Culture: Two Rivers Heritage Museum Offers Group Tours

Washougal, WA — Wet and cold weather finds many of us indoors during the winter. The Camas-Washougal Historical Society is inviting groups searching for an interesting activity to step into history at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Washougal.

“Although we are currently closed to general admission for our annual winter maintenance and display work, we are happy to host groups of eight or more to enjoy our museum this time of year,” said Lois Cobb, CWHS Volunteer Coordinator.  A team of knowledgeable docents will help guide guests through the interesting displays which tell the stories of the history of Camas and Washougal.

Tours are available Monday through Saturday and need to be arranged by contacting Cobb at 360-835-5449.

Museum volunteers have been working hard during maintenance and COVID closures to refresh, update and expand existing displays and curate new historic information from the extensive artifact archives in storage. 

“Volunteers have taken a deeper look at our displays and created more detailed signage,” said Cobb.  “This adds to the enjoyment for guests as they understand more about the history and stories behind what they are seeing.”

A few of the interesting displays include Native American baskets and stone tools, mining relics, logging and dairy equipment, cobbler and carpenter tools, local doctor photos and their medical instruments, a pioneer kitchen with wood fire oven and ice box, military uniforms and toys that teach.

Another highlight is the new Gathering Place as Washuxwal, a long house inspired structure that was completed this fall.  The pavilion will be home to CWHS educational presentations and will help tell the stories of local Native Americans who were the first inhabitants of the area.  

Tour prices are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and just $2 for students.  The museum will be open for general admission on Saturdays from 11am-3pm from March through the end of October. For more information about the museum and volunteer and membership opportunities, visit www.2rhm.com and follow them on Facebook.

“We are proud of our museum and the stories we tell there,” said Cobb. “We want our community and visitors to the area to enjoy it and come away with a new appreciation of those who came before us. The Two Rivers Heritage Museum is where history lives for Camas and Washougal.”