Mission Mill Museum

The Mission Mill Museum is a textile manufacturing museum in Salem that displays 14 historic buildings across several acres. The collection includes wool processing machines, looms, and other equipment from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Thomas Kay Woolen Mill was founded in 1889 and became one of the region's major wool processing facilities. After it closed in 1962, the buildings were preserved as a museum to document the industrial history of the area.

The place shows how textile manufacturing shaped the everyday life and economy of this region. The preserved buildings and machines tell the story of the workers who labored here and built the industry.

Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since paths between buildings are often unpaved. The best time to visit is summer through early fall when the weather is pleasant and all areas are easily accessible.

The site also houses the Jason Lee House from 1841, one of the oldest wooden buildings in the region. The parsonage structure reflects the early Methodist settlement of the Northwest.

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-16:00

Website: https://willametteheritage.org

GPS coordinates: 44.93428,-123.02704

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:07