Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find answers to many FAQs at the Willamette Heritage Center below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the FAQ below, please contact us.
At the Willamette Heritage Center, we host tours for school and community groups, rent out private event venues, provide high quality educational programs for youth and adults, and so much more. Read through to find answers to common questions, and start planning your next visit today. If you still have questions, we are happy to assist you in any way. If you need to speak with a WHC representative, please call (503) 585-7012, or email info@willametteheritage.org. We look forward to seeing you soon!
We’re glad you’re here! Besides our historic site, the Salem area offers lots to explore.
- Other Nearby Cultural Attractions: Salem Multicultural Institute. Deepwood Museum & Gardens, Bush House Musem, Gilbert House Children’s Museum, Keizer Heritage Foundation & Musuem, and Silverton Historic Walking Tour, to name a few, are just a short drive away.
- Family Fun: Travel Salem’s website has great ideas for families: https://www.travelsalem.com/things-to-do/family-fun/
- More Ideas & Planning: Kayak’s Salem Travel Guide is also helpful.
We hope you enjoy your stay in the Willamette Valley!
No, but if you’d like to become a member after you begin to volunteer, we offer a $5 discount.
You’ll meet with our Education & Volunteer Coordinator to discuss options. If agreement is reached, an orientation will be scheduled.
For more information on planned giving and including the WHC in your will, contact Michelle Cordova, or review the information on our website at:
ALL Membership Levels Include:
- Free Unlimited Admission to the museum, exhibits, and research library
- Invitations to members-only exhibit opening receptions
- Subscription to our newsletter
- 10% discount on museum items in the gift shop
- Discounts on events, classes, and lectures
- Free admission to Magic at the Mill, our five-day holiday lights festival Fri-Mon after Thanksgiving.
All Memberships last one full year and can be renewed annually.
To learn more about our membership benefits, visit willametteheritage.org/membership/.
As a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, WHC will send you a receipt with our tax ID number on it for you to submit to your tax professional.
- Please unload students if you have chaperones to keep them gathered and safe
- Please send a representative to the Visitors’ desk in the Warehouse to let staff know you have arrived and take care of fees and any paperwork
- Staff will give your further instructions on where students will go and dividing into groups
- Buses can drop students off at designated area in front of the Warehouse building.
- A representative of the WHC will inform the driver where to park
Usually this will be along the West side of the parking lot, parallel to the Mill Street fence
- We have picnic tables scattered around our grounds and along the mill race
- In case of rain we try to accommodate you in a building but cannot guarantee availability
If no space is available, we suggest you eat in your bus or vehicles
- Our policy is to begin and  end at the scheduled times
- Our tour guides and activity leaders are volunteers who have generously offered to share their time with your students
- Groups over 15 minutes late may have their visits reduced by a corresponding amount of time
- Your deposit is non – refundable
- We can hold your deposit up to one year from your original date to allow for rescheduling
- Please notify our Education Manager as soon as possible by phone 503-585-7012. ext. 221 or via email at education@willametteheritage.org
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- Changes of 3 more or 3 less are expected as routine
- Please notify our Education & Volunteer Coordinator, Erica Osorio, as soon as possible by phone 503-585-7012 x254 for any other changes
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- We require one adult chaperone for every five students
- These can be teachers, parents, volunteers or other staff
- Any adults over this one adult to five student ratio will be charged the student rate
- We open at 10:00 Monday through Saturday
- When scheduling your times, please allow time for unloading buses, restroom breaks and dividing students into groups
- Please complete an information request form online, or call our Education Department at 503-585-7012, Monday through Friday from 9:00-4:00
- A confirmed reservation and deposit MUST be in place at least two weeks before your visit