Join Us in Preserving Oregon’s Military Heritage
The Oregon Military Museum (OMM) invites you to play an active role in preserving and sharing Oregon’s military history. Whether through artifact donations, financial contributions, or in-kind gifts, your support helps us honor the service of Oregonians, connect generations through storytelling, and keep history alive for years to come.
Our Structure
As a component of the Oregon Military Department, OMM is a unique partnership. We are proud to be housed at Camp Withycombe, with our grounds and historic buildings maintained by the state and operated by two full-time professional staff (federal employees).
However, the Museum receives no direct public funding for programs or daily operations.
To bring Oregon’s rich military history to life, we rely on the generosity of people like you.
How You Can Help
Your support, in any form, is essential to our mission. Here are four key ways you can make a difference.
| Type of Support | Description | How to Proceed |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Gift | Your tax-deductible gift is the most direct way to support our day-to-day mission. These funds are vital for artifact conservation, exhibit development, and educational outreach. | Monetary contributions are securely processed through our fundraising partner, the Oregon Military Museum Project (OMMP). Learn more below or visit OMMP’s website for additional information.
Contributions are securely processed through our fundraising partner, the Oregon Military Museum Project (OMMP). Link to OMMP Donation Page |
| Donate an Artifact | Share a piece of history. We welcome military-related objects, photographs, letters, and books that tell the story of Oregon’s military service and home front support. | All offers are reviewed by the Collections Committee before acceptance to ensure alignment with our collections scope. To begin the process, complete our Patron Donation Offer Worksheet or learn more below. |
| Become a Volunteer | Give the gift of your time and talent. Volunteers are the heart of the Museum, supporting everything from greeting guests to assisting with historical research. | Learn more about the Volunteer Corps and apply online. |
| In-Kind Support | Donations of needed goods or services (such as office supplies, professional printing, or landscaping equipment) help reduce operational costs and allow more resources to go toward our core mission. | If you or your business would like to offer in-kind support, please contact the Museum Director and Curator at 971-355-2282 to discuss current needs. |
Our Partner: The Oregon Military Museum Project (OMMP)
The Oregon Military Museum Project (OMMP) is our nonprofit partner, a 501(c)(3) organization whose sole mission is to secure the private and public support we need to thrive. Every dollar raised helps us create new exhibits, care for priceless artifacts, provide volunteer training, and offer engaging educational programs for visitors of all ages.
To learn more about OMMP, visit their website or donate online.
Share Your Story: Collections Donations
The Oregon Military Museum gratefully considers all offers of donation that align with our mission: to preserve and share Oregon’s military history from pre-statehood to the present day, including stories of home front support.
We welcome offers of:
-
- Military-related personal objects, uniforms, artwork, and equipment.
- Books, manuals, and other nonfiction publications.
- Photographs, scrapbooks, diaries, moving images, audio recordings, and personal papers.
To submit an offer, please complete the Patron Donation Offer Worksheet, or provide equivalent documentation with the requested details. This helps us create an inventory and understand your donation’s condition, provenance (its history), and connection to Oregon or an Oregon service member.
Please note:
- All offers are reviewed by the Museum’s Collections Committee.
- We are only able to accept unrestricted and unconditional gifts.
- Donations brought directly to the Museum without prior approval by the Museum Director and Curator will not be accepted.
- Donations left at the Museum without prior approval by the Museum Director and Curator will be destroyed and disposed of.
- Museum personnel cannot provide appraisals. For appraiser referrals, please contact the American Society of Appraisers or call 800-272-8258.
Due to legal and safety considerations, the Museum cannot accept:
- Items outside the scope of our mission.
- Items in poor condition or with active pest infestation.
- Hazardous materials such as radioactive objects, live ammunition, or unexploded ordnance.
A Note on Our Current Donation Process
Following the successful installation of our new museum galleries, our small but dedicated team is now focused on a significant amount of backlogged work and rebalancing duties. Because of this, the donation process may be significantly delayed.
As we adapt to operating the Museum with a team of two, we remain committed to our mission, professional standards, and helping you responsibly relocate and preserve your treasured items.
We are still eager to hear from you and deeply appreciate your patience as we work to better serve our visitors and care for donations for generations to come.