(509) 773-4303
OUR STORY
History
Organized in 1958, the Klickitat County Historical Society’s primary purpose is to collect, preserve and present the history of Goldendale and Klickitat County. The museum was dedicated on August 18, 1962 with Supreme Court Justice Wm. O. Douglas delivering the keynote address. Two additional buildings have been built to display collections. The 24’x60’ “Annex” houses the actual Goldendale Sentinel print shop dating from 1878 and collections from early Goldendale businesses and the Goldendale Railway Station. In 2002 the Carriage/School House was built to present farm equipment and a reproduction of a one-room school house.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Pioneer Day is a FABULOUS experience for 1 st to 4 th Graders who are invited to step back in HISTORY. Three hours of stories, crafts and activities, a day that’s usually scheduled in July. Limited to thirty kids—space fills up fast! WATCH FOR SUMMER ANNOUNCEMENTS!
PAST PERFECT
PastPerfect is an exciting database added to KCHS's reference tools, one designed for small museums. It will eventually inventory every book, document, object and photo in the Presby Museum. To protect old photos, staff have chosen to catalog the pictures with descriptions and storage in KCHS's new Climate Controlled Space. Prints with detailed information will be available to researchers and can be printed by volunteers using PastPerfect.
PUBLICATIONS
These books and other materials maybe ordered via email.
Early Days in Klickitat Valley by Robert Ballou, 1932
Histories of the local Native Americans, pioneer families, county livestock, the development of the stage coach, the railroad, the Indian Wars, the building of the Military Road, the development of local governments, organizations, and schools. Also included are stories of gunfights, frontier and Indian legends. 498 pages, hardbound.