Brooklyn Neighborhood

Brooklyn Historical Society

Statement of Purpose

The mission of the Brooklyn Historical Society is to preserve and promote the historic heritage of the Brooklyn Neighborhood.
    Our mandate is:

• Protecting Brooklyn's historic character
• Preserving the stories of Brooklyn and it's built environment
• Collecting, exhibiting, and conserving artifacts and archival materials relating to    Brooklyn
• Educating the residents of Brooklyn and the larger community on Brooklyn's history
• Promoting a sense of community through a shared historic identity

    Our Current Objectives are:

• Gaining recognition as a national historic district
• Documenting the history of the Brooklyn Neighborhood
• Collecting and making available the oral histories of the Brooklyn Neighborhood
• Increasing membership in the Brooklyn Historical Society

The Brooklyn Historical Society is a group of mostly Brooklyn residents who are interested in the history of the Brooklyn neighborhood, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Portland. The group was started with the assistance and guidance of REACH Community Development as part of their Milwaukie Action Plan initiative.

Anyone with an interest in the history of Brooklyn is invited to join the BHS simply by attending meetings.

We maintain an archive of historic materials, including maps, photographs, oral interview audio and video tapes, in depth property and area research reports and other documentation. Contributions to the Brooklyn archives are always welcome - duplication can be arranged.

For more information please contact the Brooklyn Historical Society via:
• Phone: 503-235-2174 (Don Stephens, Chair)
• Mail: PO Box 42568, Portland, OR 97242
• E-Mail: bhs@brooklyn-neighborhood.org

Meeting Information

The BHS meets the first Monday of every month at 7pm at Sacred Heart Villa located on Milwaukie Ave at Center Street. Drop-ins are welcome.

Historic District Project

The BHS is dedicated to pursuing the discovery, documentation, and preservation of Brooklyn's history. Specifically, we are presently working on nomination of the Brooklyn neighborhood for Historic District status. We have substantially completed the initial phase of the Historic District nomination process, that of performing a property-by-property survey of all businesses and residences in the target area. Since the beginning of 2004 we have filled out survey forms on nearly 900 properties, and have them all entered into a database. We are now working on photographing each property to complete the survey forms.

Brooklyn Roundhouse

Of particular interest to the Society is preservation of the Brooklyn Roundhouse. Brooklyn Yard, the northern terminus of Southern Pacific tracks in Oregon, has played a central role in Brooklyn's history. The Roundhouse with its operating turntable, is one of very few remaining on the west coast. It was designed to accommodate the steam locomotives that represented the golden age of steam railroading. It currently houses three of these massive machines: the SP&S #700, the SP #4449 and the OR&NC #197.