capitol tours salem oregon

Tour the Oregon State Capitol without leaving your home

Like you, we here at the Oregon State Capitol Foundation are coping with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re staying home to stay safe and finding ways to make the most of time with our families.

Although the Oregon State Capitol is currently closed to the public, you can help beat cabin fever by taking an online  virtual tour of the building .

Thanks to our donors, two years ago OSCF funded a  virtual tour  of the Capitol’s public areas. It’s a great way to see your Capitol — inside and out — when you can’t visit in person.

The virtual tour guides you through the Capitol and its grounds using 360-degree photos, audio narration, videos and text. It also has info for local history buffs, teachers and students, and how to get involved in Oregon’s democracy.

“It’s almost like having your own personal tour guide,” said Schoaps. “The Capitol may be closed at the moment, but this is a great way for anyone — especially curious kids — to learn about Oregon’s history in a fun and interactive way.” Ed Schoaps, OSCF board member

Surrounded by Oregon’s past, inside and out

As you start the tour, you see the bronze state seal on the floor of the  rotunda . Look around to learn about the inscriptions throughout the Capitol. Listen to the stories behind the people and events on the beautifully painted murals in the rotunda.

The murals throughout the Capitol represent key moments in Oregon’s history. They show off Oregon’s landscapes and bring to life the explorers, Native people and pioneers in our state’s past. You can learn about the  artwork and exhibits , including the Capitol History Gateway Interpretive Center Experience.

Get transported to the  observation deck  atop the rotunda to take in the amazing view. You will see the Capitol grounds, historic downtown Salem, the Willamette Valley and beyond. You can also get an up-close look at the Capitol’s most eye-catching feature: a statue of the golden Oregon Pioneer.

Walk around the outside of the Capitol and up the front steps. Explore the  Capitol grounds  and  State Capitol State Park . See the monuments, statues, fountains, other landmarks and the WWII Memorial. It is the only state capitol in a state park.

Our government at work

The flowing staircases leading from the rotunda serve as the gateway to the Senate, House and Governor’s ceremonial office. You have open access to the heart of Oregon’s government by entering the  Senate and House Chambers . The chambers are rich in detail and Oregon symbolism. Names of those who shaped Oregon’s history are inscribed along the friezes. Get a bird’s-eye view of the chambers from their viewing galleries.

Look into the  Governor’s ceremonial office . You will see portraits of past Oregon governors. This is where we welcome visiting dignitaries.  It’s also where we hold press conferences and public signings of important laws.

Anyone is welcome to see our legislators at work. Find out  when the Oregon Legislature is in session  and  watch sessions and committee meetings live online . 

Take the virtual tour

Take the  virtual tour of your Oregon State Capitol  today on your PC or Mac. Mobile phone users can take the tour by texting  Oregon  to 24587. Once you can visit the Capitol in person, remember to launch the virtual tour on your phone to lead you through the building and all that’s waiting to be discovered. 

•   900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301
• +503-986-1388
•   Contact Us

Visit the Oregon Capitol

Oregon Capitol

Building, Tower, Educational and Virtual Tours

*all guided tours of the building and tower are suspended during the construction project. they will resume in 2025. please see under educational tours for guided, virtual tour information., building tour.

• House Chamber
• Senate Chamber
• Governor’s Ceremonial Office (when available)
• Governor’s balcony, overlooking the R​otunda
• Governor’s portrait hallway, 2nd floor

Tower Tours​

Educational tours.

​​​​Guided, in-classroom, virtual tours of both the building and tower are available for fourth-grade and older school students. To learn more about these tours, visit here , or call 503-986-1388 for more information.

Virtual Tours

​​​​We offer a wonderful virtual tour with audio guide in English , Spanish and Mandarin languages. You can explore this tour at home, or listen to the audio guide as an accompaniment to your Capitol visit.

Seasons at the Capitol

Your Capitol changes with the seasons: bustling during lawmaking sessions and lively during special and seasonal events.

• Guided Tour Season: January – November
• Guided Tower Tour Season: June 16 – September 30
• Self-Guided Tour Season: Year-round
• School Tour Season: September 2 – June 1
• Legislative Session: February (35 days, even numbered years)
• Legislative Session: January – June (160 days, odd numbered years)
• Cherry Blossom Season: March – April
• Holidays at the Capitol: December 1 – December 24

Holiday Closures

The Capitol is closed on the weekend and on the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Veteran’s Day
• Thanksgiving Day and the following day
• Christmas Day ​

Explore Your Capitol Yourself

Watch your legislators in action.

