Columbia Gorge Discovery Center - The Dalles, OR - Museum

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, The Dalles, OR, is a large building that consists of two large wings and a center portion. Each wing houses different kinds of exhibits that focus on the region. One wing deals with the Columbia Gorge, and the other one houses the Wasco County Historical Museum.

The Discovery Center provides many exhibits and some of them are interactive for the younger generation. This makes it a valuable and educational place to visit. Together, both wings of the museum take up more than 43,000 square feet.

The Columbia Gorge side has exhibits that show how the Gorge was formed through the years. It reveals some of the geologic forces that had a part such as earthquakes, violent floods, and more. The wildlife and fauna of the Gorge are exhibited, too.

One of the main features of the museum is the ongoing research work by Ken Karsmizki on the Lewis and Clark expedition through the area. Research has shown that they carried about 30 tons of equipment with them and had at least 33 men as part of the group. Some of this actual equipment is on display. A TV show on the Discovery Channel has been made of this man's research and findings. Even NASA and the Air Force have also helped.

In the other wing of the museum, there are various exhibits that show what life was like historically in Wasco County. Many of these exhibits show various aspects of life - both past and present.

A special section for the kid's has also been created just for them, called the Kid's Explorer Room. One exhibit gives the children opportunity to discover what an archeological dig is like. They can also try and balance a boat - like Lewis and Clark had - with cargo so that it does not sink - and more.

There are a number of other exhibits, too, that are sure to get attention. The Ice Age exhibit has a life size mastodon model in it - 13 feet tall. The exhibit focuses on what may have caused the Ice Age, how it affected the Columbia Gorge region, and more.

The Museum also features some special exhibits that are not open to the public, but that individuals can get access to by appointment. There is a lock (padlocks) collection with more than 1,100 locks; a basket collection; a photo and a book collection. Other collections are now in the process of being assembled.

When you are in the area of the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, The Dalles, OR, visitors do not need to worry about not having anything else to do. For one thing, Mt. Hood and the Mt. Hood National Park are nearby. Here the visitor can find hiking trails, biking trails, skiing, mountain climbing, and much more. Timothy Lake offers boating and trails for hikers, bikers, and horse-riding.

Another must do activity is to ride the Mt. Hood Railroad. There are many different excursions available and meals are often provided, too. For the holidays, there are special train rides for the family such as The Polar Express which goes to the North Pole to see Santa; a 30-minute ride with Thomas the tank engine, Murder Mystery Dinner Rides, Western Train Robberies, and many more.