museums of the gorge

Cascade Locks Historical Museum to Celebrate 160th Anniversary of the Oregon Pony

Cascade Locks Historical Museum to Celebrate 160th Anniversary of the Oregon Pony

The Cascade Locks Historical Museum is hosting a celebration of the 160th anniversary of the Oregon Pony. The Oregon Pony was the first locomotive to run on the first railroad in the state of Oregon. The event will take place on July 16, 2022 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Cascade Locks Historical Museum, 417 SW Portage Road, in Cascade Locks. Admission is $5 per person ages 4 and up, or free for younger children and museum members. The event includes admission to the museum, and access to crafts, games, and activities.

We're hiring!

Join the team at Cascade Locks Historical Museum! We have our second-ever full-time opening available thanks to capacity building funding from Union Pacific Foundation and the City of Cascade Locks.

We’re hiring a full-time Museum and Visitor Center Manager. Head over to our Employment page for the full job description. Applications must be sent to director@cascadelocksmuseum.org by December 24, 2021 for consideration.

Big News! Silent auction is also ONLINE!

New! Join the auction fun online!

In an effort to include our supporters who are not yet comfortable attending in-person events, we are going to attempt a hybrid online AND in-person silent auction. Head over to our auction site to preview the auction catalog. 

The online auction will run from 5:00 PM on MONDAY (today!) until 11:45 PM on THURSDAY NIGHT. The auction then transitions to the live event at Magical History Tour on Friday, October 1, for continued bidding in-person. Some additional items will be added to the auction onboard the boat.

How it works:

  1. Bid online, just like you did for last year’s online auction.

  2. If you are not attending the event, but see something you REALLY want, use the “Buy It Now” button to guarantee you win.

  3. Bid sheets for the live event will be generated including your online bids. Bidding re-opens at the live event, and you may be out-bid.

  4. Attend the live event to continue bidding in-person!

  5. Win super-cool items and experiences from our generous donors while supporting the Friends of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum!

If no one out-bids you at the live event, you will be notified of your victory on Saturday, October 2. Items will be available for pickup at the museum from October 2-4, from 11am-4pm. No appointments will be necessary for pickup this year. USPS Flat Rate shipping is also available for most items.

Start Bidding

Get in on the fun!

There are still event tickets available! Come cruise with us aboard sternwheeler Columbia Gorge on Friday, October 1, for our 7th annual Magical History Tour. This event includes a light dinner, live music from the Too Loose Band with Steve Shroy, and, of course, the silent auction. Tickets are $75 for the general public, and $60 for museum members.

Join us Friday, October 1, 2021 from 6pm to 10 pm. Boarding begins at 5:30 PM.

Buy Tickets

COVID-19 Information: We will follow all current safety requirements for restaurants/dining at this event. Masks are required indoors while not seated at your table and on outdoor decks if it is not possible to maintain social distance. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the ship. Tickets are fully refundable if you develop any symptoms of COVID-19 and need to not attend the event.

Want to support the Friends of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum even more? Make a tax-deductible donation today.

Donate Now

We are grateful for the support of our presenting sponsor, Portland Spirit Cruises and Events.

Annual Membership Meeting 7/28/2021

Our annual membership meeting is back and in-person this year! Join us Wednesday, July 28, at 6:00 PM in the Marine Park Pavilion. Join us for museum updates, a history presentation, a peek at our newest exhibit, and snacks!

Join or renew your Family membership (or above!) at the event or online between July 24 and 31 and get tickets for a scenic cruise for two on Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge, courtesy of our friends at Portland Spirit Cruises and Events.

Museum Opening Saturday, March 20, 2021

We are pleased to announce that we will be able to open for the season on Saturday, March 20, 2021 as planned!

Spring Hours (Valid March 20, 2021 - April 30, 2021):

Monday: Open 11:00-4:00
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Open 11:00-4:00
Friday: Open 11:00-4:00
Saturday: Open 11:00-4:00
Sunday: Open 11:00-4:00

Now Hiring! Seasonal Visitor Services Representatives

Friends of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum are hiring! We have three openings for seasonal Visitor Services Representatives, with staggered start dates between March and May. To apply, please send an email of interest with either your resume or an employment application to director@cascadelocksmuseum.org.

Job Title: Visitor Services Representative

Position Type: Part-Time, Temporary, Non-Exempt

Wage: $13.50/hour

Reports To: Executive Director

Travel Required: None

Location: Cascade Locks Historical Museum, 417 SW Portage Rd, Cascade Locks, OR 97014

Schedule: 10:45 AM- 4:15 PM, 2-3 days per week. Weekend availability required.

Season: March 20, 2021- October 31, 2021. Museum is open daily May 1 through September 30, and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays in March, April, and October.

Description: Cascade Locks Historical Museum employs public-facing customer service staff to take admission, answer visitor questions, and perform light janitorial duties on museum exhibits.

Responsibilities:

Customer Service

  • Welcome visitors to the museum

  • Provide information to visitors, such as admission rates, restroom location, suggestions for things to do in the area.

  • Record COVID-19 contact tracing information from visitors

Cashiering

  • Process cash and credit card transactions using a tablet interfacing point of sale system

  • Accurately count change for cash transactions

 Light Janitorial Duties

  • Use disinfectants to follow COVID-19 sanitation procedures

  • Use glass cleaner to remove fingerprints from cases

  • Sweep as needed

  • Vacuum carpet as needed

Other duties

  • Other duties may be assigned for completion during down-time between visitor groups based on employee ability and interest.

Requirements:

  • A positive attitude, friendly demeanor, and willingness to learn

  • Working proficiency in English language

  • General knowledge of local area helpful but not required

  • General knowledge of local history helpful but not required

  • Must be 18 or older

Work Environment:

Cascade Locks Historical Museum is located in a 1905 historic house in Cascade Locks Marine Park. Due to the historic nature of the building, accessing the facility requires ascending and descending stairs.  The building has original windows and is frequently warm in the summer and cool in the winter.