Francis Ermatinger House

The Francis Ermatinger House is a history museum housed in a residential building with Greek Revival and Federal style architecture, featuring wooden construction and classical design details in Oregon City. Inside, visitors can explore several rooms that provide insight into how people lived during that period.

Francis Ermatinger, a fur trader for the Hudson's Bay Company and treasurer of the Oregon Provisional Government, built this house in 1843 near Willamette Falls. The structure was constructed during a formative period when European settlement was first taking root in the region.

The house displays how early settlers lived in Oregon and the role the Hudson's Bay Company played in shaping the region. Visitors see everyday objects that reveal the importance of the fur trade to this part of America.

Visitors can explore the museum through guided or self-guided tours available on Friday and Saturday, with special arrangements for schools and group visits. When walking through, keep in mind this is an older building without modern climate control, which matters during rainy or cold weather.

In the left parlor, a famous coin toss between Francis Pettygrove and Asa Lovejoy in 1845 determined Portland's name. This room remains one of the highlights for visitors interested in the origins of the nearby city.

GPS coordinates: 45.35546,-122.60503

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:20