Learn how ideas become laws. During normal operating legislative sessions, observe House and Senate floor sessions and committee meetings in person or watch them live online. Click here to find out when the Oregon Legislature is in session.

Self-Guided Building Tours

You can explore the Capitol on your own from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday year-round. Pick up a brochure of building highlights, as well as information about exhibits and artwork, at the information kiosk on the first floor. Or, you can use the virtual tour’s audio guide in English , Spanish and Mandarin  as you explore the building at your own pace.

List of Additional Capitol Tour Stops

In addition to the stops offered in the guided tour, other areas to tour on your own are:

• Welcome Center
• Senate history room (behind the chamber)
• Capitol front steps and murals, facing the Capitol Mall
• Hearing rooms​
• Galleria exhibits
• State Capitol State Park and the Capitol Mall

State Capitol State Park

Oregon’s State Capitol State Park is owned by the people of Oregon. The grounds tell a story of Oregon’s history, through architecture, botany and art. Statues of historic Oregon figures, the Walk of Flags, WWII Memorial, Medal of Honor Memorial, Liberty Bell replica, marble intaglio sculptures, special plantings and commemorative markers all create a sense of history and place in the grounds surrounding the Capitol. View State Capitol State Park self-guided walking tour brochure .

• Capitol Conquerors
• Capitol Information
• Travel Tales

A brilliant gold statue, The Pioneer , graces the pinnacle of the Oregon capitol, and visitors can ascend all 121 steps to its base for an observation of the statue as well as the grounds. The Covered Wagon and Lewis and Clark , two large marble sculptures, flank the main entrance, and numerous grand murals within continue with these themes.

503-986-1388

Map to the Capitol Building in Salem Oregon Capitol Website

Images from the Capitol

Comment on salem, oregon.

Have you been to this capitol before? What did you think? Share your comments with us!

Comments: Let us know what you think of Salem, Oregon!

Email address:

Comments from readers

What a wonderful building! I completely enjoyed slipping through the quiet corridors, gawking at the crisp architecture and symbolic flooring. The gals at the "stamp" desk were amazingly friendly to boot! Thanks!

The stamp for Oregon is located at the 1st floor kiosk, off the rotunda.

© 2016 The Capitol Collection : 303-564-7570 : [email protected]

• Indoor Recreation
• Museums & History
• Arts & Entertainment
• Shopping & Outlets
• Farms & Markets
• Health & Wellness
• Tours & Trails
• Mid-Willamette Valley Communities
• Tasting Map
• Restaurants
• Breweries & Taprooms
• Wineries & Tasting Rooms
• Cideries & Distilleries
• Food Trucks / Carts
• Coffee, Tea, Bakeries & Desserts
• Submit an Event
• Hotels & Motels
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Private Rentals
• Campgrounds & RV Parks
• Lodging Specials
• 2024 Softball Hotels
• Travel Alerts
• Itineraries
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Free Visitor Guide
• Advertising
• eNewsletter

Visitors Guide

Email newsletter, 15 historical spots to visit in salem, oregon, salem became the oregon's official capital in 1859, when it was granted statehood..

Today, dozens of buildings, museums, cultural centers, neighborhoods and historic sites in downtown Salem tell the tale of the valley’s storied past.

If the Willamette Valley could speak for itself, you’d be spellbound with its tales spanning thousands of years of history – stories of geologic calamity, rich Native American cultures and Oregon Trail dreamers.

1. Salem Downtown Historic District

​ Salem’s Downtown Historic District is a seven-block area bounded by Chemeketa, High, Ferry and Front streets. Nearly 62 percent of the buildings downtown, 57 in total, contribute to the city’s history. Once home to saloons, butcher shops and ballrooms, the buildings now house restaurants, retail stores and offices. • The Ladd and Bush Bank Building is arguably one of the most beautifully designed buildings in the downtown area. The bank was founded in 1869 as Salem’s first financial institution. The building has undergone extensive renovation, but has retained its original cast iron decoration. It continues to serve its purpose as a bank. • At 11 stories tall, the Old First National Bank Building is hard to miss. It is downtown Salem’s only “skyscraper.” Built in 1927, the building has elaborate ornamentation – including griffins, a standing human figure and bearded human faces on the outside of the building. You can visit the Travel Salem Visitors Center on the first floor.

• Since its opening in 1869, the Reed Opera House has been a significant cultural and social center in Salem. The building has housed the Oregon State Supreme Court, the State Library, an auditorium, hotels, stores and saloons. Today, you’ll find boutique stores, art galleries, a ballroom and restaurants inside the building. • Salem has an extensive network of underground tunnels . Throughout history, these tunnels were allegedly used for the transportation of goods, opium dens and socializing. The tunnels are closed to the public, but you may notice purple glass blocks and large metal plates in the sidewalk as you walk downtown. The glass provided light to the tunnels and the metal plates cover where elevators once were.

