Yamhill County History Museum

Yamhill County History Museum History Museum showcasing the history of Yamhill County.

Our mission is to connect our community by bringing history to life, preserving and sharing the stories of Yamhill County.

⚾🇺🇸 Tomorrow, history comes alive! 🇺🇸⚾The Yamhill County History Museum invites you to spend a day celebrating the tradi...
06/26/2026

⚾🇺🇸 Tomorrow, history comes alive! 🇺🇸⚾

The Yamhill County History Museum invites you to spend a day celebrating the traditions that brought communities together over 140 years ago.

Join us for American Past Times on Saturday, June 27, and experience a day packed with vintage baseball, live music, hands-on family activities, and living history demonstrations.

🌟 Special Highlights

🎤 Award-winning Blues & Gospel singer Rae Gordon performs the National Anthem.

🎺 Whiskey Flats Brass Band brings the sounds of early America throughout the day.

🎙️ Hear every play called by John Olson, the beloved Voice of the Gristmillers.

⚾ Former Major League All-Star Scott Brosius throws the ceremonial First Pitch before the Vintage Base Ball Game.

🐴 Watch traditional Haying Demonstrations and Wheel Setting, showcasing the skills that built rural Oregon.

🏆 Passport Challenge

Collect stamps as you enjoy family favorites like:
⚾ Vintage Base Ball
🎈 Balloon Toss
🥄 Egg & Spoon Race
🛍 Sack Race
💪 Tug-of-War
🍦 Ice Cream Making
🌽 Co****le
🎯 Ring Toss
🌾 Needle in the Haystack
…and many more!

Complete your Passport for a chance to win great prizes!

Whether you're cheering from the sidelines, learning something new, or introducing the next generation to old-fashioned fun, American Past Times is a celebration of community, history, and summertime traditions.

📍 Yamhill County History Museum
📅 Saturday, June 27

Come experience the 1880s... because history isn't just something you read about. It's something you can play.

Tag someone who would love a day of vintage baseball and old-fashioned family fun! ❤️

06/26/2026

🇺🇸 A huge THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors!

Jack Maxwell III Agency - American Family Insurance & Heritage Grove Federal Credit Union

​Because of your generous support, "American Past Times: A Celebration of Americana" will be a spectacular success! Together, we will celebrate the rich history and enduring spirit of our community.

​We are so grateful for your partnership in bringing this event to life for our local McMinnville community and beyond.

​Please join us in thanking:

​American Family Insurance
​Heritage Grove Federal Credit Union

​Let's do it again!

​

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors! Jack Maxwell III Agency - American Family Insurance and Heritage Grove Fede...
06/26/2026

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors!

Jack Maxwell III Agency - American Family Insurance and Heritage Grove Federal Credit Union

Because of your generous support, "American Past Times: A Celebration of Americana" will be a spectacular success. Together, we will celebrate the rich history and enduring spirit of America through classic cars, nostalgic art, and a vibrant community gathering.

We are so grateful for your partnership. Your contribution helped bring this event to life for our local McMinnville community and beyond.

Let's do it again!

Long before The Wizard of Oz famously wowed the world by stepping into Technicolor in 1939, color was already saturating...
06/26/2026

Long before The Wizard of Oz famously wowed the world by stepping into Technicolor in 1939, color was already saturating the photography market. But did you know that 30 years before that color explosion, photographers were using a completely different, handwritten style of art to bring images to life? 📸🎨

Here at the museum, we love uncovering these hidden details, and this incredible tintype photo from 1880 is the perfect example!

Tintypes became wildly popular starting in the late 1840s as the second major photography technique in history. But by today’s standards, the camera couldn't capture actual color. Instead, artists took matters into their own hands—literally!

Take a closer look at this well-to-do family portrait. If you look closely, you can spot the hand-tinted details added after the photo was taken:
🎀 A subtle pink ribbon
✨ Glints of gold on the earrings
🌸 A soft, rosy flush on the cheeks

This painstaking process of adding pigment by hand added an extra step to production, creating a beautiful hybrid of photography and painting that gave families a unique, treasured keepsake. It’s a technique that early filmmakers would later adapt in the 1920s to add color to silent movies!

