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 History
comes alive at the Gorge Discovery Center
By
Patrick Johnson
For Oregon.com
Driving
through the Columbia River Gorge it hits you that over the course
of thousands of years, the landscape was carved from the earth creating
the majestic beauty.
Then you realize you need to keep your eyes on the road.
The gorge's unending beauty is only matched by the rich history
and lessons it can teach people willing to learn. Lucky for us,
there is the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum in The Dalles.
The center, located outside of The Dalles along the Columbia River
and highway 84, sits on a 54-acre plot and houses 48,200 square
feet of exhibit halls, meeting rooms and an auditorium, museum store,
café, research library and workrooms.
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Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum
5000 Discovery Drive
The Dalles, OR
541-296-8600
About the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and
Museum: Opened in 1997 the $21 million facility
is designed to inspire appreciation and stewardship
of the Columbia River Gorge and Wasco Country
through collection, preservation, and interpretation
of cultural and natural history resources. With
more than 18,000 square feet dedicated to exhibits
interpreting the cultural and natural history
of the area there is plenty to learn, see and
read when visiting.
What
to bring: Cameras are allowed in the center
and it is indoors and climate controlled. There
are paths and walking trails on the site - so
make sure if you are going on a walk to dress
accordingly.
Season:
The center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. They are closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving
Day and Christmas Day. General admission is $8
for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for children between
the ages of six and 16. Children five and under
are free.
Getting
there: Located off of exit 82 on Interstate
84, located at 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles.
You can contact them at 541-296-8600
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You
can spend hours reading and learning about the rich history of the
gorge - from the how it was formed, to the wildlife and native tribes
that inhabited the area. There is even an area where people can
try out a little wind surfing - without getting wet.
Along the floor in the main entryway is a map of the Columbia River
showing where towns are located and the winding nature of the largest
river on the West Coast. Of course there are also canoes and other
exhibits in the main hall - with each side of the building dedicated
to either the museum, on the right, or the gorge discovery center
on the left.
Making
a day at the center is easy to do if you want to spend time learning
as much as possible about the area. The Basalt Rock Café
provides a nice spot to read or grab lunch, prices are reasonable
and the food is standard lunch faire. There is seating indoors or
outside - but be warned that during the summer The Dalles can reach
temperatures topping 100 degrees.
The start of the gorge exhibit is covered in basalt rock - called
columnar basalt - which can be seen throughout the gorge. TV screens
give you the history of how the gorge was formed and theories to
its origin. The tour starts with the geology, and it makes you understand
how the wonderful vistas and rock formations were created. There
are even tips for kids throughout the exhibit at their eye level.
The same treatment is given to the weather, wildlife, wildflowers,
Indian tribes and the Lewis and Clark expedition throughout. The
final section of the center has a large explanation about the Cascade
Locks and how the dams were built. They even have an old automobile
in the hall to show what travel was like.
This summer "Cargo" was being featured in the entryway
- showing how cargo was brought by pioneers exploring the area.
A huge exhibit welcomes you as you come in with a pile of cargo
on logs that were used to traverse the river.
Each year about 57,000 visitors from around the country walk through
the halls and learn about one of the most incredible views on the
west coast.
Story
and photos by Patrick Johnson, a free-lance writer based in Canby,
OR.
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