2. Elsinore Theatre

The Elsinore Theatre has served Salem for more than 90 years. Built in 1926, the theatre was the brainchild of George B. Guthrie, a Portland attorney and private art collector. His dream was to design the best and finest theatre in the city.

From the moment you walk in, theatergoers can feel Guthrie’s dream come alive. The lobby of the theatre has murals designed to represent Shakespearean plays, grand staircases and stunning stained window glass.

The Elsinore also has the largest theatre organ in a performing arts center in the Pacific Northwest, the Parks/Murdock Mighty Wurlitzer . It has a total of 1,778 pipes. In its early days, the theatre showed silent movies and vaudeville acts, including performances by Clark Gable and Edgar Bergen.

The theatre now hosts a variety of theatrical performances, live music and movies year-round.

3. Union Street Railroad and Pedestrian Bridge

The ability to move goods and people in and out of the Willamette Valley was a critical factor in settling the area.

The Southern Pacific Railroad started building the Union Street Bridge in May 1912 with the goal of connecting Salem to the West valley.

The bridge required a lift section because the river was heavily used for water transportation at the time. It is one of only a few Waddell & Harrington vertical lift railroad bridges in the state.

The bridge permanently closed in 1980. Now repurposed as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, it is one of two bridges that connects three Salem parks and more than 20 miles of trails.

4. Gilbert House Children’s Museum

Built in 1887, the Gilbert House is one of two large-scale examples of Queen Anne architecture in the city. It symbolizes the prosperity of the children of Oregon Trail pioneers.

The Gilbert House Children’s Museum, named after Salem native A.C. Gilbert, opened in 1989. A.C. was a world-renowned toy manufacturer, Olympic athlete and magician. The museum offers 15 hands-on exhibits, an outdoor discovery area and educational programs for children.

5. Bush House Museum

Asahel Bush II, a pioneer banker, newspaper publisher and public figure, built the Bush House from 1877-1878 for his wife and four children.

The 12-room home is Italianate in style, with elaborate woodwork, marble fireplaces and a veranda. Members of the Bush family resided in the home until 1953. The Salem Art Association maintains the historic home and offers tours throughout the week.

The home retains many original furnishings, embossed French wallpapers and brass fittings. It sits on a 90.5-acre park, Bush’s Pasture Park , with gardens, wooded areas and open meadows.

6. Gaiety Hollow

The Lord–Schryver firm , founded in 1929 by Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver, was the first female-owned landscape design firm in the Northwest. Through their 40 years of work, the duo designed more than 250 gardens in the Northwest, including several in the Salem area.

Gaiety Hollow was Lord and Schryver’s office, garden and home. It is considered the masterpiece of their life work. The gardens, which boast seasonal floral displays, are maintained by the Lord and Schryver Conservancy and are open to the public on select days throughout the year.

7. Deepwood Museum and Gardens

​Deepwood was considered one of the most impressive and beautiful homes of its time. The Queen-Anne style home was built in 1894 by Dr. Luke A. Port .

The home sits on a five-acre park and has formal gardens (designed by Lord and Schryver), nature trails, a greenhouse and a carriage house. Tours of the home are available throughout the year and the grounds are open to the public.

8. Gaiety Hill-Bush’s Pasture Park Historic District

The Bush House, Deepwood and Gaiety Hollow are not the only historic homes in the neighborhood. Many of the neighboring homes are associated with prominent Salem figures, including Governor LaFayette Grover and Benjamin F. Harding.

The 143-acre historic district also contains the city’s largest concentration of Clarence Smith, a well-known Oregon architect, homes and Lord and Schryver gardens. The oldest home in the district, the Smith-Fry House, dates back to 1859. Not all of the structures are open to the public. Please respect the privacy of residents within the neighborhood.

9. Salem Pioneer Cemetery

Salem Pioneer Cemetery, also known as Odd Fellows Rural Cemetery , was first used in the 1850s. At 17 acres, it is the city’s largest historic cemetery, with more than 8,000 burials on record.

Among the buried are prominent Oregon pioneers, who are credited with establishing the state’s first government and the capital city’s educational and social institutions.

10. Oregon State Capitol

Salem hasn’t always been the state capital; both Oregon City and Corvallis once served as the state’s political center. Until a permanent location was decided on, the state went without a capitol building for 21 years.

