Mission Mill Museum

Address:1313 Mill St .
Salem, Oregon
Tel: (503) 585-7012

Visit the sprawling red Thomas Kay Woolen Mill, a water-powered mill built in 1889, and one of the most fascinating attractions in Salem!

The Mission Mill Museum features working displays of a woolen mill, the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill, the only woolen mill museum west of Missouri, and several historic Salem buildings that have been relocated to the mill site. The original Kay Woolen Mill was opened in 1890, by Thomas L. Kay, whose family eventually founded Pendleton Woolen Mills. Today, the museum includes a water power interpretive exhibit by Portland General Electric, which demonstrates how the mill was run using the water from Mill Creek. The restored buildings house exhibits on every stage of the wool-making process, and in the main mill building, the water-driven turbine is still in operation, producing electricity for the buildings.

Visitors can tour several other old structures, as well as the Tuckers at the Mill café, open for lunch and tea. The museum also has a collection of interesting shops nearby.

To get to the Mission Mill Museum from I-5 north or south, take exit 253, and turn West onto Hwy 22 (Mission Street). Go approx. 1.7 miles. Just before Mission Street Bridge turn Right onto 17th St. Go three blocks and turn left on Mill Street. Go about four blocks and you'll see Big Red Buildings on your right.

Mission Mill Museum is regionally known as a premier Salem, Oregon historical attraction. The Mission Mill Museum grounds include the1898 Thomas Kay Woolen Mill which is the anchor attraction.