High Desert Museum Fact Sheet

Location:

The High Desert Museum is located in Bend, Oregon.

Founded:

The High Desert Museum was founded by Donald M. Kerr in Bend in 1982. His goal: to create a Museum unlike any other, which would “wildly excite, responsibly teach.” Kerr had first become fascinated with birds of prey at age 12, when a teacher brought a live falcon into his classroom.

Wildlife:

The Museum is home to more than 100 wild animals that live in natural, indoor and outdoor habitat exhibits. The animals cannot be released to the wild because of injuries or other disabilities. America’s only Northern spotted owls to have bred in captivity, Polka and Dot, are among the Museum’s raptors. Their chicks are helping efforts to save this controversial threatened species.

Living History:

A Living History program allows visitors to chat with live stagecoach drivers, a family of homesteaders, and others from the 1880s frontier throughout the Museum and at the outdoor, re-created 1880 High Desert Homestead Ranch.

Collections:

The Museum is home to more than 20,000 priceless artifacts, including the renowned Doris Swayze Bounds collection of Native American artifacts, from intricately beaded clothing to feathered headdresses.

Cultural Exhibits:

Two major, permanent exhibits are: the Spirit of the West, which tells the story of the region, from a Paiute encampment and buckaroo bunkhouse to a mine and an 1880s settlement town, Silver City. And By Hand Through Memory, which takes visitors on the journey of the Indian nations of the Columbia River Plateau, from reservation confinement to the 21st century.

Educational Programs:

Sensory-filled programming for lifelong learners of all ages ranges from storytelling to close-up presentations of wildlife, talks with animal keepers and special lectures and workshops with artists and natural sciences experts.

Visiting:

Located five minutes from Bend on South Highway 97.
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, May 1 – Oct. 31. Adults, $15; ages 65 plus, $12; ages 5-12, $9; age 4 and younger, free. November 1 – April 30: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Adults $10, seniors (65 plus) $9, ages 5-12, $6, age 4 and under, free.

High Desert Museum (541) 382-4754

www.highdesertmuseum.org