Next time you visit us at the Yamhill County History Museum, see how many hand-colored tintypes you can spot in our galleries!

👇 Do you have any old family tintypes passed down through your generations? Tell us about them in the comments!🌲🏛️

06/23/2026

🌾 Step back in time with us! 🌾

Ever wonder what farming looked like before modern tractors took over? Join us for American Pastimes: Hay Day on June 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! 🐴✨

Listen to Wayne Beckwith share his 48 years of experience working with draft horses and mules, and learn how early farmers managed the grueling work of haying in the 1880s compared to today. From live mowing and raking demonstrations to a special showcase on how to set a tire on a wooden wheel, it’s a full day of living history you won't want to miss!

🌤️ Rain or shine, the show goes on!
📍 Yamhill County History Museum (McMinnville, OR)
💻 Plan your visit: www.yamhillcountyhistory.org

We're at KGW getting ready to appear on , Rose City at KGW-TV Portland.
06/23/2026

We're at KGW getting ready to appear on , Rose City at KGW-TV Portland.

👉 Count down to American Past Times. You'll want to take part in what's planned.Balloon Toss: Balloon Toss: Happy Accide...
06/23/2026

👉 Count down to American Past Times. You'll want to take part in what's planned.

Balloon Toss: Balloon Toss: Happy Accident! 🎈

Did you know the water balloon was actually invented by accident? In the 1950s, a man named Edgar Ellington was trying to create a waterproof sock to help protect people’s feet. While testing his idea, he filled a small balloon with water. When the balloon leaked, he got frustrated and tossed it away… SPLAT! It burst! 💦

Instead of seeing it as a mistake, Edgar realized a water-filled balloon was actually pretty fun. Soon, water balloons became a popular toy, and kids started creating games with them, including the classic Balloon Toss!

In baseball's earliest days, catching barehanded was a point of pride. Players who wanted protection were often mocked a...
06/23/2026

In baseball's earliest days, catching barehanded was a point of pride. Players who wanted protection were often mocked and called "soft" or "weaklings."

Trivia question:
When did gloves become standard gear in base ball?

American Past Times is going to be an Outstanding event! This is one of the activities we have planned 😎🥚 Egg and Spoon ...
06/22/2026

American Past Times is going to be an Outstanding event! This is one of the activities we have planned 😎

🥚 Egg and Spoon Race: A ClassicEgg and Spoon Race: A Classic Game of Balance!

The egg and spoon race may look simple, but it has been challenging kids (and adults!) for generations! The game began in Victorian England in the late 1800s, where it was played at village celebrations and community gatherings. As families immigrated to the United States, they brought this fun tradition with them.

By the early 1900s, the egg and spoon race had become a favorite at American picnics, school field days, and community celebrations. It was a simple game that didn’t require much equipment - just an egg, a spoon, and a little patience!

The Legacy of the LandThere is a unique kind of strength found in fathers who work the farm. It’s in the dirt under his ...
06/21/2026

The Legacy of the Land

There is a unique kind of strength found in fathers who work the farm. It’s in the dirt under his fingernails, the weathered lines on his face, and the quiet patience it takes to watch things grow—both the crops in the field and the children by his side.

On a farm, lessons aren't just taught; they are lived. A father passes down the rhythm of the seasons, the value of a hard day's work, and the resilience to keep going when the weather doesn't cooperate. To a little boy or girl, he isn’t just a dad—he’s a teacher, a protector, and a real-life hero in a cowboy hat.

The bond built in a barn, sharing a heavy lift or a quiet moment after a long day's chore, is one that stands the test of time.

Today, we honor the grit, the dedication, and the deep love of all the fathers and father figures who have shaped our families and our agricultural history.

Happy Father’s Day from all of us at the Yamhill County History Museum! 🌾🚜

Address

11275 SW Durham Lane
McMinnville, OR
97128

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+15034722842

Website

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