[3] In 1913, the historical society and the museum moved from city hall to the Tourny Building, at 2nd and Taylor streets.

[11] For much of its history the historical society received funding from the state and from Multnomah County, but in 2003 that ended.

[3] Artifacts include the famous Portland Penny used to decide the name of the city,[2] Captain Robert Gray's storage chest from aboard the Columbia Rediviva, a 10,000-year-old sandal, memorabilia from the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, Native American artifacts, a miniature vehicle collection, and many everyday items from jars to dresses.

Significant items include a reproduction of a ship's hull, a 1940s-era mercantile store, a complete lunch counter from a diner, and a 9,000-year-old sandal.

[15] This exhibit won a silver 2005 MUSE Award in the History and Culture category from the American Alliance of Museums for the lunch counter display entitled Modern Oregon Issues.

In 2001, the center exhibited historic Native American trade blankets from the Dale Chihuly collection.