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WASH
Museum
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move will not only benefit the museum by making it more accessible to the
public, but will also increase interest in Hillsboro’s historic downtown to those
who typically hang on the fringes of the HWY 26 corridor.
“It’s going to do great things for the museum, and also for the city of
Hillsboro. It’s a destination that will bring lots of people into the downtown
core area,” says Mason. “The businesses of course are thrilled because they
want more people down there. Downtown Hillsboro is busy during the week,
but pretty quiet on the weekend. We hope to help change that. We’re
supporting the local businesses, and they are supporting us. We’re all going
forward together.”
Barbara Simon, the city’s public affairs manager, agrees that the move is
going to be mutually beneficial, saying that that in its new location, the
museum will join organizations such as Bag&Baggage Productions, Sequoia
Gallery, HART Theatre, and the Walters Cultural Arts Center in transforming
downtown into a cultural hub for the county.
“It’s exciting for the city and the museum. It’s got multiple values for the
community. Traditions and roots are extremely valuable to Hillsboro,” says
Simon. “We understand that the past, present and future are interconnected.
Add to that that Hillsboro is the seat of county government… it makes sense
that it would also become the home of the Washington County Museum. On a
philosophical level, this is a great place for it to be.”
As much of a no-brainer as the move may seem, though, the logistics of the
expansion were anything but simplistic.
First, the board had to withstand some heavy lobbying from Beaverton
officials who wanted the museum to anchor a cultural center there.
Then, the staff and board had to hammer out a lease for the piece of prime
downtown Hillsboro real estate. Luckily, the owner was motivated.
The proposal from the museum to use the unfinished space in the second
floor of the Hillsboro Civic Center solved a problem that has vexed the city
officials since the facility opened in 2005: How to find a suitable tenant for what
is supposed to be a second-floor public gathering space.
It was built to house a downtown library, but those plans fizzled when
voters rejected a bond measure to finish the project and the main library ended
up on Brookwood Parkway.
Seven years later, the museum was angling to fill that void.
Eventually the two sides agreed to 15 years of free rent, with the museum
The Washington County’s
evolution from a historical society
to a cultural organization is
reflected in its mission statement:
“The Washington County
Museum ignites the imagination
and brings to life the diverse
cultures that so richly define this
remarkable region.”
The museum website explains
that mission a bit more.
“We are here to tell the full story
of Washington County. As a cultural
leader of Washington County, we
innovate to better meet the needs of
our county and create an
understanding of our mutual past
and shared future. The Museum
offers unparalleled opportunities to
experience and understand the
complexity and richness of our
communities. The challenge for
museums today is to be relevant. We
exist to preserve our heritage and
help shape our future. Our
exhibitions and programs are tools
that cultivate learning and cultural
appreciation.”
ON A MISSION