Umatilla Museum
 & Historical Foundation

The Umatilla Museum and Historical Foundation was started eight years ago.  The purpose was to preserve the history of the Umatilla community and the surrounding area.  To be able to communicate this history to current residents, visitors and future generations was also a goal of the development.  

The first five years the Museum and the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce, shared space in the same building.  Three years ago the museum was moved to its current location which one housed the sheriff's office and the city jail.  Remodeling has been completed to make the area more appealing and to allow room to display exhibits.  The old jail is on display at the museum along with a military exhibit, a business machines exhibit, a kitchen display, a school display, as well as old photos of the McNary Dam during construction, and a gift shop.  

The museum also recruits traveling exhibits that circulate around the country to stop in Umatilla for the enjoyment of the museum visitors.  One such event took place recently in March 2001.  The program was on Native Americans and Lewis & Clark.  The program was presented by Pat Courtney Gold and was called "Columbia River Indigenous People 'Discover' Lewis & Clark".  It outlined the cultural collision that occurred between the Columbia River Nations and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  This program was of great interest to local historians as Lewis & Clark traveled through Umatilla on their way to the Pacific Ocean.  

On April 26, 2001 the Umatilla Museum and Historical Foundation hosted it's first annual "Lewis and Clark Day" event.  Included in the educational program was video presentations, storytelling, and a presentation by Don Eppenbach, a local expert on the Lewis & Clark historical events for this area.  

Museum Photo Album

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