2026 Oregon Heritage Conference:
Stories, Culture, Place - Weaving Community Heritage
April 29-May 2, Woodburn
The Oregon Heritage Conference brings together people who share a common passion for Oregon’s heritage and history to share insights, understand connections, develop relationships, learn new ways to address issues and opportunities, reinforce the value of the work, and leave energized to keep moving forward.
Designed to be interdisciplinary and cross-pollenating, the conference focuses on all sectors of cultural heritage, such as historic preservation, museums, archives, libraries, Main Streets, historic cemeteries, archaeology, Tribes, genealogy, public history, and local, state, federal government.
Communities are complex and varied, how they are viewed by visitors and residents is informed by the long history of human experience in that place and their own experiences. The 2026 Oregon Heritage Conference will explore the intersection of stories, culture and place to develop community heritage. This heritage is the anchor for participation, economic development, connection, and possibilities for a vibrant and healthy community.
TBA
Conference Plenary Speaker, April 29
Schedule is still in progress and subject to change.
Join us in downtown Woodburn!
Thanks for conference partners City of Woodburn and Oregon Museums Association.
April 29, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
- Workshops
- Oregon Main Street Network Meeting
- Oregon Heritage MentorCorps Meeting
- Oregon Cmmission on Historic Cemeteries Meeting
At Mt. Angel!
- Conference Plenary Session
- Oregon Heritage Excellence Awardss
April 30, 8:15 a.m. - 9:00 p.m
- Sessions
- Tours
- Networking Meet-Ups
- Recption hosted by the City of Woodburn
May 1, 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Sessions
- Tours
- Networking Meet-Ups
May 2, 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Cemetery Preservation Workshop
Draft Session Descriptions - TBA
Schedule-At-A-Glance - TBA
For info contact Kuri Gill, 503-986-0685, Kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov.
More details to come! Join the weekly heritage news listserv for conference updates.
Registration opens February!
- If you are a student you get 40% off, use this link.
Registration Rates
| | Early Bird - until 3/10/26
| Regular - until 4/10/26
| Last Minute - until 4/27/26
|
Full Conference
| $140 | $180 | $300 |
Excellence Awards Only
| $60 | $75 | $100 |
Weds Only
| $75 | $100 | $200 |
Thurs Only
| $100 | $120 | $200 |
Fri Only
| $75 | $100 | $200 |
Cemetery Workshop Only
| $5 | $5 | $5 |
Venues
Woodburn
- Woodburn Historical Museum - 455 N Front St, registration & homebase
- Bungalow Theater - 455 N Front St, snacks & sessions
- Woodburn Public Library - 280 Garfield St, sessions
- Woodburn City Hall - 270 Montgomery St, sessions
- Woodburn Area Chamber of Commerce - 124 W Lincoln St, sessions
- Chemeketa Community College - 120 E Lincoln, workshops
Mt Angel
- Mt Angel Festhalle - 500 Wilco Hwy NE, Conference Kick-off & Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards
Parking
See conference program for details and map.
Lodging
Best Western Woodburn - 2980 Tom Tennant Dr, Woodburn
Use this link to reserve conference rate room of $144 +tax.
La Quinta Inn & Suites - 120 N Arney Rd, Woodburn
Use this link to reserve conference rate room of $121 +tax.
Oregon Garden Resort - 895 W Main St, Silverton
About 20 minutes to Woodburn
Silverton Inn & Suites - 310 N Water St, Silverton
About 20 minutes to Woodburn
Best Western Wilsonville - 29769 SW Boones Ferry Rd
About 17 minutes to Woodburn
Woodburn Highlights
We will be exploring Woodburn with plenty of time for historic stops, shopping, food and networking. Check out more information here.
Join the weekly heritage news listserv for conference announcements. If you'd like to join our listserv to receive a postcard notifying you when registration opens, send your name and address to katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov.
Join friends and colleagues for the annual Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards! Awards will be presented to individuals, organizations, and projects that have made the most of their available resources to contribute to preserving Oregon's heritage.
Find more info here.
The awards event is part of the full conference registration or you can register for the awards event only. The event will be held April 29, 6pm-9pm.