After Salem’s first two state capitol buildings burned down, construction on the present-day capital building began in 1936. Completed two years later, the marble building is an example of Modernist Art Deco design.

Atop the capitol stands a 23-foot, bronze pioneer statue, which represents the independent spirit of Oregonians. It can be seen from miles away. The grounds surrounding the capitol building have been designated as a state park.

The park features dozens of statues and monuments that commemorate the state’s history. Take a self-guided walking tour of the capitol and grounds or opt for a guided historical tour of the building and tower.

11. Willamette University

Founded in 1842, Willamette University is the oldest higher education institution west of the Rocky Mountains. It is credited with establishing the first law school and school of medicine in the Pacific Northwest.

Although many of the buildings are not open to the public, there are several historic structures on campus that can be viewed from the outside. Built in 1903, Gatke Hall once served as Salem’s post office. It was moved to its current campus location in 1938.

The oldest remaining building on campus, Waller Hall , opened in 1867. Originally known as University Hall, the building housed the entire school in its early days. Fire has ripped through the building two times, with the interior being rebuilt each time.

12. Willamette Heritage Center

Fourteen historic structures are located on the Willamette Heritage Center’s five-acre campus. The Thomas Kay Woolen Mill , a National Park Service Designated Treasure, opened on the campus in 1889.

The current mill building was built in 1896, after a fire destroyed the original mill. After decades of producing flannels, blankets, tweeds and cassimere, the mill closed in 1962. It remains one of the only plants capable of demonstrating an entire manufacturing process by direct-drive water power in the United States.

Several other early settlement buildings, including two of the oldest standing wooden frame houses in the Pacific Northwest, have been moved to the campus. The buildings have permanent and changing exhibits, learning centers and event spaces. Self-guided tours are available six days a week.

13. Salem Southern Pacific Railroad Station

Built in 1918 for the Southern Pacific Railroad, Salem Station has been in continuous use since its completion. The station’s 1889 baggage depot also still stands on the property.

The station served as a venue for several significant historical events, including political stops by Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt, a temporary morgue for deceased World War II servicemen and a gathering station for Japanese-American families sent to internment camps. The station continues to be used today as a train depot for Amtrak passenger trains .

14. Oregon State Hospital

Known in the 19th century as the Oregon Insane Asylum , the Oregon State Hospital is the oldest mental health hospital in the state. It sits on a 130-acre campus right outside of downtown Salem. The hospital is still in operation today.

The public can tour the hospital’s museum of mental health to hear the stories of the hospital and the people who lived and worked there. In pop culture, the hospital was made famous in the film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” The Academy Award-winning movie was filmed at the hospital and featured several staff members and patients.

15. Court-Chemeketa Historic District

Just shy of 40 acres, the Court-Chemeketa Historic District is located east of downtown Salem. Many of the neighborhood’s homes were built from 1860-1937 and represent a variety of architectural styles, including Colonial variations, Gothic Revival and English Cottage.

While the homes in this area are not open to the public, you can still admire the architectural styles of the homes on a walk through the neighborhood. Please respect the privacy of the residents.

This website uses cookies to enhance the user experience on our website. Got it.

Experience Builder

Quick Search

Location Map

10 historical spots to visit in Salem, Oregon

Take a trip through history in salem.

If the Willamette Valley could speak for itself, you'd be spellbound with its tales spanning thousands of years of history - stories of geologic calamity, rich Native American cultures and Oregon Trail dreamers. 

Salem became the state's official capital in 1859, when Oregon was granted statehood. Today, dozens of buildings, museums, cultural centers, neighborhoods and historic sites in downtown Salem tell the tale of the valley's storied past. Take a trip through history at these fascinating historical locations: 

Salem Downtown Historic District

Salem's Downtown Historic District is a seven-block area bounded by Chemeketa, High, Ferry and Front streets. Nearly 62 percent of the buildings downtown, 57 in total, contribute to the city's history. At 11 stories tall, the Old First National Bank Building is hard to miss. It is downtown Salem's only �skyscraper.� Built in 1927, the building has elaborate ornamentation - including griffins, a standing human figure and bearded human faces on the outside of the building. You can visit the  Travel Salem Visitors Center  on the first floor. Since its opening in 1869, the  Reed Opera House  has been a significant cultural and social center in Salem. The building has housed the Oregon State Supreme Court, the State Library, an auditorium, hotels, stores and saloons. Today, you'll find boutique stores, art galleries, a ballroom and restaurants inside the building. Salem has an extensive network of  underground tunnels . Throughout history, these tunnels were allegedly used for the transportation of goods, opium dens and socializing. The tunnels are closed to the public, but you may notice the purple glass blocks and large metal plates in the sidewalk, which allowed light into the tunnels. 

