Multnomah County, OR. — Multnomah County voters will decide May 19 whether to renew a five-year local option levy supporting the Oregon Historical Society (OHS), a measure that would continue existing funding without increasing the current tax rate.
Measure 26-261 would maintain the levy at 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value beginning in 2026, replacing the levy first approved by voters in 2021. For a home assessed at $250,000, the annual cost would remain $12.50.
If approved, the levy would generate an estimated $3.88 million in fiscal year 2026-27, gradually increasing to approximately $4.37 million by 2030-31 as assessed property values rise.
According to the ballot measure, levy funds would support the Oregon Historical Society’s downtown Portland museum and research library, educational programming, free admission for Multnomah County residents and school groups, and preservation of Oregon historical collections. The funding would also continue support for four East County historical organizations: East County Historical Organization, Gresham Historical Society, Troutdale Historical Society, and Crown Point Country Historical Society.
Founded in 1898, OHS serves as both a statewide history institution and Multnomah County’s primary historical archive, maintaining photographs, maps, oral histories, manuscripts, and exhibits documenting Oregon and county history. OHS reports approximately 40,000 annual in-person visitors and more than 1.3 million online users accessing digital collections and educational materials.
Supporters say the levy preserves public access to Oregon’s historical resources while keeping free museum admission for county residents and students. Levy funding accounts for about one-third of OHS operations, with the remainder coming from admissions, grants, donations, and earned revenue.
The measure also includes accountability provisions, including annual public audits and oversight from an independent citizen committee appointed by the Multnomah County Chair to monitor expenditures and ensure compliance with voter-approved purposes.
If voters reject the measure, the current levy will expire, potentially reducing operational funding for OHS programs and associated county historical societies.
Ballots for the May 19 election will determine whether Multnomah County continues its direct public investment in preserving and expanding access to Oregon’s historical and cultural institutions.
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