Stevenson, Washington

Come experience 15,000 years of history at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum. Located in the middle of the National Scenic Area in Stevenson, Washington, the museum is ideally situated to interpret the natural and cultural history of this beautiful region.

The first floor introduces the culture of the First Peoples, the Cascade Chinook.  Discover the impact contact with other cultures had on them, the emigration struggle to the West, early community development, transportation, and the harvesting of resources. In the grand gallery see for yourself the differences between the Cascade Chinook technique of dip netting for fish and the mechanical device, the fish wheel. Let our massive Corliss steam engine and our 1921 Mack log truck pique an interest in the history of the timber industry and the machinery of days past. Hanging in the grand gallery is a 1917 JN-4 Curtiss airplane, affectionately known as “The Jenny.” This type of plane was commonly used in mail deliveries, crop-dusting, and daredevil stunts called barnstorming.

The mezzanine level emphasizes natural history with displays about geology, botany, and entomology. An exciting explanation of the geological creation of the Gorge is presented in a 12-minute program in the main theater. The theater comfortably accommodates 45-60. The second floor galleries tell the stories of real people who left their mark on local communities and concludes with an eight-minute DVD program.  Enjoy this light-hearted approach to the past and the future of the Gorge in a theater seating 24.

Other exhibits to explore include: the Spiritual Quest Gallery; the Rosary Collection; and many outdoor exhibits, which include a diesel locomotive, cedar log carvings, logging equipment, a portion of the Broughton flume, and an interpretive kiosk. There is also an art gallery that hosts a variety of temporary and changing exhibits. The museum store offers a selection of souvenirs, gifts, books, and collectibles that pertain to the Gorge and the history and culture of the region.

For more information contact the museum by phone at (800) 991-2338, by e-mail at info@columbiagorge.org, or at Facebook at facebook.com/shewatches.