Elsinore Theatre

The Elsinore Theatre has served Salem for more than 90 years. Built in 1926,  the theatre  was the brainchild of George B. Guthrie, a Portland attorney and private art collector. His dream was to design the best and finest theatre in the city. From the moment you walk in, theatergoers can feel Guthrie's dream come alive. The lobby of the theatre has murals designed to represent Shakespearean plays, grand staircases and stunning stained window glass. The theatre now  hosts a variety  of theatrical performances, live music and movies year-round. 

Union Street Railroad and Pedestrian Bridge

The Southern Pacific Railroad started building the  Union Street  Bridge in May 1912 with the goal of connecting Salem to the West valley. The  bridge required  a lift section because the river was heavily used for water transportation at the time. It is one of only a few Waddell & Harrington vertical lift railroad bridges in the state. The bridge permanently closed in 1980. Now repurposed as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, it is one of two bridges that  connects three Salem parks  and more than 20 miles of trails. 

Gilbert House Children's Museum

Built in 1887, the Gilbert House is  one of two  large-scale examples of Queen Anne architecture in the city. It symbolizes the prosperity of the children of Oregon Trail pioneers. The Gilbert House Children's Museum , named after Salem native A.C. Gilbert, opened in 1989. A.C. was a world-renowned toy manufacturer, Olympic athlete and magician. The museum offers 15 hands-on exhibits, an outdoor discovery area and educational programs for children.

Bush House Museum

Asahel Bush II, a pioneer banker, newspaper publisher and public figure, built the  Bush House  from 1877-1878 for his wife and four children. The 12-room home is Italianate in style, with elaborate woodwork, marble fireplaces and a veranda. The  Salem Art Association  maintains the historic home and offers tours throughout the week. The home retains many original furnishings, embossed French wallpapers and brass fittings. It sits on a 90.5-acre park,  Bush's Pasture Park , with gardens, wooded areas and open meadows. 

Gaiety Hollow

The Lord-Schryver firm, founded in 1929 by Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver, was the first female-owned landscape design firm in the Northwest. Through their 40 years of work, the duo designed more than 250 gardens in the Northwest, including several in the Salem area. Gaiety Hollow was Lord and Schryver's office, garden and home. It is considered the masterpiece of their life work. The gardens, which boast seasonal floral displays, are maintained by the Lord and Schryver Conservancy and are  open to the public  on select days throughout the year. 

Salem Pioneer Cemetery

Salem Pioneer Cemetery, also known as  Odd Fellows Rural Cemetery , was first used in the 1850s. At 17 acres, it is the city's largest historic cemetery, with more than 8,000 burials on record. Among the buried are prominent Oregon pioneers, who are credited with establishing the state's first government and the capital city's educational and social institutions. 

Oregon State Capitol

Salem hasn't always been the state capital; both Oregon City and Corvallis once served as the state's political center. Until a permanent location was decided on, the state went without a capitol building for 21 years. After Salem's first two state capitol buildings burned down, construction on the present-day capital building began in 1936. Completed two years later, the marble building is an example of Modernist Art Deco design. Atop the capitol stands a 23-foot, bronze pioneer statue, which represents the independent spirit of Oregonians. It can be seen from miles away. The surrounding  park features  dozens of statues and monuments that commemorate the state's history. Take a  self-guided walking tour  of the capitol and grounds or opt for a  guided historical tour  of the building and tower. 

W illamette Heritage Center

Fourteen historic structures are located on the Willamette Heritage Center's five-acre campus. The  Thomas Kay Woolen Mill , a National Park Service Designated Treasure, opened on the campus in 1889. The current mill building was built in 1896, after a fire destroyed the original mill. After decades of producing flannels, blankets, tweeds and cassimere, the mill closed in 1962. It remains one of the only plants  capable of demonstrating  an entire manufacturing process by direct-drive water power in the United States. Several other early settlement buildings, including two of the oldest standing wooden frame houses in the Pacific Northwest, have been moved to the campus. Self-guided tours are available six days a week. 

Oregon State Hospital

Known in the 19 th  century as the  Oregon Insane Asylum , the Oregon State Hospital is the oldest mental health hospital in the state. It sits on a 130-acre campus right outside of downtown Salem. The hospital is still in operation today. The public can tour the hospital's  museum of mental health  to hear the stories of the hospital and the people who lived and worked there. In pop culture, the hospital was made famous in the film �One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.� The Academy Award-winning movie was filmed at the hospital and featured several staff members and patients.