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Free Traveling Guides » States » Oregon » Greater Oregon
High Desert Museum
The High Desert Museum is situated 3.5 miles (5.6 km) south of Bend, Oregon. It was founded in 1982 by Donald M. Kerr, a native of Portland, Oregon. Its main objective is to make the public aware of the culture, art, wildlife, and natural resources of Oregon’s high desert topography. The main building of the museum has an area of about 53,000 square feet (4924 sq. m.).
The museum is known for its outdoor and indoor exhibits that depict Pioneer, Native American, and animal life on a large scale. The outdoor exhibits include extensive wildlife areas and natural trails. “Wind, Earth, and Fire” interpretive fire trail is a quarter-mile trail that leads to 32,000 square-feet (2973 sq. m.) of animal habitats and various exhibits. A major outdoor attraction here is the Autzen Otter Exhibit where one can find porcupines as well as several North American river otters in the stream. Other nationally acclaimed exhibits feature the birds of prey, sheep, grey fox, and mustangs. The Pioneer homestead and a 100-year-old working Lazinka Saw Mill are other major outdoor highlights.
The Native American exhibits describe the life on the land before the white man arrived here, present day hot topic of Indian Casinos, and life on a reservation. The museum also has a unique exhibit of the Native American horse tack that was used for the Pendleton Round-Up. This horse tack has no comparison in its beauty, craftsmanship, and uniqueness of design. The museum also houses several permanent exhibits like the “Raptors of the Desert Sky” exhibit of the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center, the Henry J. Casey Hall of Plateau Indians, and the Earle A. Chiles Center on the Spirit of the West.
This non-profit museum, funded only by members, visitors, and donors, has made a significant contribution to the Northwest’s cultural and educational vivacity through its interesting presentations, changing and permanent exhibits, interactive and educational programs for students in grades K–12, and excursions to culturally, historically, and geologically important locations in the High Desert region.
The Museum has helped a lot in promoting thoughtful decision making to preserve the region’s cultural and natural heritage. It takes a minimum of two days to visit all the sites here and enjoy the rich, detailed exhibits. If you are genuinely adventurous at heart, the High Desert Museum is the right place for you.
- Address: 59800 South Hwy 97, Bend, OR 97702
- Telephone: (541) 382-4754
- Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM daily; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
- Website: http://www.highdesertmuseum.org/
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