Who We Are and
What We Do

Advocates for Willamette Falls Heritage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (formerly the Willamette Falls Heritage Foundation), dedicated to supporting historic preservation, educational initiatives, and heritage-related projects within the region from the mouth of the Clackamas River to the mouth of the Tualatin River. Since its inception in 2002, AWFH has been devoted to celebrating the industrial history of the Falls area. In 2018, the Foundation also registered as “Friends of the Locks” in Oregon.

Our mission is to enhance public awareness of West Linn's history and to highlight the often-overlooked historic transportation and industrial resources on the west side of the Willamette River. Our Board members are committed to forging visionary and constructive partnerships with Oregon’s heritage organizations to advance the preservation community and enrich the quality of life for Oregonians.

Contributions to AWFH are tax-deductible. Please note that the Advocates does not have members and does not provide grants.

Mission Statement

Preserving and sharing the stories of human enterprise and the power of the water at the great falls of the Willamette River.

Focus and Priorities

Develop information sources about the industrial and cultural heritage at the falls.

Support current facilities and industries to the extent they remain economically viable.

Promote transformation and repurposing of facilities that preserves and reflects their long heritage in the communities at the falls.

Encourage and repurpose or adaptive reuse to preserve iconic historic structures while increasing accessibility to the falls and historical features, and ensuring on-site interpretation of their history.

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Strategies

Implement our mission and priorities through education, outreach, advocacy, art, conservation, partnerships, service and research.

Projects and Initiatives

Support Transfer of Ownership and Reopening the Willamette Locks.

Coordinate with PGE, Willamette Falls Paper Company, and ODFW on ways to preserve and utilize Mill A and provide access to the viewing of Willamette Falls.

Advocate for Heritage and Preservation Interests within West Linn Old City Hall District and the Industrial Heritage District of the West Linn Waterfront Project.

Collection Responsibility.

Increase Awareness of the Foundation and its Mission.

Multi-Year Vision Statements

By 2029, strong partnerships within the Heritage Area and leadership by the Foundation will have resulted in a vibrant and varied community of Locks users navigating once again around the Willamette Falls. 

We will have interpretive information within the Locks to educate travelers from the water. Our industrial history will attract both heritage and natural history tourists from around the world and children from classrooms across the State. Stern Wheeler heritage tours are part of this vision.

Willamette Falls Area Attractions

  • River City Walk

  • Tours of historic mills within the former West Linn Paper Company

  • Restored and reopened Locks Museum

  • Heritage bed and breakfast accommodations

  • A new historically respectful West Linn river-view hotel

  • Seasonal events on and along the river for all ages on the completed Greenway