Jacksonville’s “Citywide Museum”

Jacksonville’s entire National Historic Landmark District
is a “Citywide Museum.”

But every museum needs a starting point. Historic Jacksonville, Inc., in partnership with the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Boosters Club, is transforming the town’s 1881 Old City Hall into a History Center to serve that need.

Scheduled to open in July 2026, the History Center will be open year-round on a daily basis. Interactive exhibits will provide an overview of how a gold rush camp became the 19th Century regional hub of Southern Oregon.

Five themes highlight the land and agriculture, the 1st and 2nd gold rush, merchants and makers, government, and town life. They tell stories of Indigenous people; gold rush and donation land claims and the miners, settlers, and merchants they attracted; the Chinese and Oregon’s first Chinatown; the coming of the railroad; the town’s decline; the Great Depression and Jacksonville’s second “gold rush”; and the town’s renaissance.

Touchable educational artifacts augment exhibits. Video, A/V,  and AI bring stories to life. QR codes link to additional information on each theme.

A website encourages a deeper dive into the “Jacksonville story” and introduces guests to the many ways they can explore Jacksonville’s “Citywide Museum” — guided tours, GPS self-guided tours, virtual tours, events, activities, and more. 

Would you like to step inside?

View illustrations of the interior exhibits by clicking here:
Museum Overview

 

You can make it happen!
Donate at https://www.historicjacksonville.org/donate//