Learning Without Limits
Connecting you to Oregon’s stories, resources, and discoveries—anywhere you are.
Learning Without Limits
Connecting you to Oregon’s stories, resources, and discoveries—anywhere you are.
Resources for classrooms, families, and lifelong learners.
The Independence Heritage Museum is more than a place to view exhibits—it’s a hub for learning, research, and inspiration.
This page connects you with resources that go beyond our walls, offering tools and materials for teachers, students, and history enthusiasts of all ages.
Educator Resources
Explore lesson plans, activity kits, field trip guides, and virtual resources that bring Oregon’s history and culture to life for learners everywhere.
Student Learning
Dive into local history with research tools, and opportunities for youth to get involved through volunteer work, internships, and hands-on projects.
Lifelong Learners
Discover at-home history guides, and connections to local libraries, archives, and cultural organizations that keep learning alive beyond the museum.
Explore More
To deepen your learning, we’ve gathered trusted resources that open doors to archives, and stories—connecting you to Oregon’s history.
Learning Starts Here
Education Thrives When Curiosity Is Sparked
OHS Digital Collections
Historic photos, maps, and documents from across Oregon.
Oregon Encyclopedia
Peer-reviewed entries on Oregon people, places, and events.
Willamette Heritage Center
Regional archives and resources for Mid-Willamette history.
Historic Oregon Newspapers
Digitized copies of newspapers from across Oregon, searchable by keyword and date.
Hamersly Library Digital Collection
A collection of digitized historic photographs, student newspapers, yearbooks, and regional materials from Western Oregon University’s archives.
Oregon State Archives
Official government records, vital records indexes, and historical exhibits curated by the Oregon Secretary of State.
Library of Congress
A vast range of digitized historic photographs, documents, sound recordings, and maps from across U.S. history.
Online Salem History Archive
An online archive maintained by the Salem Public Library featuring six curated photographic collections of Salem and Marion County life.
Oregon Historic Sites Database
A searchable inventory of historic sites documented across Oregon, maintained by the State Historic Preservation Office.
Polk County Historic Records
View scanned indexes and digitized records dating back to Polk County’s early days.
Smithsonian History Explorer
Standards-aligned lessons, activities, and digital media.
Teaching with Historic Places
Place-based lesson plans and “Curiosity Kits.”
Independence Virtual Museum Tour
Explore exhibits online. Coming Soon
MNCH - UO
Museum of Natural & Cultural History - University of Oregon: resources & kits.
OMSI
Science exhibits, educator programs, and activities.
High Desert Museum
Natural & cultural history of the high desert region.
Oregon Trail Game
Do you have what it takes to make it on the Oregon Trail?.
Hop Farming Game
Do you have what it takes to become the best hop farmer in Independence?.
The Oregon Trail – Education Resource Guide
Classroom materials & activities.
Experience Oregon History (Grades 6–8)
Middle-school curriculum.
Oregon History Project
Understanding Oregons past through photographs, objects, and archival materials.
Nature Connect – Central Oregon
Outdoor learning resources.
Student Opportunities
Volunteer, internships, and student projects.
Field Trips
Group visits, scheduling & programs.
Did you know? The Willamette River was once the lifeline of trade and travel for Independence.
Keep Exploring With Us
Ready to go beyond the screen? Online is just the beginning
Your journey through history doesn’t have to end online—come experience it in person or connect with our team.
Your journey through history doesn’t have to end online—come experience it in person or connect with our team.
