About the Hoover-Minthorn House Museum
In the heart of the Willamette Valley wine growing region, near Portland, Herbert Hoover’s childhood home is located in Newberg, Oregon.
There are three buildings on our property, one of which is the museum house that is open to visitors. Additionally, there are gardens and an orchard to explore. A tour of the house enchants the visitor with the day-to-day life of Dr. Henry John Minthorn, a 19th-century rural Quaker doctor, and his family in 1880s Oregon. Dr. Minthorn welcomed his nephew, a young and orphaned Herbert Hoover, to live with the Minthorn family after the death of Hoover’s parents in Iowa.
Our visitor experience shines a light on the early upbringing of Herbert Hoover and his later humanitarian efforts during World Wars I and II, as well as his presidency from 1929 – 1933. The museum house is furnished with period items, including Hoover’s bed and many items gifted by Hoover’s family.
Member of NSCDA and Great American Treasures
The National Society of The Colonial Dames in America (NSCDA)
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) promotes appreciation for the people, places, and events that led to the formation and development of our country. It is an apolitical 501(c)(3) incorporated association of 44 State Societies with more than 15,000 members, headquartered in Washington, D.C. The NSCDA has been a leader in the field of historic preservation, restoration, and the interpretation of historic sites for more than 125 years. It is the Oregon Society of the NSCDA which has owned and operated the Hoover-Minthorn House Museum (HMHM) for the past 43 years.
The Oregon Society was formed by fifteen charter members in the Portland area more than 100 years ago. Their goals, which remain the same today, were historical preservation and education, and patriotic service. Their historic name also remains the same, however today’s members are commonly referred to as the Oregon Dames. Members of the Oregon Dames generously contribute both time and money in support of the HMHM and its programs.
