EDGEFIELD HISTORY
From rags to riches
Walking guide (PDF)

As hard as it may be to believe today, Edgefield, built in 1911, served for several decades as the Multnomah County Poor Farm. Residents operated a self-sufficient environment, raising hogs, poultry, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, operating a dairy, cannery and meat packing plant as well as working in the laundry, kitchen and hospital.

In 1947, it was renamed the Multnomah County Home and Farm and in the late fifties the farm operation was eliminated. In 1962, the facility was renamed Edgefield Manor and for the last two decades of operation, functioned as a nursing home and eventually closed in 1982.

McMenamins purchased the property from Multnomah County in 1990. In phases lasting over four years, the condemned buildings and land were transformed into a unique European-style village, including lodging, a pub with a movie theater, fine dining, a winery, a brewery, distillery, golf course, gardens, vineyards, artwork, meeting, wedding and banquet space, and special events year round.

"Vintage Edgefield"

The historic Georgian-revival style Manor dominates the village atmosphere and is surrounded by numerous smaller buildings that now share a role in entertaining visitors. Local artists showcase their artwork on doors, walls, and ceilings celebrating the history of Edgefield and the Columbia Gorge. The sculpted grounds and gardens tie the 25 acres together, making Edgefield a warm, relaxing and enchanting place to visit.

For more information on the history of the poor farm, Edgefield offers a fantastic book called "Vintage Edgefield - A History of the Multnomah County Poor Farm and McMenamins Edgefield." Written by local historian, Sharon Nesbitt, the book combines factual history with humor and is incredibly entertaining and is available for purchase at our Online Shop.