Springfield, OR – The Springfield History Museum has taken a significant step in making its extensive collection of artifacts more accessible to the public. With over 12,000 items that chronicle the rich history of Springfield and rural east Lane County, the Museum is now offering an online catalog that allows users to explore its collection from anywhere.

Over the past several months, Museum staff and dedicated volunteers have been working diligently to transfer the Museum’s catalog records to a new, cloud-based database powered by CatalogIt Collections Management. This move marks the first time that the public can access portions of the Museum’s collection online. Currently, more than 5,000 photographs from the permanent collection are available, with plans to add 3D objects and archival materials in the coming months.

“This is a momentous step for the Museum,” said Maddi McGraw, Curator at the Springfield History Museum. “Only about 3% of our collection is on display at any given time, so this new online access allows the public to explore Springfield’s history without needing to visit in person.”

The online catalog can be accessed through the CatalogIt “Hub”, where Springfield’s collections are featured alongside those of other museums. The public can visit the catalog directly or through the Springfield History Museum’s website.

This project was made possible through the support of the Springfield Public Library Foundation and was partially funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.

For more information about the Springfield History Museum or to learn about volunteer opportunities, contact Maddi McGraw at 541-726-3677 or mmcgraw@springfield-or.gov .

About the Springfield History Museum: Discover Springfield’s history at the Springfield History Museum, located at 590 Main Street, Springfield, OR. As the official historical repository and interpretive center for the City of Springfield, the Museum is dedicated to fostering awareness of the city’s history, connecting the past with the present, and celebrating the diverse communities of Springfield and rural east Lane County. Regular hours are Thursday-Saturday, 10 AM – 3 PM, with extended hours during Downtown Springfield’s Second Friday Art Walks each month from 5 PM – 7:30 PM. For more information, call 541-726-2300.