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

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First People

The Cascade Chinook

First People focuses on the history of the original people specific to this area of the Gorge, the Cascade Chinook. The replicated image of "Tsagaglalal" dominates the single monolith in the center of the space. Exhibit cases display artifacts with text panels explaining their religion, traditions, living style and tools. The Emory Strong Library is visible showing his collection of early man artifacts. It is a restricted use area, only accessible by appointment and for research.

The items of most interest may be the carved cedar totems, a shaman’s shield, Klickitat baskets, stone turtle bowl and stone tools.

Watch for the announcement of the opening of the Strong Library for restricted use or research in the fields of anthropology and archaeology. Emory Strong spent most of his life researching early man in the Columbia River Great Basin. The details of use are yet to be determined. The Library is not for public access. However, the majority of the artifacts are easily seen through large windows looking into a reproduction of Emory’s den.

Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center