"School's Out"

Field Trip Fund

Since we launched the program in 2022, the Mertie’s Time Machine program has served over 3,600 students in our region. We’ve generously received grants to offer reduced admission for students of these field trips. However, we would like to expand field trip programs to the Museum of the Oregon Territory and need funds to cover costs for materials, program development, and student admissions to keep our cost at $5.00 per student.

The

Preservation

Fund

Preserving more than 35,000 artifacts requires a stable, climate-controlled environment. Historic documents, photographs, textiles, furniture, and artifacts are vulnerable to damage from fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Your support helps maintain the systems that protect artifacts housed in our collections. A gift of $2,000 sponsors one month of collection preservation, helping safeguard Clackamas County’s history for future generations.

$23,320 raised out of
$ 25,000

Help make a difference for history!

Everything is getting more expensive.

Like many small museums across the country, we are facing rising costs and fewer reliable funding opportunities. The truth is simple: it costs more than ever to preserve local history and keep it accessible to our community.

From keeping the museum open to archival supplies and educational materials, every expense has increased. These are the essential costs that allow us to preserve and share Clackamas County’s history while welcoming thousands of visitors and students each year.

Grant funding is becoming harder to secure.

Grants that once helped support our museums have become increasingly competitive and uncertain. Many funding organizations are receiving more applications than ever before while awarding fewer grants. Even successful grant applications often only fund specific projects and rarely cover the everyday costs that keep museums open and serving the public.

We’ve worked hard to make every dollar count. But today, we’re at a turning point.

With a staff of only three and the support of over 40 dedicated volunteers, we:

• Run two museums.
• Serve more than 1,000 students each year through our education programs.
• Preserve and digitize local history collections.
• Create exhibits, present engaging history programs, and produce online content that connects our community with local history.

Your support will help us keep our museum doors open, care for our collections, and expand education programs, ensuring future generations can connect with the stories of Oregon’s past.

Make a direct donation, or purchase a membership

Every contribution makes a difference. You can donate directly to CCHS online via our Paypal. Want to become a sustaining member? Visit our membership page. and join today! As soon as your membership is processed you can begin immediately enjoying your benefits such as free admission, gift shop discounts, preferential seating, and more. Corporate sponsorships and memberships are also available to local businesses.

Give to the campaign on GoFundMe

For the official Make The Summer Historic campaign, we have launched a GoFundMe giving campaign! You can view the giving campaign and donate here.

Important Note: when donating through GoFundMe, if prompted to “Tip GoFundMe Services,” please know that tips do not go to the Clackamas County Historical Society and only go to GoFundMe. If you want to reduce the tip or would prefer not to tip, drag the percentage bar to the left until it shows “0%,” or click on the link that says “Enter Custom Tip” and enter $0.00.

Spread the word

Don't let the future of history fade quietly into the dark. We are encouraging our followers and donors to talk about their experiences and their passion for the past. Tell your friends and family about the campaign, share official CCHS content on your social media platform of choice, and share the positive experiences our museums have had in your life and in your community. If you would like to reach out in other ways, contact us at media@clackamashistory.org.

Testimonials

Your support means everything to us.

Small museums like ours rely on community support to survive and thrive. Together, we can preserve Clackamas County history for generations to come.