Collections & the William G. Dick Research Library
Research & Collections
The Museum collection safeguards thousands of historic objects, including hundreds of Native American Baskets, stone implements and other artworks, Oregon Trail objects and ephemera, ranching and farming tools, furniture, clothing and over 2,600 books, files, sound recordings, video and other media covering all aspects of the Columbia River Gorge area including:
● Native American History and Culture
● The Lewis and Clark Expedition
● Pioneer History
● Oregon Trail History—including a large photo archive of trail inscriptions
● History of the Railroads and Historic Highway
● Genealogy–Over 800 Surnames
● Natural History of Plants & Animals
● The Columbia River–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 Archive
Topics include Celilo Falls, Columbia River Gorge, riverboats, trains, early pioneers and historic landmarks in The Dalles and area communities from the mid-1800s through the 20th century. Electronic copies of images are available for a small fee.
To access the online photo archive, click here.
If you would like to purchase a digital image of one of the photos in our collection, contact the Museum Registrar at collections@gorgediscovery.org or call 541-296-8600 ext. 242
William G. Dick Research Library
The William G. Dick Research Library is available by appointment only. Please send us an email to schedule an appointment: library@gorgediscovery.org. Library use is free and does not require Museum Admission but your donations are always welcome. Our library is run by volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering please contact our Volunteer Program Director, Britney Gitch britney@gorgediscovery.org.
Photocopies are available for a small fee.
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.
Native American Baskets of the Pacific Northwest
The 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.