Museums

Museums can give you much more than just a peek at the past; they can transport you into another era and bring the past alive. That is just what the Okanogan County Historical Society does with such skill. The Okanogan County Historical Museum and Firehall Museum Complex feature a replica of an old west town from the early 1900's with an old-fashioned main street display, an old settlers cabin, the original town gazebo, a display of the apple industry history, and a research center. The Firehall in the complex was rebuilt from the original plans. You can still see the original fountain/water trough, early (1918) fire trucks and old fire suppression devices. The Okanogan Historical Society places and maintains a system of signs throughout the county to identify and describe some of the many historic sites and points of interest. To find these snapshots of the past, check with the Historical Society for their locations.

One of the most inspiring stories of the Okanogan is that of Frank Matsura. During the “flowering” of Japan (the opening of its borders in the late 1800’s) Frank Matsura, a member of the upper class Shogunate, immigrated to Washington State. He arrived in Conconully in 1903 as a cook’s helper, moved to Okanogan in 1907 and soon became a beloved member of the community and world-renowned photographer. His funeral in 1913 drew more than 300 American Indian and white mourners. His photographs are a significant legacy both artistically and historically. Artistically, he was an evocative photographer, able to put people at ease. He frequently traveled to the Colville Reservation and his photographs of American Indians are remarkable for the un-contrived, relaxed glimpse he gives of their life. Historically, he recorded the area’s transition as the frontier days ended. The Okanogan Independent wrote “He was always on the job. Whenever anything happened Frank was there with his camera to record the event.” The Okanogan County Historical Society houses half of Matsura’s original collection of photographs, and “a replica of his studio.

The Colville Tribal Museum located in Coulee Dam features many historical displays of early Indian settlements and their lifestyles.

In Conconully near the entrance of the state park is a replica of the first county courthouse. It features a sod roof and is typical of many of the ranch cabins from the early years of white settlement in the Okanogan. In 1889, Conconully was the county seat, and a beacon for prospectors all over the west. Learn more at the Conconully Museum.

The elementary school in Tonasket has a map of the old one-room, sod roof schoolhouses that can still be found dotting the landscape. The Conconully Museum focuses on the area as it was at the turn of the century and features everyday living including mining and ranching

In western Okanogan Country, take advantage of free admission at the Shafer Museum in Winthrop to wander their outdoor exhibits, early day cabin and displays of the early settlers, miners, and ranchers in the Methow Valley.

In the northern area of Okanogan Country absorb some of the rich history of the area at the old Train Depot Museum or the McDonald log cabin Customs House at the Okanogan Borderlands Historical Museum in Oroville.

The Borderlands Museum hosts a new special exhibit of native, mining & railroad artifacts every year. They also sponsor an annual event in August-- Heritage Days & Miner's Rally - which features an art show, antique trucks, farmers market and native dancers & drummers.

Fifteen miles east of Oroville is the former boomtown of old Molson. The Old Molson Ghost Town Museum has full-scale buildings, farming and mining equipment on five acres. A quarter mile north is the Molson School Museum, a 1914 brick building, housing 4 floors displays, a restored classroom, the original school library and wonderful displays of hand tools, household artifacts and photographs from days gone by. A tea room is open in the schoolhouse from June through August.

In the Northwestern corner of Okanogan Country, Curlew is home to three National Register of Historic Places sites: the Curlew school, bridge and Ansorge Hotel. Walking into the lobby of the Ansorge Hotel Museum is like walking through a time portal into 1936. This fully restored 100-year-old hotel retains most of its original furnishings. Republic is a town with a turn-of-the-century look and a heritage based on mining and logging. The Republic Historical Center features a collection of historical photos and exhibits that depict the area history and the oldest structure in Republic, the Kaufman Cabin. Stonerose provides a guide to an historic walking tour and the murals at various places around town. Republic’s merry-go-round has fully restored hand carved horses built by the famous Armitage Herschell Spillman Company, is one of only 150 left in the U.S., and has been a tradition at the Ferry County fair on labor day weekend since 1958. Near Malo has an Antique Truck and Car Museum and the Stonerose Interpretive Fossil Center is near Republic. Fifty million years ago the area currently occupied by the City of Republic was part of an ancient lake. That lakebed hardened into shale and preserved (fossilized) the plants, insects and fish that drifted to the lake bottom. Scientists from all over the world, and schoolchildren from all over the northwest, travel to the Stonerose Interpretive Center and Eocene Fossil Site to study these beautifully preserved fossils

		Fort Okanogan State Park Brewster Brewster, Wa - 98812 http://www.parks.wa.gov :: Show on Map :: A 45-acre day-use park set on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River. The park has 1,000 feet of "high" freshwater shoreline, but no beach accessibility. Open during Summer months only.
		Molson Museum 915 Nine Mile Road Oroville, Wa - 98844 509-485-3292 509-485-3266 :: Show on Map ::
		Okanogan County Historial Society 1410 2nd Avenue North PO Box 1129 Okanogan, Wa - 98840 509-422-4272 http://www.okanoganhistory.org :: Show on Map ::
		Shafer Museum Winthrop, Wa - 98862 509-996-2712 :: Show on Map ::