The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is the official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This 26,100 square foot exhibit wing holds interactive displays which bring to life the tremendous volcanic upheavals and raging floods that created the Gorge, theories of why ice age’s occur, the mighty River which sculpted patterns for a unique and spectacular diversity of vegetation, wildlife, and ancient life ways, and follow the currents that shape our futures in the Gorge.

The Wasco County Historical Museum is a 17,200 square foot exhibit wing which tells the stories of the people of Wasco County past and present. Once the largest county in the nation, Wasco County is home, place of work, and gateway to the interior of western North America.

This unique, one of a kind, exhibition draws on 16 years of original research to interpret the material goods involved in launching the transcontinental expedition. Ken Karsmizki's research has revealed that roughly 30 tons of equipment was hauled by the 33-man expedition. Original inventories in the National Archives document that Lewis divided his equipment needs into seven distinct categories: Indian presents, arms and accoutrements, medicines, clothing, mathematical instruments, camp equipment and provisions, and transportation. Replicas and period objects help visitors understand the rationale for bringing it all along for use, consumption, gift, and trade. 
 

A Kids Explorer Room offers hands-on fun learning opportunities for children of all ages featuring an archaeological dig for making discoveries, a keelboat model that must be carefully loaded to prevent capsizing, trunks of Lewis and Clark era clothing for kids to try on, puzzles, and more.  

 

The 50 acres surrounding the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and the banks of the Columbia are habitat supportive of many life forms. An interpretive trail winds through this setting of cottonwoods, willows, cattails and sedges which give shelter and food to turtles, ducks, geese, eagles, raccoon, and songbirds. The trail also cuts through restored eastern Gorge vegetation featuring abundant wildflowers April through June, and golden hills and grasses in late summer. At any time of the year, visitors will be treated to our seasonal display of wildlife, signs interpreting flowers in bloom, and stunning vistas of the Columbia River Gorge and Klickitat hills.

During the end of the last Ice Age, successive floods from Glacial Lake Missoula raced across Eastern Washington and into the Columbia River system, dramatically reshaping the landscape. In their wake, coulees and scablands, gigantic gravel bars, and house-size erratic rocks were left to tell the tale.