Tualatin Historical Society

Tualatin Historical Society The THS was formed in 1986 by Loyce Martinazzi and the late Karen Lafky Nygaard to preserve, promote and interpret the rich and colorful history of Tualatin.

The Tualatin Historical Society began in 1986. Co-founders Loyce Martinazzi and the late Karen Lafky Nygaard thought their interest in Tualatin's early days might be shared by others. They were correct. Early programs, held in the then-new Senior Center and built around a theme -early schools, Oregon Trail settlers, covered bridges - drew good crowds. Many activities and publications have followed

, fulfilling the society’s mission "to preserve, promote and interpret the rich and colorful history of Tualatin”:

Pictorial calendars were published for the years 1988-199l. In 1988 the Society held a Diamond Jubilee Ball in Ramada Inn celebrating Tualatin's 75th birthday. In 1990 Society members dismantled the 1875 Hedges House with a plan to re-erect it downtown - the plan came to naught but John Bowles built a charming miniature of the quaint farmhouse for exhibit. In 1991 we helped raise $8,000 to have the collection of mastodon bones assembled by the University of Oregon for a standing display in Tualatin's original library. In 1994 we published, updated in 2004, Tualatin...From the Beginning, Tualatin’s history from the time of ancient mastodon to the building of the upscale Tualatin Commons. In 2002, we launched a digital conservation project to preserve our collection of 2000 historic photos (Tualatin’s Visual Chronicle). In mid-2003, Tualatin’s oldest church, built in 1926, was suddenly given to the THS, but it needed to be moved due to commercial development. Thanks to hundreds of volunteers and the City of Tualatin, we raised over $400,000 in cash and in-kind donations. The building was relocated July 17 and grand opening was held February 11, 2006. It now serves as the Tualatin Heritage Center. The opening of the Center is celebrated each February with a program on some aspect of Tualatin's history. A Heritage Garden planted next to the Center holds descendants of flowers and plants from the early settlers, including the Robbins rose that came over the Oregon Trail and hop plants from an early hop yard. Funds for the garden, $13,000 to date, have been raised by the sale of engraved bricks in the courtyard. In addition, the THS has sponsored harvest festivals, barn dances, Oregon pioneer days for 4th graders, a Winona Cemetery Stroll at Twilight (where 25 early settlers "emerged" from behind their gravestones to tell their story), Tualatin's First Hundred Years, a narrated video of early Tualatin scenes, mini-museums in the Van Raden Center at Crawfish Festivals, tours of historic houses, strawberry festivals and elegant teas at the Sweek House. Currently, we have an ongoing program of recording oral histories; some are included in the four books in the Tualatin-the-way-It-Was series. Last year the THS published a Little Red Schoolhouse coloring book. THS membership now totals more than 200. The Society's board meets on the first Wednesday of each month and holds monthly programs with guest speakers on the first Wednesday at 1:00 pm in the Center which are open to the public.

What do you do when a beloved century-old building is about to be demolished? If you're the Tualatin Historical Society,...
09/07/2026

What do you do when a beloved century-old building is about to be demolished? If you're the Tualatin Historical Society, you move it — literally.

08/31/2026

Turning back the clock for our ONLY FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR on Friday September 11. The building we now call the Heritage Center celebrates its 100th birthday this year. ‍
‍ ‍https://www.tualatinhistory.org/heritage-evening ‍

🕰️Heavy appetizers and sweet treats by Elka Bees / generous NW wine pours, beer and other drinks approved by the Revenue Man. 😊

🕰️Tualatin through the decades trivia game and prizes.‍ ‍

🕰️Host and MC is Mayor Frank Bubenik / Live jazz by Don Schlesinger.‍ ‍

🕰️Gift cards / wine pull / raffle tickets (only 300 will be sold with prizes of $500, $250 and $100).‍ ‍

🕰️Wear a costume which celebrates your favorite decade. ‍ ‍

🕰️Time has stood still with the entry price. It remains, as it was in 2020, at $50 for those who book now. ‍‍ ‍

We would appreciate your advance reservation to make sure there are enough vittles on hand.

‍ ‍https://www.tualatinhistory.org/heritage-evening

We are turning back the clocks at Heritage Evening 2026!
08/24/2026

We are turning back the clocks at Heritage Evening 2026!

Turn back the clock with us at Heritage Evening

08/22/2026

Time flies…

But at this year’s Heritage Evening we are turning back the clock.
The building we now call the Heritage Center celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

Friday, September 11 / 5:30pm-8:00pm / Heritage Center

🕰️Heavy appetizers and sweet treats by Elka Bees / generous NW wine pours, beer and other drinks approved by the Revenue Man. 😊
🕰️Tualatin through the decades trivia game and prizes.
🕰️Host and MC is Mayor Frank Bubenick / Live jazz by Don Schesinger.
🕰️Gift cards / wine pull / raffle tickets (only 300 will be sold with prizes of $500, $250 and $100).
🕰️Wear a costume which celebrates your favorite decade.
🕰️Time has stood still with the entry price. It remains, as it was in 2020, at $50 for those who book now.

We would appreciate your advance reservation to make sure there are enough vittles on hand.
https://www.tualatinhistory.org/heritage-evening

!FREE!: Join us Wednesday August 5th at 1pm at The Tualatin Heritage Center (8700 SW Sweek) Another great presentatio...
07/15/2026

!FREE!: Join us Wednesday August 5th at 1pm at The Tualatin Heritage Center (8700 SW Sweek) Another great presentation about the 100 year old building we now call home.: Part 3: The Move.
****PLUS stay for birthday cake!****

FREE Family Fun at the 2026 Northwest Fossil Fest.Saturday August 1st 10-4 Tualatin Heritage Center. 8700 SW Sweek.
07/08/2026

FREE Family Fun at the 2026 Northwest Fossil Fest.
Saturday August 1st 10-4
Tualatin Heritage Center. 8700 SW Sweek.

06/29/2026

Update on our Member Norm Parker. Larry McClure visited him today at his new care facility and found Norm in great spirits! Thoughts and prayers to him as he recovers from his fall last month. Picture credit from the Tualatin Historical Society newsletter last week

A sweet way to support our historical Winona Grange.
06/28/2026

A sweet way to support our historical Winona Grange.

Since 1895, Winona Grange has been bringing people together in Tualatin, Oregon. We offer opportunities for individuals and families to serve their community, develop leadership skills, support local agriculture, and enjoy educational and social events in our historic Grange Hall.When you....

Got a few minutes to travel back decades? Enjoy this beautiful new video from THS and TVCTV.
06/08/2026

Got a few minutes to travel back decades? Enjoy this beautiful new video from THS and TVCTV.

In this second of a three part series board member Larry McClure invites you to share the memories that have been made in our home: The Tualatin Heritage Center. Pictured is the 1961 Kindergarten Christmas Party in the basement when the Heritage Center was still the Methodist Church.

Address

8700 SW Sweek Drive
Tulatin, OR
97062

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 2pm
Tuesday 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 10am - 2pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm
Friday 10am - 2pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Tualatin Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Tualatin Historical Society:

Shortcuts

Share

Category