A Guide to Museums of Northeastern Washington
9,000 Years of Human History

Northeastern Washington offers history buffs no end of opportunities, whether you're interested in Native history or the fur trade, settlement or ranching, logging or the gold rush. And now The Heritage Network makes it easier than ever to locate just the information you're looking for. The Network ties together all the historical museum and groups in the region. For more information, check the Web at www.TheHeritageNetwork.org. To get you started on your journey into our rich heritage, here are a few highlights. Each one offers its own story of the fascinating history of the region.

Ferry County

Ansorge Hotel Museum: The town of Curlew is host to the Ansorge Hotel, now restored as a museum. The Ansorge, built in 1903, provides a glimpse into the area's Gold Rush past with its Old West architecture, original furnishings, and rustic atmosphere. Tours are available from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. Please call for an appointment. The Ansorge is located on Ferry Street in Curlew, which is 20 miles north of Republic on Highway 21. For more information, call 509-779-4955 or 509-779-4840.

Antique Car and Truck Museum: On Highway 21 between Curlew and Republic is a treasure sure to please the car buffs in the crowd. On display are a number of unique antique cars and trucks, farm machinery and more. The museum is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, though donations are accepted. For information, call 509-779-4961.

Ferry County Fair Carousel: Each year in September, the centerpiece of the Ferry County Fair in Republic is the carousel, a fully restored and operating 24-horse delight. Originally built in the late nineteenth century, this is one of two carousels still in operation in Eastern Washington. For more information, see http://ferrycounty.com/carousel/index.html.

Highway 20 Scenic Drive: The highway between Kettle Falls and Republic is one of the most scenic drives in the region, starting at the San Poil River on the west side of the pass, then climbing to Sherman Peak at over 5,000 feet, before descending to the Columbia River on the east side of the pass. Along the way are several stops with interpretive signs and trails including information on the White Mountain Fire of 1988, the Log Flume Interpretive Trail, which describes the logging operations of the early days, and the Growden Heritage Site, which was a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp 12 miles east of pass. For more info, check the Web at www.experiencewashington.com/byways/Byway.aspx?bwid=18.

Republic Historical Center: Located next to the Stonerose Museum on North Kean Street, just off Highway 20, the Center features a fine collection of historical photos, documents and artifacts, and the Kaufman Cabin, the oldest building in Republic. For information, see Stonerose.

Stonerose Interpretive Center and The Boot Hill Fossil Site: Republic is home to a world-famous fossil bed which has produced a number of scientifically important fossils that date back 50 million years. These include the beautiful stonerose flower, ancestor to today's roses. The Stonerose Interpretive Center offers displays of some of the finest fossils to come out of the site, as well as lots of information about where they come from and why they are important. Plus, you can buy an inexpensive permit to dig at the bed so you can find your own fossils, which makes for a fun day all around. Hours are from 10 to 5 Wednesday through Sunday from May 4 to 29, daily from 10 to 5 from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and 10 to 5 Wednesday through Sunday from Labor Day till October 30. For information, call (509) 775-2295, email srfossil@televar.com, or check the Web at www.stonerosefossil.org. The Center is located at 15 N. Kean, just off Highway 21 in Republic.

Stevens County

Keller Heritage Center Museum and Park: A project of the Stevens County Historical Society, the Keller Heritage Center features the Keller House, a restored Victorian beauty, the museum itself with extensive displays, gift shop and research center, and the grounds, which feature a restored lookout tower from Graves Mountain, Colville's first schoolhouse, cabins, a blacksmith shop, mining and sawmill equipment, and much more. The Museum and Park are open daily May through September and by appointment throughout the remainder of the year. For information, call (509) 684-5968 or visit their website here.

Kettle Falls Historical Center: Located on the bluff overlooking the site of the historic Kettle Falls, where First Nations people have fished for salmon for at least 9,000 years, and the site of the original Fort Colvile, built in 1825, the Center is an excellent source of information about Native American history and settlement in the region. Walk the trail to St. Paul's Mission, the restored church that Father DeSmet built in the 1840s. The Center is open May through September from 11 to 5 Wednesday through Friday. For information, call (509) 738-6964 or visit http://kfhc.homestead.com/kfhc.html.

Meyers Falls

Chewelah Museum: Located at 501 N 3rd St E, the Chewelah Museum features historical artifacts, photos, newspapers, genealogical information and more. It's open from May 1 to September 30 daily from noon to 5 or by appointment. For information, call (509) 935-6091 or see www.chewelahmuseum.org.

