This museum is obviously a labor of love for the people who work here…read more I was surprised by the size and variety of the exhibits. I especially enjoyed the exhibits highlighting the communities of Polk County, large and small, even the ones now ghost towns. I learned a lot from my visit here; for example, Camp Adair, a World War II military installation once located nearby, was once the second largest community in the state of Oregon and served as a detention center for Italian and German POWs. Many of the personal items displayed, especially upstairs, were poignant reminders of the passage of time. Also, the agricultural history displays were more interesting than they might sound, and I learned that Dallas, Oregon once carried the nickname of "Prune City." It looked like they had some local history books for sale, as well as some miscellaneous cookbooks and other books that didn't seem to have a local focus. Admission was five dollars, and at the time I visited, their credit card reader was not working, so cash was required. The restaurant next door has an atm that comes in handy if, like me, you don't have any cash with you. If you are at all curious about the history of the area, I definitely recommend this well-rounded museum!

If you're in the area this has to be on your to-do list. Plan to spend AT LEAST an hour there. This…read morearea has lots of history and you will want to have time to read some stories. All the staff there are very passionate about what they do. The gift shop also has some unique items. Don't just drive by!

Took my grandson today and it was very fun and informative for both of us. Great effort was made to…read moremake it fun for children as well. Lots of hands on activities. We will visit often.Thank you

An exceptional effort for a small town in one of Oregon's poorest counties. The young woman often…read moreon duty is, I believe, a degreed professional in museum management, and it shows. Admission is free, but there is a plastic receptacle near the entry station for donations. I am elderly, grew up around here, and can tell you that the displays capture aspects of valley life that have vanished forever.

More exploring Salem, OR. The Deepwood Garden House tours were done for the day, but I was able to…read morecatch a late tour of the Bush House down the street. You pick up free tickets at the Bush Barn Art Center that's across the back parking lot. There's a beautiful rose garden on one side of the house, and the Willamette Stadium on the other side. Once inside the home, you can see it's been beautifully kept. Most things including the wallpaper are original. The tour guide played an organ which uses rolls of paper with punched out holes in them to make music. That was pretty neat. The bedrooms were impressive, but the kitchen was my favorite. Lots of old fashioned doodads and weird oven taking up a chunk of the room. I learned about the many tribes that lived in Oregon and also the Bush family's seriously racist stance. It was an informative and entertaining experience. I'd recommend it.

What a stunning place to visit on a spring day! The gardens were so beautiful and the museum + barn…read moregallery spaces were so amazing! Who knew Salem had such an exquisite place to view art and history? A gem of the city for sure.

This is the (often literally) beating heart of Mount Angel's seasonal festivities: a massive,…read moreBavarian-style community center, within which the largest, rowdiest and most festive events can be found! With its high ceilings and spacious interior, it's a safe gathering place, even amidst the Covid crisis (although masks and social distancing are still recommended, as much as possible, especially around drunk people). Here, you frequently find live music (polka!), beers, ciders and other beverages on tap, a modest if unspectacular grill (Pro Tip #1: eat elsewhere during festive events), and actual restrooms (Pro Tip #2: forget the Honey Buckets; use these)! Oktoberfest, Volksfest, Wurstfest are all worth attending for the fun and frivolity, and I'm sure there are several other local events that make use of this colossal community space, during the "off-season". Despite the booze and brews, this venue is for all ages, up to a certain point in the night, when the parties start to become a bit...unhinged. Best to preserve your dignity and make sure the kiddos are tucked into bed before you really tie one on. Great gathering place, filled with wonderful memories and a spirit of community and brotherhood, even if most of us are drunken imports.

Great addition to the Mt. Angel venues for Oktoberfest and community use year round. It opened just…read morein time for Oktoberfest in 2011 and served as a biergarten. We visited later in the Winter for Wurstfest. This indoor community center has the benefit of modern construction and amenities with charming Bavarian scenes above the stage and throughout the building. Really nice multi-use facility for the community.

Second time we stopped by. Good live music, ambiance is excellent. Love the little balcony styles…read moreseating. Friendly staff. Didn't try any food. Yet.

We love this place! We drive 25 minutes almost every week to stop in. They consistently have great…read moreevents and always have great drinks (wise old Buckey is my personal favorite). By far, Ollie's is our favorite date spot. The owners are very personable and welcoming. If you are looking for a spot to become a regular, this is it.

Adorable! I meant to come in with kids to support local business and yesterday had a doordash pick…read moreup. I was so impressed by the decor nostalgia, and to learn the games are mostly a quarter to fifty cents. Decent menu and prices (pizza dough nothing to write home about but sauce has some Italian spice to it). Beers and ciders for adults. Fun music playing, 90s cartoons on the TV, super friendly staff. Will definitely be a place for longer hangs or just to pop in with two bucks on errand days. Doesn't hurt that New Morning and Dreameries are near by to round out the day.

Good little set up. Simple layout, food, adult beverages, drinks l for the kiddos and retro quarter…read moregaming!

This museum appears small but has so much inside! Staff working were friendly and willing to…read moreAnswer questions and tell you more about the displays They have some neat stuff, I don't know much about Silverton but learned more and got to see some cool items. Did you know there was a Silverton Red Sox?

My husband & I had to stop in here this past July when we just could not find the covered bridge we…read morewere looking for. The lady that was here was so beyond friendly and helpful. She gave us directions to where we needed to go and gave us lots of information on where to eat and other places to stop on the way to our destination. Thank you so much for your courtesy!

The gentleman who minds the grounds was kind enough to let us in to the museum building. It's…read morealways been closed when we've visited the Powerland/trolley museum. Pretty amazing array of vehicles. He showed us around and was a wealth of information about many of the vehicles on display. Got some great pictures! Very much appreciate the kindness and hospitality shown to us.

This place has an AWESOME collection of unique trucks housed here!read more