Volunteers Make the Difference!

THA volunteers make it possible to preserve the history of the Tigard area, maintain the John Tigard House and host community events. Volunteering is fun and rewarding.  We have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities:

• Grant Writer:  Support the maintenance of the John Tigard House and the work of THA by writing grants for various projects.  Computer skills required.

• Membership Coordinator:  Maintain the database of THA members.  Send letters to recognize new members and renewals.  Develop ideas for increasing membership.  Computer skills needed.

• Photo Archivist:  Work with the THA photographer/webmaster to locate historical photos of Tigard area and take “before and after” photos of historic buildings, farms, parks and scenic locations.  Digital photo processing skills desirable.

• Oral History Interviews:  Collect the history of the Tigard area by interviewing long time residents using the THA video camera.  Transcribe summary of interview for the THA archives.

• Publicity Chair:  Compose and send out to various media outlets the publicity for the five events which THA sponsors each year.   Computer skills required.

• Event Planning:  Assist in the planning for THA events which emphasize the history of Tigard and the mission of the Tigard Historical Association. Plan pioneer demonstrations, period music and historical displays.

• Gardening: Help to plant and maintain the heirloom flower gardens at the 1880 John Tigard House.

• Children's activities: Coordinate activities for children at THA events and lead tours of local school children

Questions?  Call us at 503 747-9856 or email info@tigardhistorical.org

Thank You
City of Tigard Parks!

The grounds of the John Tigard House are maintained by the City.  They regularly mow the lawn, edge the grass and trim the apple trees on the grounds.  The JTH is always ready for the next event!  Thank you!

The JTH is located at 103rd St. and Canterbury Lane, is open for special events and by appointment. 
Please call 503-747-9856.  
Click here for a map.

First Bank of Tigard

Dr. Barbara Bennett Peterson wrote a feature article in "Tigard Life" that tells the story of The First Bank of Tigard.  She writes that the bank was established to meet local farmers’ needs, eliminating the long travel to neighboring towns like Portland or Hillsboro for banking. The inspiration for the bank and its first president was Charles F. Tigard, the son of Wilson Tigard, for whom the city of Tigard is named. 

Charles Tigard served as bank president from its inception on April 5, 1919, until his retirement in 1942. The bank was first capitalized with $15,000 and was located in a new brick building on Tigard’s Main Street in Old Town. This brick building had been constructed by H.F. Bonesteel and remains in its original location today, surrounded by other buildings along Main Street.

Charles F. Tigard was a recognized community leader. He had served as a state legislator in 1895 and 1911, operated the Tigardville Store on Pacific Highway, and previously managed the family farm. He had named the area East Butte “Tigardville” when he opened a postal station in his general store in 1886.

THA would like to acknowledge and thank "Tigard Life" publishing this article.  Photo:  Tigard Historical Association

Learn About the Origins of Tigard

Dr. Barbara Bennett Peterson wrote a feature article in "Tigard Life" that tells the story of how our Tigard was settled in 1876.  The City has come a long way since then and you can see the majestic John Tigard House at the corner of 103rd and Canterbury.  Built in 1880, the home was a wedding gift from Wilson Tigard to his son to John.  

Pandemic permitting, THA hopes to celebrate Curtis Tigard memories at the John Tigard House in April 2023.

Dr. Barbara Bennett Peterson is a former professor of history at Oregon State University, the historian/writer for the Tigard Historical Association, which preserves the John Tigard House Museum.

THA would like to acknowledge and thank "Tigard Life" publishing this article.