Five Oaks Museum History and Legacy of Washington County

The Five Oaks Museum, formerly known as the Washington County Museum, served as a vital repository for the history of Washington County, Oregon. Located at the Rock Creek campus of Portland Community College (PCC) north of Beaverton, the museum was dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of the region.

Early History and Development

The roots of the museum date back to the 1930s when local historian Albert E. Tozier donated a vast collection of maps, books, and artifacts to the county historical society. These items were initially displayed at the Carnegie Library in Hillsboro starting in 1939. The Washington County Historical Society was officially incorporated in 1956.

After exploring various locations, including Shute Park, the county established a formal history museum in 1975. From 1975 to 1987, the museum was owned and operated by Washington County and was housed in the Heidel Home in downtown Hillsboro.

Expansion and the Move to PCC

In January 1983, a new facility opened at the PCC Rock Creek campus. By September 1987, the Washington County Historical Society assumed operational control. The museum underwent a significant $1.7 million expansion in 2008, more than doubling its size to accommodate growing collections and visitor needs.

The Hillsboro Civic Center Era (2012–2017)

In November 2012, the museum moved its public exhibit space to the Hillsboro Civic Center to increase accessibility and visibility. This 12,400-square-foot space hosted various temporary and permanent exhibits, including:

• A traveling NASA exhibit on the Hubble Space Telescope.
• An exploration of the Silicon Forest development in Washington County.
• The history of the Bracero Program.
• A spotlight on the history of baseball in the county, coinciding with the launch of the Hillsboro Hops.

Return to PCC and Final Years

In September 2017, the board voted to move the exhibits back to the PCC Rock Creek campus, as the expected increase in attendance from the downtown location had not materialized. In January 2020, the institution was rebranded as the Five Oaks Museum in honor of a local historic site.

Despite its efforts to preserve local history, the museum closed its doors in December 2024 due to a lack of funding. Following the closure, the building returned to the ownership of PCC, and the historical collections were returned to Washington County.