linn county museum

I love learning about Oregon history. I'm glad I finally made it to Brownsville for the Linn county Museum. The volunteers on duty were knowledgeable and willing to answer all my questions. The museum is well done with many interesting displays spanning different time periods. I took the time to assemble all the gear in the miniature covered wagon which was handcrafted by a local volunteer for the children. I'm a 60 year old kid who loved the challenge, making me rush through the rest of the museum to catch up with my traveling mates. Next time, maybe the first week in May when the whole town dresses up in period clothes, I will get to focus on other parts or watch one of the silent movies in the movie theater.

My mom and I recently stopped in this county museum while we were driving south through Oregon on I-5. We noticed a billboard on the side of the road and, after looking up great reviews on TripAdvisor, decided to make the short detour into Brownsville. Getting to the museum from the highway was very easy -- don't let its location in town and away from the highway deter a visit! The volunteer staff at the museum was helpful and friendly from the get-go. Admission was a suggested $2 donation which honestly didn't seem like quite enough to pay for the wealth of information they provided and the great pieces they had in their collection. We spent some time going through the history of Brownsville and its residents, enjoying the tidbits of information and stories provided along the way. It was great to see a wagon that had made the trek on the Oregon Trail and enlightening, as always, to tour the commercial pieces that museum had acquired from area businesses.Most of the collection in the museum was donated by Linn County residents, many of them descended from Pioneer families. There is also some information about the movie Stand By Me, that 80s classic that also took place in this town. Worth the stop, for sure. After touring the museum we were lucky enough to also tour the Moyer house, only a few blocks away, because the museum had enough volunteer staff that day to provide tours even though it wasn't the weekend. That home was also worth the detour!

This is a great place, there’s no addition price and the best in the county. Always enjoyable and totally worth visiting.

Brownsville is small town beautiful. It is where Stand By Me the movie was filmed. The museum is VERY large with all sorts of historic stuff to see. You can watch "Stand By Me" in the back in the small theater. They also have walking map tours for filming locations. Very helpful staff. Don't pass this place up!

This is worth the trip to Brownsville. Do not be mislead by the modest size. We spent over an hour and just touched the surface. They have one of only three original covers wagons that came across the Oregon Trail. Something for all ages, even a 1920's movie theatre where you can watch an old talking movie. Ask to do the Moyer House tour as well.

What a terrif place to spend a couple hours. The staff is cordial and knowledgeable. Some unique exhibits, well displayed. Our group enjoyed the interaction with the docent. We also visited the Moyer House managed by the same group of volunteers!

We first visited this museum in Brownsville, Oregon a few years ago and thought it would be cute, but small and perhaps disappointing. Were we wrong! It is a historical tour of the pioneer history of the area and Brownsville in particular.It's housed in a series of railroad cars of all things, which makes it fun to go from "train to train". There are different vignettes showcasing various businesses throughout the years. One of the must-see pieces is the original Drinkard covered wagon, which set across the plains in 1861. In another boxcar there are exhibits on Kalapuya Native American artifacts, woolen mills and mining. Then sit in the "theatre" in one of the original Linn Theater seats and watch a movie!Part of your tour should be the Moyer House Museum, 2 blocks away. A beautiful, 2 story Victorian home with experienced docents making history come alive.We bring all our visitors and neighbors here and not one has been disappointed. Admission is by donation.