Hunters Museum: The town of Hunters hosts a charming museum that is a testament to rural life in the region. It features a collection of donated artifacts, numerous newspaper clippings and historical photographs, and resources for the historian and genealogist. It's located at 5019 Hwy 25 S. Hunters. For information, call 509-722-4440 or visit their website here. The Museum is open from May 1 to September 30 Wednesday through Saturday from 10 to 5 and Sunday from 12:30 to 5. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Loon Lake Museum: The Loon Lake Historical Society has taken over the Old Schoolhouse in Loon Lake as its headquarters and maintains a small museum, gift shop and research center on the premises. They are open Saturdays from 11 to 1. Admission is free. For information, call (509) 233-2222. Visit their website here.

Mistequa Auto Museum: Car buffs will be most pleased to find this gem. Located next to the Chewelah Casino 2.5 miles south of Chewelah on Highway 395, the Mistequa features a large collection of unique cars, trucks and other wheeled wonders, including a 1900 Stanley Steamer. For information, call (509) 935-8034 or see www.chewelahcasino.com/carmuseum.htm.

Northport Museum: The original town hall and jail is now home to the Northport Museum, with the usual historical displays and resources and Rutherford P. Relic, the town's permanent jailbird. The museum is located at 311 Columbia Ave. Information is available by calling (509) 732-1373 or 732-1007.

Fort Spokane: The U.S. Army built Fort Spokane at the confluence of the Spokane River and the mighty Columbia. Later converted to an Indian school, then a hospital, the fort is now a museum that provides unique insight into the history of Northeastern Washington. Fort Spokane is located along Hwy 25 between Kettle Falls and Davenport. The grounds are open year 'round. The buildings and visitor center is open in the summer. For information, call (509) 725-2715 ext. 43 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/laro.

Pend Oreille County

The Cutter Theatre: Metaline Falls is home to a regional treasure, a large school designed by famed architect Kirtland Cutter. Now restored, the building houses a historical museum, art gallery and well-known theater, which sponsors concerts, lectures and plays, attracting audiences from throughout the region. The Cutter is located at 302 Park Ave., Metaline Falls. For information, call (509) 446-4108, or visit www.cuttertheatre.com.

Pend Oreille County Historical Museum: The town's original train depot has been pressed into service as a historical museum, which houses displays and a gift shop. In addition, the complex includes a second building with displays and research facilities. Plus, log cabins, a schoolhouse, a fire tower and numerous other displays dot the grounds, including a Burlington Northern metal caboose. They open from mid-May through September from 10 to 4 Sunday through Friday and 9 to 4 on Saturday. The Museum is located at 402 S. Washington Ave., Newport. For information, call (509)447-5388 or visit www.pocmuseum.org.

Tiger Post Office and General Store: The Tiger Historical Society has renovated the old Tiger store at the intersection of Highways 20 and 31 as a museum and visitor center complete with old-fashioned post office and a gift shop. For information, call (409) 442-0288.

Neighboring Points of Interest

Grand Coulee Dam and Visitors Center: The mammoth Grand Coulee Dam is a huge concrete structure that provides electricity, flood control and irrigation to Northeastern Washington, and 150 miles of recreation on Lake Roosevelt besides. Located on an overlook above the dam, the Visitors Center tells the story of the building of the dam in the 1930s. Don't miss the laser light show while you're there. The dam is located near the junction of Highways 155 and 174 in the town of Grand Coulee. For info, call (509) 633-9265 or check the web at www.usbr.gov/pn/grandcoulee/.

Colville Tribal Museum offers a number of displays that highlight the history and culture of the Native people of Northeastern Washington. The gift shop sells a variety of locally made Native crafts and music, plus books and movies. The Tribal Museum is located at 512 Mead Way in Coulee Dam. For info, mail to PO Box 512, Coulee Dam, WA 99116, or call 633-0751.

Rossland Museum and Gold Mine Tour: Just north of the border in Rossland, B.C., is a museum that delights students of the Gold Rush, for it includes a tour of the historic Le Roi mine, which produced its fair share of the riches that built the Inland Northwest. In addition, the museum offers a wealth of displays, historic photos and other resources. For information, call (888) 448-7444 or visit www.rosslandmuseum.ca/.

PHOTOS: The Keller House in Colville, courtesy of Jeff Tetrick. A stonerose fossil, courtesy of the Stonerose Interpretive Center.

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