By Cecil Hicks
Pioneer Village houses original log buildings.
A walk through the Chelan County Museum and Pioneer Village at Cashmere, Washington, is like stepping back in history to the late 1800s, especially when strolling through the log cabin village.
The self-guided pioneer village is made up of 20 actual log homes and buildings of early settlers of Cashmere, which are furnished with antique furniture and accessories. While most structures were trucked to the site from around the area in one piece and renovated, some had to be taken apart and reassembled like giant Lincoln logs. |
A blacksmith shop, school, hotel, mission, saddle shop, saloon, general store, and assay office are all part of this pioneer village, as well as old railroad buildings and cars, homes, doctor and dentist offices, and a gold mine entrance with mining equipment displayed. Visitors are also fascinated with a working waterwheel on the banks of the neighboring Wenatchee River.
Before starting out on a self-guided tour of the museum and pioneer village, be sure to pick up a pamphlet at the front desk that describes what the museum has to offer, and provides the historical background of the log buildings.
More than 50 volunteer workers greet approximately 10,000 annual visitors and answer their questions at the Historical Museum. The 13,000-square-foot museum displays some of the finest examples of pioneer and American Indian artifacts and an extensive archaeological collection from the mid-Columbia River that dates to 9000 years ago. The museum also houses a natural history section, mineral displays, and railroad memorabilia.
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 The museum’s main lobby features a gift shop with a collection of local history books and local arts and crafts. There’s also ample parking and a grassy picnic area in front of the museum.
Cashmere (population 3000) is located midway up the Wenatchee Valley, 12 miles from the city of Wenatchee (population 30,000). The town, built on the east slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range, sits alongside the Wenatchee River and is surrounded by mountains and fruit orchards. Cashmere is perhaps best known for its downtown Aplets & Cotlets fruit-candy factory.
To drive to the Chelan County Museum and Pioneer Village, turn left off Hwy 2 at the first Cashmere exit coming from Wenatchee. It’s only a couple blocks on Cotlets Way.
The museum is open most of the year. Hours are March 1 through October 31, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and November 1 through December 21, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tour groups are welcome all year. (509-782-3230)
Northwest Travel Magazine March/April 2007 |
