Cascade Locks Historical Museum to exhibit “Riveting History: 100 Years of the Bridge of the Gods” at Oregon State Capitol

The Cascade Locks Historical Museum will bring "Riveting History: 100 Years of the Bridge of the Gods" to the Oregon State Capitol in Salem. It will be on display September 3 through October 1, 2026 as part of the Capitol History Gateway exhibit program.

The exhibit marks a milestone for one of the Columbia River Gorge's most recognizable landmarks: the Bridge of the Gods. The bridge will have officially spanned the river between Cascade Locks, Oregon, and Stevenson, Washington, for 100 years as of October 26, 2026. The exhibit traces the bridge's story: from the legend behind its name, the entrepreneurs who backed its construction, the crews who built it, and the century of traffic it has carried since.

“The bridge is an icon: an astounding engineering feat with an interwoven history of commerce, legend, and community," said Janice Crane, Executive Director of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum. "At a century old, the Bridge of the Gods remains a vital artery for regional trade and travel and a memorable part of our destination for visitors from around the world."

The exhibit’s placement at the State Capitol extends its reach well beyond the Gorge, introducing visitors, students, and lawmakers from across Oregon to a structure that has connected the state's communities for a century. The installation is supported in part by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation.


Visitors to the Capitol can view "Riveting History: 100 Years of the Bridge of the Gods" free of charge during regular building hours from September 3 through October 1, 2026. A copy of the exhibit is also currently on display at the Cascade Locks Historical Museum during regular business hours, and an online version is available at www.cascadelocksmuseum.org/riveting-history.


The Capitol History Gateway program brings Oregon's history to life at the Oregon State Capitol through events and exhibits highlighting the people, places, and communities that make up the state. The program, including the “Riveting History” exhibit, is funded by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation.


The Cascade Locks Historical Museum is a community history museum celebrating the people of Cascade Locks, Oregon. The museum is located in a 1905 lock tender house in the Cascade Locks Marine Park National Historic Site. The museum is open seasonally from March through October.

NEW Reciprocal Membership Benefits for 2026!

🌟NEW for 2026, in addition to our typical membership benefits, Cascade Locks Historical Museum membership now includes free admission for the member + 3 guests to these 29 local attractions!

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2024 Membership Drive

It’s back! Our Annual Membership Drive will take place from July 1-July 7, 2024. Join or renew online now!

Family-level members get special perks during our membership drive! Join or renew today and receive:

  • Unlimited admission to the Cascade Locks Historical Museum for two adults and four youth

  • Free and discounted admission to museum events, including the 2024 Pony Party July 6.

  • Reciprocal admission to over 500 museums nationwide with Time Travelers.

  • 2 tickets to ride Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge, courtesy of our friends at JettyLight.*

Don’t wait! This offer ends July 7, 2024.

*Sternwheeler tickets are a limited time offer, only included with Family memberships purchased between July 1 and July 7, 2024. Tickets are courtesy of JettyLight LLC, and must be used by December 31, 2025.

2024 Pony Party!

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The cutest party on the Columbia is back for its third year! Join the Cascade Locks Historical Museum and celebrate trains and community at this year's PONY PARTY on Saturday, July 6 from 10am-3pm.  🚂

Come learn about trains, make train crafts, play games, bounce bounce bounce in the bouncy house, check out the museum, sing along with John Stipan, then bounce some more!  

Admission is $5 for ages 6 and up, and FREE for museum members. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the gate. Entry to the event includes the bounce house, live music, games, crafts, photo ops, and museum admission. Concessions, souvenirs, and prize drawing tickets will be available for purchase. 

Become a member today and get free entry to this event! 

"Retro"-fitting the Visitor Center

Great news! We received grants from Visit Hood River and Visit Cascade Locks to "Retro"-fit the visitor center! While our front office is getting a face lift, the rest of the museum is OPEN during remodel. Brochures and Multnomah Falls passes are still available, but gift shop access is limited at this time.

Thanks for your patients while we power through the messy part of this process. We plan to have the walls fully refreshed by June 28, with new exhibits and amenities coming later this summer!

2023 Magical History Masquerade

Join the Friends of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum aboard the sternwheeler for our 8th year of Magical History Tour dinner cruises! This blast from the past comes with an enchanting new theme- the Magical History MASQUERADE. Support the spookiest museum in the Gorge at this spirited soiree on October 14, from 6pm-9pm.

Tickets include the twilight cruise, an Italian-style dinner, dancing, live music, a silent auction, raffle, and costume contest. Cash bar. Masquerade costume strongly encouraged, nice-casual attire requested for non-costumed guests. Vegan and gluten-free dinner options will be available on the buffet.

The Cascade Locks Historical Museum is always open for free admission the day of Magical History Tour. Come early and see the museum at no additional charge.

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As The Crow Flies

Cascade Locks Historical Museum, the Columbia Gorge Museum, The Dalles Art Center, the Goldendale Library, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum, and Maryhill Museum of Art present “As the Crow Flies,” a month of public programs to celebrate the history, culture and seasonal beauty of October in Columbia River Gorge area.

Calendar of Events:

  • Sunday, October 1st - Thursday, October 26th:  Create a Murder of Crows!  With admission, each guest will receive a feather to create the Murder of Crows community art project (with information posted about the Gorge-wide event). The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum.

