Learn From Home

Whether you homeschool, want enriching activities for your kids, or you personally want to learn more about our local history, we have several activities to help you achieve your goal.

WHC 2004.010.0083

History Pin Tours 

Take a literal or virtual tour through our local history.  These thematic tours take you on a walk through the sites and scenes where local history happened.  Pull the map up on your phone and take a walk to see the sites in person (keeping CDC recommended 6 feet of space), do a drive by tour or just scroll through on your home laptop. 

Tour Index: 

WHC 2015.025.0018

Built by Beer:  A history of the hops industry in Salem 

A walking tour that explores the brewing history and heritage of Salem, Oregon.

The front of a historic postcard.

X2013.8.1

1930s Picture Postcard Salem

Greetings from Salem, Oregon! This tour is based on a souvenir folder of postcards from the collection of the Willamette Heritage Center (X2013.8.1)

Photo from a History Pin as part of the Social Distancing Learning Resources

Advertisement appeared in the CAPITAL JOURNAL newspaper, 31 May 1924.

https://www.historypin.org/en/electric-alley/

Businesses near Electric Alley in Salem, Oregon in the early 20th Century that utilized new electric appliances and helped get them into Salem homes.

Photo from a History Pin as part of the Social Distancing Learning Resources

Mission House M3 1986-007-0002

https://www.historypin.org/en/methodist-mission-sites/

This tour was researched and compiled by Ross Sutherland (Marion County Historical Society) in 2006 for a reunion of Methodist Mission descendants.

WHC 2007.001.0337

https://www.historypin.org/en/schooldays/

Historic school buildings in Salem, Oregon from the first log cabin school erected in 1850 thru 1915.

Photo from a History Pin as part of the Social Distancing Learning Resources

Baumgartner House – SHINE

https://www.historypin.org/en/on-the-move/

Historic Salem residences and structures that have changed locations over time.

Photo from a History Pin as part of the Social Distancing Learning Resources

Eola School – Early, WHC 2007.001.0367

https://www.historypin.org/en/historic-eola/

Just off Highway 22, now incorporated into the town of West Salem lies the pioneer community of Eola.

Photo from a History Pin as part of the Social Distancing Learning Resources

Court Street Dairy WHC 1984.053.0205

https://www.historypin.org/en/salem-50-business-club/

Salem businesses that have survived in the downtown core for more than 50 years and are still in operation today.

Circus Parade 2007.001.0520

https://www.historypin.org/en/strike-up-the-band-parades/

Parades and celebrations from the history of Salem, Oregon.

Photo from a History Pin as part of the Social Distancing Learning Resources

Hubbard School WHC 2009.054.0072

https://www.historypin.org/en/hubbard-on-the-road-to-a-thousand-wonders/

Just a few blocks off the commercial corridor of 99E in a quiet neighborhood, lie the historic remnants of a once-bustling pioneer town.

Couch Historian Web Courses

Have a computer? Stuck at home? Our Research Library and Archives mascot Maude A. Spider will teach you how to navigate the interwebs and learn more about your local history from the comfort of your own home. Hone your online research skills, learn about free web resources and learn how to spin your own histories in her weekly web episodes. Test your new skills with a skills test worksheet!  Learn more about researching Mid-Willamette Valley History and the Willamette Heritage Center at www.willametteheritage.org/research.

Episodes:

Episode 1 (March 25): How old is this house?

An introduction to the Marion County Assessor’s Office Property Records, City of Salem’s Historic Building Map and the Oregon Historic Sites Database.

Download the practice exercises here: How Old is this House? Practice Exercises
Download the answer key here: How Old is this House? Answer Key

Episode 2 (April 1): All the News

Have a computer? Stuck at home? Our Research Library and Archives mascot Maude A. Spider will teach you how to navigate the interwebs and learn more about learn more about your local history from the comfort of your own home.

In this week’s episode we will explore two free, online newspaper databases:

All websites are free to use and open to the public!

