Collections & the William G. Dick Research Library
Research & Collections
The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum collections include thousands of historic objects, photos and documents archived for research and protection, including:
● Native American History and Culture in the Mid-Columbia Basin
● The Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Expedition
● Pioneer and Settler History
● Oregon Trail History—including a large photo archive of trail inscriptions
● History of Railroads, Riverboats and the Historic Columbia River Highway
● Genealogy and topical files
● The Columbia River—Archaeology, Geology, Ecology & Resource Extraction
● Local History of Wasco County and Neighboring Counties.
To inquire about accessing our collection for research purposes or if you have questions about donating objects to the Museum please contact our Collections Registrar, Susan Buce, at collections@gorgediscovery.org.
Historic Photo Archives
Our photo archives cover a wide range of topics include Celilo Falls, Columbia River Gorge, riverboats, trains, early pioneers, agriculture, historic landmarks and people from The Dalles and area communities. Electronic copies of images are available for a small fee.
Read more here.
William G. Dick Research Library
Large selection of books and documents, with a focus on local history, genealogy and topical files. The William G. Dick Research Library is currently staffed by volunteers, and available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, email: library@gorgediscovery.org. Library use is free and does not require paid museum admission, but donations are always welcome.
Oregon Trail Inscriptions
The Oregon-California Trail Emigrant Inscription project established the first comprehensive collection of emigrant inscription metadata and clear photographs from the main route of the Overland Trail. Utilizing a technique of polarized-light photography, 5000 images capture faint, pigmented details left on the surface of rocks along the Oregon Trail, documenting the names inscribed by Oregon Trail pioneer emigrants.
Collections
The objects in our collections include Native American baskets and stone tools from the Mid-Columbia region, The Dalles Chronicle newspaper archives 1864–1979, historic documents and maps, rare books, plus a few other quirky collections— and so much more.
The large basketry collection at Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum showcases hundreds of intricately designed Native American baskets unique to the mid-Columbia basin and the Pacific Northwest.
George Lawrence Company Collection & Exhibit
This collection and exhibit features the leatherworking machinery and tools of an industry integrally tied to the history of the west. From Irish immigrant roots dating to 1857, the George Lawrence Company of Portland grew to become a famed icon in saddle making. The artistry and skill of 140 years in operation is conveyed in this unique collection, funded by The James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation, the Oregon Cultural Trust, and the Lawrence family.