Hours of Operation
Open Daily: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Closed: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
Call Us: (800) 991-2338
(509) 427-8211
Questions?: email us
Address Information
Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum
990 SW Rock Creek Drive
P.O. Box 396
Stevenson, WA 98648
Driving Directions
Time prints of the millennia are boldly etched on the walls of the Columbia Gorge. They record a 40-million-year-long story of change, endurance and majesty. The first human imprints in the Gorge were left by the Indian cultures that flourished here for thousands of years, drawing both spiritual and physical strength from this bountiful place.
When you visit the Columbia River Gorge Interpretive Center Museum, you are able to visualize and participate in the bountiful life of the Columbia River Gorge.
What's Happening at the Museum?
Sunday on Gorge History Presents:
“A Woman Alone: Mona Bell” Program
Stevenson, WA- She was one of Sam Hill’s mistresses. A colorful character, she lived in the mansion he built for her on the Oregon side of the Columbia River just five miles from the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum. And now her biographer is coming “home” to speak.
John Harrison, formerly a reporter for The Columbian, will speak at the museum Sunday, July 18th as part of the ongoing series, Sunday on the Gorge. His talk will be at 2 p.m. in the DeGroote Theatre and will include time for questions and answers. Attendance at the presentation is free with paid admission to the museum.
Harrison’s book, A Woman Alone: Mona Bell, Sam Hill and the Mansion on Bonneville Rock, is a close look at a towering personality of her time. Bell was a reporter at a number of newspapers. She reportedly appeared in Wild West shows and was known to be a crack shot. And despite his dalliances with other women, she stayed true to Hill until his death in 1931. When the federal government offered her twenty-five thousand for her house to make room for Bonneville Dam, she sued and won a sum more than triple the original offer.
Born in Minnesota in 1890, Bell was tall, athletic and well coordinated, according to Harrison. “She enjoyed being outdoors. She learned to ride horses and shoot rifles and pistols with a great deal of accuracy.” Harrison said he became interested in her story in 1985 when he read Dr. John Tuhy’s biography, Sam Hill: the Prince of Castle Nowhere, which mentions Mona briefly. Harrison was covering the Gorge for The Columbian at the time, and he thought a story about Mona and her mansion would be interesting.
“I contacted her son, Sam, who lived in California,” Harrison said. “I interviewed him and wrote the story, which he liked. We agreed to collaborate on a book about is mother, but then disappeared. Just vanished! After an extensive search, I found out what happened to him and I finally wrote the book.” Although the presentation is not about selling his book, he will have it available for those who attend and will gladly autograph your copy.
The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (800) 991-2338 or (509) 427-8211 for further information.
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Posted on Monday, July 05, 2010
Wine & All That Jazz 2010
“Wine and All That Jazz”
Stevenson, WA- Wine tasting, a blues and jazz band, fine art and good food are all to be enjoyed in an awesome pristine setting at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum on Saturday, July 17th, 2010 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The twenty dollars admission includes a free wine glass, script for one free tasting and admission to the Museum as well as the enjoyment of great blues and jazz. This is a fundraiser to benefit the programs and operation of the Museum.
Approximately seven Gorge wineries are expected to participate with each one showcasing three to four of their best varieties of wine. Expect to be served by such
Gorge wineries as North Shore of Bingen, Maryhill Winery of Maryhill, Wind River Cellars of Husum and Cathedral Ridge of Hood River, OR. Back by popular demand is Walking Man Brewing, a local brewery that offers unique and tasty suds for those who may not want wine.
Art from a half dozen or so artists will be displayed inside and outside the Museum. The Gorge artists will sell their work with a portion of each sale benefiting the museum.
Musical entertainment will be provided by Portland-based, The DK-4 band. The quartet will be a great asset to the event, providing high-energy, danceable tunes. The DK-4 serves up swinging, up timpo jump blues, hard-grooving New Orleans funk, slashing Chicago blues and DK Stewart’s own soulful, compelling originals. They will be easily heard from the Misner Patio.
The food will include a plank salmon and salad plate served by Skamania Lodge. Other choices will include a variety of cheese, crackers and fruit. Please, no personal coolers, alcohol or food. However, you may bring your own lawn chair or blanket allowing you to sit on the grass, to kick back and thoroughly enjoy great wine, good food, memorable music, fine art and a stunning view. Should you decide to stay over one more day, check with Skamania Lodge or Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa for weekend lodging packages.
For ticket information call 800.991.2338 or 509.427-8211. Note that should the weather not cooperate, all art and music will be inside.
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Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010