Want to test out your newly honed research skills? Try your hand at this worksheet, that has challenges that can be answered by using the websites featured.

Download the practice exercises here: All the News Practice Exercises
Download the answer key here: All the News Answer Key

Episode 3 (April 8): Fun With Historical Maps

In today’s episode we go back to what Oregon looked like in the 1850s and 1860s and introduce how to use Government Land Office Records and translate them to modern maps.

We’ll explore:

Want to test out your newly honed research skills? Try your hand at this worksheet, that has challenges that can be answered by using the websites featured.

Download the practice exercises here: Fun with Historical Maps Practice Exercises
Download the answer key here: Fun With Historical Maps Answer Key

Episode 4 (April 15): Introduction to Census Records

In today’s episode we look at Census Records and what they can tell us about people living in our community in the past.

We’ll explore:

***Note: Both of these resources are free to access, but you will need to set up a free account with FamilySearch.org to access their materials.

Want to test out your newly honed research skills? Try your hand at this worksheet, that has challenges that can be answered by using the websites featured.

Download the practice exercises here: Introduction to Census Records Practice Exercises
Download the blank census tracking form here: Census Tracking Form

Download the answer key here: Introduction to Census Records Answer Key

Episode 5: Finding Historic Photographs Online

In today’s episode, explore eight websites that can help you on your search for historical photographs documenting this history of the Mid-Willamette Valley.

We’ll explore resources from:

Want to test out your newly honed research skills? Try your hand at this worksheet, that has challenges that can be answered by using the websites featured.

Download the practice exercises here: Finding Historic Photographs Online Practice Exercises
Download the answer key here: Finding Historical Photographs Online Answer Key

Episode 6: Marion County Surveys and Deeds

In today’s episode, we’ll introduce two simple tools for finding property records, deeds and surveys in Marion County, Oregon.

We’ll look at the:


Want to test out your newly honed research skills? Try your hand at this worksheet, that has challenges that can be answered by using the websites featured.

Download the practice exercises here: Marion County Surveys and Deeds Practice Sheet
Download the answer key here: Marion County Surveys and Deeds Answer Key

Episode 7: Walk around the Historical Block

In today’s episode, we’ll introduce two simple tools for accessing Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps in Salem, Oregon. These maps are like little time capsules outlining what blocks used to look like years ago.

We will look at the 1895 Map from the Library Congress Digital Collections (open and free access to anyone with the internet!): https://www.loc.gov/item/sanborn07453_004/

We will also show you how to access an Online Sanborn Maps database for free with a Salem Public Library Card! https://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/library.aspx

Tom Kay at Thomas Kay Woolen Mills. M3 1992-105-0008

Tom Kay Walking Tour

Take a tour of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill with fourth generation owner/operator Tom Kay.  This video tour gives a little background about the history of the mill and the people who made it run.  Click here to explore.

Lesson Plans 

Looking for some guidance in how to teach your kids some history at home? Check out the following curriculum created for classroom use. 

Old Marion As They Knew Her 

Old Marion As They Knew Her: Lesson Guide 

Welcome to Marion County in 1900!  This guide includes 10 lessons looking at how county has changed over the last century or more. 

Pinterest Education Activity Boards

Looking for educational activities or to learn a new skill?  Check out the WHC’s Education boards on Pinterest for fun and boredom busting! 

https://www.pinterest.com/WHCSalem/boards/

Oral History Interviews 

Tired of Netflix?  Been through all your podcasts?  Take a listen to some local stories in the WHC’s Voices of the Valley project.  Interviews from people past and present.

https://www.willametteheritage.org/collections/voices/ 

Spooky Stories

Take a walking tour through some eerie stories from Salem’s past.  Learn more here: https://www.willametteheritage.org/spookystories/

Kids in the Archives

Explore the stories of kids, just like you, who have lived in past times.  Read actual historic documents from the archives that they wrote and used.  Record your own story!