Photo By John Hughel | Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General of Oregon, along with Kathleen Sligar,...... read more read more
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HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. – After sixteen years of hard work, renovations, and careful planning–along with various challenges and successes–the Oregon Military Museum at Camp Withycombe in Happy Valley, Oregon, officially reopened to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 11, 2025.
The museum closed in 2008 with the desire to expand exhibit space, build new gallery areas, and highlight the large archive of items the museum has been curating for years. Overcoming years of funding challenges, the dedicated team behind this grand reopening was proud to celebrate this exceptional new era for the museum.
Cutting the big blue ribbon, Kathleen Sligar, director at the Oregon Military Museum, along with Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, used a ceremonial pair of scissors to open the doors to currently serving military members, veterans, volunteers, and eager guests gathered for the momentous day. Other dignitaries who spoke at the ceremony included Tom Ellis, Mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, and Jay Jones, President/CEO, North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce.
“This is an exciting day, and we're finally able to open our doors and show all of our years of hard work,” Sligar said, pausing with a laugh, admitting she was running on limited sleep over the past week. “I don’t think anyone expected it to be as phenomenal as it is now.”
Parts of the overall museum have been open to the public over the past several years in the Historic Park area, including the Quartermaster Storehouse, the Battery ‘A’ Field Artillery Horse Barn, and a display of prominent tanks. Now that the museum is complete and open full-time to the public, it will serve as a valuable resource for school groups and a meaningful venue for military retirees' events and others with a strong interest in military history.
“The Oregon Military Museum first started in 1975 and became the official military history repository," Sligar said. “Between 2009 and 2000, we had a slow stream of legislative dollars to design and install exhibits to welcome the public to come back again to the completed museum.”
The museum boasts one of the country’s most impressive small arms collections west of the Mississippi, featuring a comprehensive Weapons Gallery that showcases a diverse array of weapons from the 1600s to today. In the Drill Floor Gallery, the captivating “We Are Oregon” exhibit invites visitors to explore the varied chronology of people, places, and historic events that have shaped this region, and Oregon’s military history from its early days before statehood to the current day.
With the opening of the museum, the Temporary Gallery currently hosts “History in Art” Selections from the Oregon Military Museum Collection, with artwork to help connect the past. Adjacent to the museum entrance is The Hall of Valor, rich in color and light provided by the large windows, which presently recognizes 13 Oregon Medal of Honor recipients.
“For me, I think one of the biggest goals for this museum was to change what a military museum is. What is the perception of what a military museum is for our state, that really anyone can come in here and find something that they’re interested in,” Sligar said, relaying her thoughts since taking over the position just four years ago. “I wanted to change the direction for this museum so that it wasn't just a bunch of guns and trucks…that there’s more to it, whether that’s an object or story or concept.”
One of the centerpiece exhibits that highlights Oregon's history both at home and abroad is the F-86 Saber jet, which was reassembled in March 2020. The transonic jet was flown during the Korean War by future NASA legends John Glenn, Buzz Aldrin, and Wally Schirra. U.S. Air Force Captain Clyde A. Curtin, a native of Portland, Oregon, was distinguished as one of the 40 'Aces' to earn this title, while assigned to the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. The Oregon Air National Guard also made its mark by operating the F-86 during the same period. In February of 1951, the 123rd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron of the Oregon Air National Guard was federalized and reassigned to the 325th Fighter-Interceptor Wing of the Western Air Defense Force, advancing Oregon’s Air Defense legacy.
“I was very excited to see the look on people’s faces when we opened. I think this is also an exciting opportunity to share this space with visitors because it is such a wealth of information,” Sligar said, taking in the full impact that led up to the open day. “We’ve all worked so hard to get to this point, especially over the last year, but we are here now, with an amazing end product.”
Visitors will be able to access the Thomas E. Withycombe Library and other resources for research on specific pieces of military history. Over time, more documents will be digitized, providing an important link to preserving Oregon's military legacy.
“We want to show that it’s been worth 16 years since our reopening,” she said. “If that helps with retention or letting our military members know that their service matters, it can really make a difference. Especially as the public learns more about our history.”
With the museum now complete, the years of planning, design work, fundraising, and dedication from staff and volunteers are clear. The welcoming space and exhibits invite visitors to connect with Oregon's military heritage and acknowledge the proud service of its citizens. This museum offers an opportunity to reflect on the past while considering today's modern military and the Oregonians who continue to serve in uniform.
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2025 21:37 |
| Story ID: | 549789 |
| Location: | HAPPY VALLEY, OREGON, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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