Jensen Arctic Museum

The Jensen Arctic Museum is a research museum in Monmouth, Oregon, focused on polar regions and the people living there. The collection includes handcrafted tools, traditional clothing, animal specimens, and a large research library covering northern topics.

The museum was established in 1985 by Paul Jensen, a researcher who spent considerable time in Alaska and with Inuit communities. His Arctic experiences led him to create this collection at Western Oregon State College.

The museum displays handmade tools and clothing from northern communities in the Bering Strait region. Visitors can see how these peoples crafted and used everyday items in their lives.

The museum offers guided tours and lectures to help visitors understand the collection and its topics. It is worth allowing time to explore both the exhibited objects and the research library at a comfortable pace.

The museum founder ran exchange programs from 1966 to 1979 that brought children from Inuit and Eskimo communities in Alaska to live in Oregon and experience a different way of life. These exchanges were an early effort to build cross-cultural understanding through direct contact.

Location: Oregon

Inception: 1985

Website: http://wou.edu/president/advancement/jensen

GPS coordinates: 44.85210,-123.24200

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:00