Aurora National Historic District, The Old Aurora Colony Museum - Aurora, Oregon

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Aurora National Historic District, The Old Aurora Colony Museum - Aurora, Oregon

This community was founded in 1856 with the leadership stating that “Every man and woman must be a brother or sister to every other man or women in our family under the father hood of God – EVERYDAY.”

The community is an outgrowth of the settlement of Bethel, Missouri which was settled by Keil and his followers.  He bought the land known as George White donation land claim on the Pudding River, a good location to travel to Oregon City along the route that would eventually become the Territorial Highway.  The area already had a saw and grist mill which came from the previous owner.

By the end of 1867 the last wagon train from Bethel arrived which brought the number of citizens to 600.  These pioneers built their own homes, shops and mills on the 18,000 acres of land that Keil had acquired with communal funds.  The citizens were independent, self sustaining and content.  There was always good music, delicious food and community spirit made the founding a solid base for the community to grow.

]Colony Orchards soon made Aurora one of the principal fruit-growing regions of the Northwest along with Colony lumber, shoes, textiles, furniture, tin-ware and baskets were also manufactured in the area.

Although some of the original buildings are gone due to many different situations there are still a number of them for you to see.  In 1974 20 sites were placed on the National Register of Historic places which made Aurora the first historic district in Oregon to be nominated such status by the state.

The Old Aurora Colony Museum is located in a building constructed in 1859 or 1860.  The building has been an ox barn, horse barn, trucking depot, store and home before becoming the museum.

The Hours of the museum: Tuesday – Saturday 11 – 4, Sunday, Noon – 4.

Admission: Adults $6; Seniors 60+ & AAA Members $5; Students $2; Children under 5 Free.

Open: February 1 – December 31.  Closed January.  Closed Major Holidays

Address: Corner of Second and Liberty Streets, Aurora, Oregon 97002

Phone: 503-678-5754

Email: info@auroracolonymuseum.com