The Union County Museum in Union opens May 12, 2024.

UNION — The Union County Museum continues tradition with an open house on Mother’s Day, May 12, from 1-4 p.m., at the museum, 333 S. Main St. Admission is free for the event.

The Mother’s Day event is the official opening day of the museum’s 2024 season. Curator Sharon Hohstadt has worked all winter to bring in new items and add to the extensive collection. Board President Nod Palmer and the facility and grant committees will point out facility improvements that have been achieved due to the generosity of donors and grants. They will also discuss projects still needing attention.

Refreshments will be available. Board members and volunteers look forward to showing museum patrons through the exhibits.

In addition to exhibits ranging from the Livery Station, General Store and pioneer-era cabin to natural history and more, the museum is home to the Cowboys Then & Now Collection, which was originally housed in northeast Portland near the Lloyd Center. It was gifted to the Union County Museum and relocated in the 1990s.

The museum board of directors encourages people to join the Union County Museum Society to support the mission of collecting, preserving and presenting the area’s history. Membership starts at $10 a year for individuals and includes free admission throughout the year. A quarterly newsletter is sent to members, as well. A supporting membership is $50.

The museum is seeking volunteers to host visitors and work on projects and necessary tasks. To learn more about volunteering, contact board member and volunteer coordinator Raye Clark at hookandraye@yahoo.com, or Nod Palmer, museum society president, at history@ucmuseumoregon.com or leave a voice message at 541-562-6003.

Days and hours of operation following the Mother’s Day event are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteer hosts work shifts, often in pairs.

Regular admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors and $3 for students.

The museum is owned by the Union County Museum Society, a 501©3 nonprofit corporation, and operated by volunteers. Visit the museum website, www.ucmuseumoregon.com, for more information, or call 541-562-6003 during museum hours.