The William G. Dick Research Library houses over 2,900+ books, 480 Topical and 1900 Genealogy surname files. Library use is free and does not require museum admission, but your donations are always welcome. Photocopies are available for a small fee.

Our library is currently staffed by volunteers, and is available by appointment only. Please send us an email to schedule an appointment: library@gorgediscovery.org. 

 

Do you love books and digging into local research? We would love for the library to be open more hours, but need more volunteers to staff it. If you are interested in volunteering please contact our Volunteer Program Director, Britney Gitch britney@gorgediscovery.org. 

 

Some research topics of interest include: 

 

• History of Wasco County and the Columbia River Gorge

• Local pioneer biographies and memoirs

• History of area Schools, Churches, and Lodges

• The Dalles High School yearbooks, 1911 – 2019

• Wahtonka High School Yearbooks through 2001

• City Directories for The Dalles and surrounding towns

• Local newsletters – Maupin, Shaniko, Sherman County

• Capt. Arvid Leppaluoto scrapbooks, with photos and information on river boats and barges.

• Jerry Tanquist collection, History of Railroads and Trains

• Native American culture and history

• Archaeology of the Mid Columbia Basin

• Columbia River Geology, Ecology & Resource Extraction

• Wasco County Extension Office Fat Stock auctions

• Oregon State College Extension Service, Annual reports in Wasco County, 1930s-1940s.

• National Historic District Landmarks in Wasco County - Sally Donovan

• Area cemetery records – Anita Drake collection

 

For more information, contact library@gorgediscovery.org. Please expect a small delay before a volunteer can get back to you.