The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum

Area History & Research

Historical research at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center touches many areas of interest, including Lewis and Clark archaeology, local
land settlement, Rock Fort, historic Fort Dalles and steamboats on western rivers. The collections are open for research by appointment.
Contact: collections@gorgediscovery.org or 541.296.8600

The William Dick Library
The library has over 2,000 volumes on local and regional history. Genealogy files are the strength of the library. The library also houses the Educator Resource Center (ERC) which provides educators free access to classroom curricula and materials. The library is open for research by appointment. Contact: collections@gorgediscovery.org or 541.296.8600

Carmagene Uhalde with Padlock Collection

Collections at the Discovery Center
The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center has more than 26,000 documented objects in its collections. Explore photographs, Native American artifacts, and household furnishings of the region. The Center is interested in expanding its collections and welcomes inquiries from potential donors. The collections are open for research by appointment. Contact: collections@gorgediscovery.org or 541.296.8600

Lewis & Clark Archaeology
Ken Karsmizki's archaeological search for Lewis and Clark began in Montana 16 years ago and since has spread to sites all along the trail. Developed over many years, his methodology led to the first Lewis and Clark site conclusively identified based on physical evidence, at Lower Portage Camp near Great Falls, Montana. Karsmizki's proven methodology is a lengthy painstaking process of map and journal analysis, geophysical survey and interpretation, test excavation and if warranted extensive excavation, and laboratory analysis. This analysis includes dendrochronology, radiocarbon dating, archaeomagnetic dating, lead isotope analysis, and faunal analysis at numerous laboratories in the United States and Canada. NASA and the United States Air Force have helped in this search, and Karsmizki's Lewis and Clark research is the subject of a Discovery Channel documentary entitled "The Search for Lewis and Clark" released June 2002. Ken has been affiliated with the Discovery Center since 2001 and currently serves as Adjunct Curator.

Explore the exihibit: Cargo—Lewis & Clark Expedition

Columbia Gorge Links

USDA Forest Service / Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area — http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act of 1986 established the Discovery Center as the official (national)
interpretive center for the Gorge. Historic and current information about the Columbia Gorge; helpful to recreational visitors.

Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute — http://www.gorgeecology.org
Life-long learning opportunities to foster a sense of wonder and community stewardship of the Columbia River Gorge's natural systems.

The Historic Columbia River Highway — http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/HCRH
Current topics and information about the historic highway, updated regularly by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Lewis and Clark Links

PBS Online: Lewis and Clark — http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark
Companion site to the Ken Burns film, 'Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery.' Information on the explorers,
expedition journals, trip timeline and maps, interviews with historical experts, an overview of Native American tribes, and
classroom lessons.

Lewis and Clark — http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisclark
National Geographic Kids' expedition gallery, with references.

Lewis and Clark Trail — http://www.LewisAndClarkTrail.com
Historical account of the Corps of Discovery along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Includes an events calendar, trail properties, and
trail treasures.

Following the Voyage of Discovery —http://www.lewisandclark.com/facts/faqs.html
A few historical FAQs, with an expedition map.

The Trail of the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery — http://lewis-clark-trail.us
This unique travel guide locates hundreds of attractions along the trail pioneered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Area Chamber and Visitor Associations

Columbia River Gorge Visitors Association — http://www.crgva.org
The CRGVA is a non-profit organization representing various businesses and organizations that provide services and
information to visitors throughout the Gorge.

The Dalles Chamber of Commerce — http://www.thedalleschamber.com
Located three miles from the Discovery Center in downtown The Dalles; local business listings, lodging, recreational,
and event information.

Hood River County Chamber of Commerce — http://hoodriver.org
Located in Hood River, OR; local business listings, lodging, recreational, and event information.

The Dalles and Wasco County History Links

Wasco County Visitor Information — http://co.wasco.or.us/county/visitors_main.cfm
Learn more about places to see and things to do while visiting The Dalles and other communities within Wasco County.

Historic The Dalles Days Oregon — http://www.historicthedalles.org
Includes local history for The Dalles and surrounding communities, a local calendar of events, information on the Fort Dalles
Days and Rodeo, and links to area attractions including the Fort Dalles Museum and Anderson Homestead, the Original Wasco
County Courthouse, and the Old St. Peter’s landmark.

Other Museums of Interest

Maryhill Museum of Art — http://www.maryhillmuseum.org
Just 29 miles from the Discovery Center near the eastern entry to the Columbia River Gorge in Maryhill, WA; features sculptures
and other works from Rodin, and art and artifacts from around the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon History Museum (Oregon Historical Society Museum) — http://www.ohs.org
Located in Portland, OR; preserving and thoughtfully interpreting Oregon's past.

Yakima Valley Museum — http://www.yakimavalleymuseum.org
Offers historical displays focusing on the Yakima Valley; its natural history, Native American culture, early pioneer life, and the
roots and development of the Valley's fruit industry.

The Museum at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute — http://www.tamastslikt.org
Located in Pendleton, OR; dedicated to the cultural history of the indigenous Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Umatilla tribes.

The Museum at Warm Springs — http://www.museumatwarmsprings.org
Conceived and created by The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, OR.

State Visitor Information Links

Columbia River Gorge Travel Information with Road and Weather Conditions — http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCmap.asp?
curRegion=0&mainNav=RoadConditions

Oregon — http://www.traveloregon.com

Washington — http://www.experiencewa.com