Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center — Attraction in Oregon

This new museum and cultural center showcases the arts, lives and culture of what is currently known as the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde. It features exhibits, tours and education about the cultures of 26 separate tribes in Oregon, northern California, and Nevada.

The exhibit currently houses artifacts from the tribes that now belong to the British Museum. When these exhibits return to the UK in May, 2019, the plan is for new displays to replace the one currently showing. While the building isn't cram-packed with artifacts, what it does have is of high quality and interest. As you take the tour (ours was self-guided), you travel through different rooms showcasing different themes. Each room has many large, interesting, and informative facts about the time and theme, as well as the actual labeled artifacts from clothing, tools, and interesting settings to beautiful woven basketry collected by an Indian agent who worked as a doctor and dentist on the reservation. In lieu of cash payments for his medical and dental services, he was often paid with the artistic baskets and other items handmade by the people he treated.

The museum costs nothing to tour, but donations are gratefully accepted and appreciated. Tours and talks/information are cheerfully shared with visitors by friendly and informed members of the tribe. It is located in the small town of Grande Ronde along Hwy.18 en route to the central Oregon coast. It is well worth your while to take a small detour off of the highway to spend an hour or so taking in a visit to this new and interesting museum. If you're interested in this kind of fun and educational kind of activity, I promise you won't be...

Went to an art show tonight, "Transgessors," and it was absolutely lovely! The art was amazing, the stories educational and highlighting many people we would consider amongst the trans community today. It was incredibly well attended, and hosted by lovely people. I recommend coming - for the art show itself, and just in general! I'm definitely missing out on writing down everything I loved, so go visit and find out...

I got lucky and hopped on a tour that was just starting. I learned SO MUCH in a very short amount of time, the guide was wonderful and took lots of time to answer questions and chat. No charge for entry! The current exhibit, Transgressors, was very moving. I ran out of time to look at everything and will definitely be back. The people at the desk were incredibly personable and the atmosphere overall...