Museums and Interpretive Centers The History Museum of Hood River County, adjacent to the Visitor Center, is a great place to orient yourself to the historical roots of the area. Exhibitions explore Indigenous culture, early settlers, the timber and agricultural history, and the experiences and culture of the Japanese and Hispanic residents of the Hood River area. Near the Hood River County airport, the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum contains a treasure trove of vintage planes, automobiles and motorcycles. Many are quite rare, and remarkably, all of them are operational. Head west to Cascade Locks Historical Museum and delve into the fascinating history of Columbia River engineers and lock tenders. Photos and artifacts are on view in a historic lock tender’s home, built in 1905, and on the grounds you can see the Oregon Pony, the first steam locomotive on the West Coast. In Parkdale, an agricultural community located along the Hood River County Fruit Loop and about 16 miles south of Hood River, is the Hutson Museum. Established in 1922 by the Hutson family, who were avid rockhounds, the museum’s centerpiece is an impressive collection of rock and mineral specimens. The museum also explores the history of the Upper Hood River Valley through Native American artifacts and community memorabilia. Galleries and Outdoor Art An array of galleries features the work of local artists. The 301 Gallery, housed in a beautifully restored 1924 Egyptian Revival bank building in downtown Hood River, is a co-op of 15 artists working in all media. At the Frame Gallery, Art on Oak or Made in the Gorge — the oldest co-op in Hood River — shop for textiles, ceramics, photography, glass and jewelry. Each spring the Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour is another opportunity to meet local artists and see works in progress. Large-scale murals depicting life in the region decorate several outdoor spaces, including the south support of Bridge of the Gods, the impressive steel-truss cantilever bridge spanning the Columbia; see a mural depicting the original Bridge of the Gods legend, local wildlife and historical events of the area. The vibrant Remains Mural, along Third Street/Industrial Way/Columbia Street in Hood River celebrates the region’s mountain peaks, biplanes, apple blossoms and even bees. A 200-foot mural on the Diamond Fruit Growers warehouse in Odell depicts the history of local orchards and honors migrant Japanese and Latino farmworkers in the Hood River Valley. Hood River BIG ART Outdoor Gallery showcases largescale sculpture and public art installations by well-known Northwest artists in more than two dozen locations. Take it all in via a self-guided walking or biking tour around downtown Hood River, along the waterfront and in the Heights. Download a map and tune in to the accompanying podcast to hear artists talk about their work. Hood River is home to more than 20 Big Art locations. Enjoy a free, self-guided tour! BIG ART Learn more at art-of-community.com Explore the Past! Open Monday-Saturday 11am-4pm 300 E Port Marina Drive Hood River visithoodriver.com 33
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==