Oregon’s First Communal Society (1856-1883)
Discover the story of the Aurora Colony, a promised “Eden”at the end of the Oregon Trail.
Founded in 1856 by the dynamic Dr. William Keil and named for his eight year old daughter, Aurora Mills was Oregon’s first and most successful Christian communal society lasting until 1883.
Our Mission
The Aurora Colony Historical Society promotes
interactive lifelong learning by inspiring curiosity about, and preservation of, the heritage of the Aurora Colony.
The mission of the Aurora Colony Historical Society is to “promote interactive lifelong learning by inspiring curiosity about, and preservation of, the heritage of the Aurora Colony.”
"In 1956, a Centennial Celebration was organized by descendants of the Aurora Colonists and out of this gala event came a resolution to build a museum where the unique treasures of the Colony could be preserved and displayed.The Aurora Colony Historical Society was founded in 1963.The mission of the Aurora Colony Historical Society is to “promote interactive lifelong learning by inspiring curiosity about, and preservation of, the heritage of the Aurora Colony.”"