Located near the Oregon Zoo in Washington Park, the organization was established in 1964[citation needed] as the Western Forestry Center, with the actual building opening in 1971.

[3] Public interest in the Forestry Building, which was turned over to the State of Oregon, lasted long after the exposition ended, right up until it was destroyed by fire on August 17, 1964.

[citation needed] A new, more fire-resistant forestry building designed by Oregon architect John Storrs was built in Washington Park.

[6] In addition to completing a practical research project, the program works to get Fellows a broad exposure to natural resource management in the U.S. so that when they return to their home countries they have a basic understanding of the owners and managers of land and natural resources throughout the country.

"Peggy" was donated to the City of Portland in 1955 and was first displayed at the original Forestry Building, which was custom built in 1905 for the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition.

The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society rebuilt the cab and wood sills between 1969 and 1971, in preparation for the locomotive's 1972 relocation to the World Forestry Center in Washington Park.

[14] The Washington Park light rail station provides regional public transit access to the World Forestry Center.