About Us

The Polk County Historical Society manages two museum sites in Polk County, Oregon; the Polk County Museum in Rickreall and Brunk Farmstead on Hwy 22. The Museum is a 14,000-square-foot facility located about eight miles west of Salem in the middle of the Willamette Valley, near the junction of Highway 99 W and Highway 22. Besides displaying a wealth of local artifacts, it is also a research facility with a fine archival collection of both documents and photographs. The Brunk Farmstead is a museum and educational environment for the study of Polk County and Oregon history. Maintained as an historic house, museum and farmstead, including heritage trees and gardens and on the National Register of Historic Places and is an Oregon Historic Site. It is located between the junctions of Hwy 51 into Independence and Oak Grove Road and historically known as Brunk's Corner.

PCHS sponsors and hosts a variety of programs throughout the year including a monthly program of presenters discussing historic themes, a free Family Day in the spring and a free Family Apple Fest in the fall. Brunk Farmstead provides classes teaching monthly pioneering practices including beginning blacksmithing. Both facilities are open for group tours and are available for rental space. Ideal for a unique gathering and a bit of history to boot.