  • Thursday, October 5th, 5 - 7 pm: As the Crow Flies Art Exhibit Opening Night Party, Opening Night with the artists and complimentary snacks and beverages. FREE. About the exhibit: artists created real and imaged landscapes a crow might see flying across Washington or Oregon state. This is a landscape show that includes abstract and/or interpretations of landscape along with traditional landscape composition. The Dalles Art Center.

  • Saturday, October 7th, Noon-4pm: The Ghosts of Maryhill Museum - Come and get creative! Join us in the M.J. Murdoch Charitable Trust Education Center for an engaging, hands-on art experience for all ages. We’ll be using mannequins and white tissue paper with mixed media to craft life-size ghosts of some of the characters involved in the founding of Maryhill Museum and its collection. Queen Marie of Romania, or modern dance pioneer Loie Fuller or perhaps a sculpture from our Rodin collection! Add a small detail or get more involved. Whatever your contribution, it will add to the spirit of the piece!! Free with admission. The Maryhill Museum of Art.

  • Saturday, October 14th, 6pm-9pm: Magical History Masquerade. Join us aboard sternwheeler Columbia Gorge for our annual dinner cruise auction with a haunting new theme. Tickets on sale September 1. Cascade Locks Historical Museum.

  • Thursday, October 19th, 7 pm: As Far as the Crow Flies Art Exhibit Artist Talk: Join Sally Johnson in a conversation with artists from As the Crow Flies. Tickets are $5 and benefit The Dalles Art Center. Complimentary snacks and beverages.  About the exhibit: artists created real and imaged landscapes a crow might see flying across Washington or Oregon state. This is a landscape show that includes abstract and/or interpretations of landscape along with traditional landscape composition. The Dalles Art Center.

  • Saturday, October 21st, 1:00 - 4:30: The Ghosts of Skamania County. Whiskey Flats will play as YOU conjure up a ghostly scarecrow! Using plastic wrap and packing tape, you can make ghosts using your own body or one of the mannequins we’ll provide. Hang your ghost at your home, at the museum, or on the streets to show your Halloween spirit. Use provided props to turn your ghost into a “former” member of the history of our county! Fun for everyone. Free with a donation. The Columbia Gorge Museum.

  • Thursday, October 26th, 6pm – 8:30pm: Paint a Crow!  Paint night with Denae Manion. Guests will experience a night at the museum painting a crow and special lights out tour of museum; cost is $45, food & drink available for purchase. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum.

  • Thursday, October 26th – Thursday, November 30th: Murder of Crows community art project on display at The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum.

  • Friday, October 27th, 2:30 – 4:00 pm: Crafternoon! Ravens & Crows & Bats ! Oh MY !! Please join us at the library for an all-ages craft event! Enjoy this Origami and Craft Program at The Goldendale Library.

  • Friday, October 27th, 5 - 6 pm Nevermore, A Reading of The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, A secret-surprise guest will read the Edgar Allan Poe Poem, The Raven. Complimentary snacks and beverages. Make your own Raven window art activity. FREE. The Dalles Art Center.

  • Saturday, October 28th:  Annual Bugs & Birds Day with OSU extension scientists and Billy the entomologist, with special museum scavenger hunts; admission free for those in costume. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum.

  • Tuesday, October 31st

    • 9 AM - 6 PM: Trick-or-Treat at the Library! Costumes encouraged. The Goldendale Library.

    • 10am - 5pm: Trick-or-Treat at the Museum! Celebrate the last day of museum season with candy and free admission for costumed visitors of all ages. Cascade Locks Historical Museum.

Time Travelers Reciprocal Membership Benefits

Cascade Locks Historical Museum is now a Time Travelers reciprocal museum! This national program allows our members to receive certain member benefits at over 500 museums nationwide. Visit the Time Travelers website for a full list of participating institutions and benefits.

2023 PONY PARTY!

Join us at the Cascade Locks Historical Museum on July 22, 2023 from 10am-3pm for our second annual PONY PARTY! This event is a celebration of the history of transportation in the Columbia River Gorge, featuring the Oregon Pony, the first locomotive built entirely on the West Coast.

Admission is $5 for ages 6 and up, and free for Cascade Locks residents and museum members. Tickets are available in advance and at the gate. Members and locals can request a discount code to reserve their free tickets in advance.

Entry to the event includes a bounce house, live music, games, crafts, photo ops, and museum admission. Concessions, souvenirs, and prize drawing tickets will be available for purchase.

Live music this year will be a jam session. Bring your instrument and play along with your host, museum secretary John Stipan.

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Event Sponsors!

Thanks to Buddy’s Arcade for sponsoring the Pony Party!
Sponsor the event to have your logo or business name appear here. Sponsorships are available now!

Sponsorship Levels

$500- Locomotive Sponsor

  • Prominent branding included in all event communications

  • Your company logo in a prominent location at the event

  • Your logo linked on the partners page of our website for one year

  • 10 complimentary tickets to the event

$250- Boxcar Sponsor

  • Branding included in all event communications

  • Your company logo in a prominent location at the event

  • Your logo linked on the partners page of our website for one year

  • 4 complimentary tickets to the event

$100- Caboose Sponsor

  • Your company name included in all event communications

  • Your company name in a prominent location at the event

  • Your logo linked on the partners page of our website for one year

  • 2 complimentary tickets to the event