibit features a model of their intermodal well car and other displays celebrating their long history.
A Evening to Celebrate Portland’s Rich History with Trains.
Learn about the
presented by Alexander Craghead
In 1883, railroad financier Henry Villard brought Portland and the Pacific Northwest their first transcontinental railroad. Earning a reputation for boldness on Wall Street, the war correspondent turned entrepreneur set out to establish Portland as a bourgeoning metropolis. To realize his vision, he hired architects McKim, Mead & White to design a massive passenger station and a first-class hotel. The Portland Hotel opened in 1890 and remained the social heart of the city for sixty years. While the original station was never built, Villard returned as a pivotal benefactor of Portland Union Station, saving its iconic clock tower in the process.
Join us as historian Alexander Benjamin Craghead discusses his recently-released book, Railway Palaces of Portland, Oregon: The Architectural Legacy of Henry Villard. Alex will present on the relationship between railway transportation, architecture, and local history. After the presentation, the book will be available for purchase and he will be available to sign copies.
About the presenter: Alexander Benjamin Craghead is a historian of Design + Place. Presently, he teaches for the American Studies program at the University of California at Berkeley. He holds an M.S. in Architecture, (History, Theory, & Society track, also from Berkeley), and is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in architecture.
Don’t miss this special event. Light refreshments will be served. Open to all Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF) members, donors and those who wish to learn more about the ORHF. Please RSVP by replying to this announcement or by sending an email to rsvp@orhf.org by Sunday, June 25th, if you plan to attend.
Not a current member? Join us on June 28th to find out more.
Become a member, or renew, at the door!
Parking onsite at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center is limited.
Please Take MAX or the Portland Streetcar to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center.
While at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, see our new exhibits and catch up on the progress of the activities on the steam locomotives.
Ride the Oregon Pacific Railroad passenger train from the Oregon Rail Heritage Center and back via the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge along the Willamette River Saturdays!
Trains depart the ORHC at 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm and 4:30pm for an approximately 45 minute long round trip.
Tickets for the 2016 Holiday Express are now for sale via the Holiday Express website! Tickets for certain rides tend to go quickly, so take a look at the calendar and book your tickets now for a magical ride with Santa on one of Portland’s most loved holiday traditions. For a little extra inspiration, enjoy this short story, The Real Santa Claus is on the Train, written by author and Holiday Express volunteer Ken Byers.
The Portland Winter Light Festival runs from February 3rd through 6th and will turn the city into a tapestry of light, color, artistry, and performance. The exterior of the Oregon Rail Heritage Center will be illuminated by artist Matthew ‘Roz’ Rosvold as part of the Portland’s colorful transformation during the festival. The area around OMSI — including the ORHC — will include over two dozen different lighted installations. This family-friendly event is a free, all ages, outdoor, community celebration–simply show up and enjoy the fun!
Come view the outside of our lighted building and then explore inside the museum during the festival! The ORHC will be open extended hours this week to match the Winter Light Festival schedule:
Wednesday, 5 to 10 pm
Thursday, 1 to 10 pm
Friday, 1 to 11 pm
Saturday 1 to 11 pm