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New Museum Exhibit Explores Springfield Utility Board’s 75 Years of History

Springfield History Museum to Open “PosSUBilities: 75 Years of the Springfield Utility Board” on August 8

Springfield, OR – Springfield, OR – The Springfield History Museum invites the community to explore the history of public utilities in Springfield with its newest exhibit, “PosSUBilities: 75 Years of the Springfield Utility Board,” opening August 8, 2025. This exhibit highlights major milestones in SUB’s development from 1950 to today – showcasing how the utility helped shape the city and continues to influence its future.

 

Created in collaboration with the Springfield Utility Board, the exhibit features rare archival photographs, historic documents, and personal reflections that trace SUB’s journey over the past 75 years.

 

“SUB was created by Springfield voters 75 years ago, and we have been part of the fabric of the community ever since,” says Jeff Nelson, SUB General Manager. “This dynamic exhibit captures amazing moments and shares interesting artifacts from our early history. It also gives Springfielders a look at the water and electric projects underway now that pave the way to our future.”

 

A Community Story with a Vision for the Future

“Utilities are essential to the growth of any community, said Museum Curator Maddi McGraw. “Since 1950 SUB has been at the forefront of Springfield’s ability to thrive. It’s been an honor to work with SUB staff to bring this story to life for our visitors!”

 

Opening Night Reception

Celebrate the exhibit’s debut during the Downtown Springfield Second Friday Art Walk:

  • Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
  • Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.
  • Where: Springfield History Museum, 590 Main Street, Springfield
  • Admission: Free – Enjoy light refreshments and connect with community members, exhibit curators, and SUB staff.

 

Exhibit Details

  • Title: PosSUBilities: 75 Years of the Springfield Utility Board
  • Dates: August 8 through December 27, 2025
  • Location: Kathleen Jensen Gallery, Springfield History Museum, 590 Main Street, Springfield, OR
  • Admission: Always free

 

Plan Your Visit

The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Learn more at wheremindsgrow.org/history_museum, or follow on social media:

Facebook: @SpringfieldMuseum)

Instagram: @springfieldmuseum_oregon

 

Media inquiries

Maddi McGraw, Curator

541-726-3677 | mmcgraw@springfield-or.gov

 

About the Springfield History Museum

The Springfield History Museum, managed by the Springfield Public Library, serves as the City’s official historical repository and interpretive center. The Museum’s mission is to foster awareness of Springfield’s history, connect the past to the present, and celebrate the diverse communities that call Springfield and rural east Lane County home.

 

Regular Museum hours are Thursday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Admission is always free.

Press Releases & News

Third Annual Fright! At the Museum Set to Scare Springfield This October

Springfield, OR – This October, the Springfield History Museum is gearing up to host its third annual Fright! At the Museum, a haunted house fundraiser that promises a spook-tacular journey through local history. The museum will be transformed into a haunted space on October 17, 18, 19 and October 24, 25, 26, offering thrills for visitors of all ages.

From 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each evening, the museum will offer a family-friendly experience with fewer scares and more lights—perfect for younger children. But as the clock strikes 6:30 p.m., the lights will dim, and the real thrills will begin. Designed for older children and adults, this later session will bring the museum’s eerie transformation to life. Visitors who make it through the frightful fun will be rewarded at the "recovery station" with photo opportunities and free snacks.

Admission prices are set at $5 for adults, $3 for kids aged 5-17, and free for children under 5. Families with five or more members can take advantage of a discounted rate of $20. All proceeds from the event will directly support the Springfield History Museum's collections, programs, and exhibits.

The Springfield History Museum, located at 590 Main Street, Springfield, Oregon, will once again serve as the perfect historic backdrop for this electrifying event. Housed in the historic Oregon Power Company substation, the museum provides a unique atmosphere for guests to immerse themselves in Springfield’s haunted history.

For more information, visit the museum’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldMuseum or call 541.726.2300.

Press Releases & News

Springfield History Museum Closed January-June 2024 For Collections Care Project

The Springfield History Museum houses over 11,000 artifacts related to the history of Springfield and rural east Lane County, and makes those objects available to the public for research, programs, exhibits, and more. Museum staff are responsible for the long-term care of these items (ranging from photographs and handwritten letters to farm tools and textiles) so that we can continue to learn from them long into the future.

Caring for this huge collection of important items takes space, dedication, and most importantly-attention and time. For these reasons, the Springfield History Museum will be closing its door to the public from January 1 through July 11, 2024 while staff and volunteers work to process and conserve as many artifacts as possible. During this time, our 2023-2024 Illumination exhibit, focused on the Black and African American experience in Springfield and rural east Lane County, will be on display in our front windows facing 6th and Main Street. The Museum will reopen for the July 12, 2024 Downtown Second Friday Art Walk with a new exhibit focused on the outcomes of the collections care project.

Curator Maddi McGraw says that while the Museum will be closed to the public during this period, “focusing our work on caring for these precious artifacts is truly in the public’s interest. If we lose these objects through neglect, we lose the story of our community.”

Stay up to date with our progress, learn more about caring for museum artifacts, and find ways to access exhibits and more through our Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldMuseum and our Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/springfieldmuseum_oregon/. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering to help with the project, contact Maddi McGraw at 541.726.3677 or mmcgraw@springfield-or.gov.

What: Springfield History Museum Collections Care Closure
When: January 1-July 11, 2024.
Where:  Springfield History Museum, 590 Main Street, Springfield, OR
Additional Information: Maddi McGraw, 541.726.3677 or mmcgraw@springield-or.gov

Instagram: @springfieldmuseum_oregon   Facebook: @SpringfieldMuseum  Website: https://wheremindsgrow.org/your_library/museum

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Springfield Public Library | 225 5th Street [Inside City Hall] | Springfield, OR 97477-4636 | (541) 726-3766 Springfield Oregon

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