Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum

As a VENUE: Host your event…

Hold a truly unique event at Columbia Gorge Discover Center and Museum. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum’s iconic architecture provides an exceptional backdrop for that once-in-a-life-time * Wedding * Private Reception * Corporate Dinner * Holiday Party, or * Ultimate Fund-Raising Event. With raw timber columns, basalt rock walls, and an impressive 30 ft. wall of windows, the River Gallery is the perfect place for making memories that will last a lifetime. The Basalt Rock Café & Catering offers unrivaled on-site catering to fit your budget, and a seasoned event staff provides an unparalleled experience for you and your guests. We are conveniently located only minutes off I-84, right on the banks of the Columbia River. Our 48,000 square foot, award winning facility situated on 54 acres offers ample backdrops for a photographer to capture the essence of your special event. We welcome your questions and are happy to provide advice and consultation for hosting your next event. We will help you plan the perfect event to fit your goals and your budget. All revenue from facility use supports ongoing programming, exhibits, and helps the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum inspire appreciation of our culturally rich region. Five distinctive spaces are available:

• River Gallery: Talk about a breathtaking space! The Meyer Memorial River Gallery creates a memory from the moment you step inside. The raw timber columns and basalt rock walls perfectly frame the 30 foot wall of windows, while views of the rolling Klickitat Hills and the Columbia River complete the space. The River Gallery is a perfect blend of rustic charm and stunning elegance.
  • Capacity: Seated Dinner (6′ rounds) – 250 guests; Standing Reception – 400 guests
  • 4,640 square feet
• Boardroom: The Boardroom offers a view of the courtyard, adjacent restrooms, and easy access to the paved walking trail.
  • Capacity: Boardroom Style – 25 guests; Classroom Style – 30 guests; “U” Shape – 20 guests; Audience Only – 30 guests; Luncheon (6′ rounds) – 50 guests
  • 572 square feet
• Classroom: The Classroom offers a view of the pond with two sets of double doors that lead right to our paved walking trail. This versatile, light-filled space is perfect for presentations, meetings, training, bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, or retirement parties!
  • Capacity: Boardroom Style – 40 guests; Classroom Style – 45 guests; “U” Shape – 35 guests; Audience Only – 50 guests; Luncheon (6′ rounds) – 75 guests; Cabaret Style (6′ rounds) – 42 guests
  • 880 square feet
• Basalt Rock Café: The Basalt Rock Café’s wall of windows, lofty ceilings, and open air patio make it the perfect space for hosting your next event.  Available for private rental after 3:00 pm daily, this space can be easily configured whether you are planning an intimate luncheon or dinner for 100.   Our experienced event and catering staff will take care of all the details, from menu planning through dessert.
  • 1,610 square feet
• M.J. Murdock Theater: The 140-seat theater is conveniently located adjacent to the Basalt Rock Café. This diverse space is able to accommodate anything from a film premiere to a training summit, yet intimate enough to gather your family for a slideshow. The elevated stage allows the speaker or performer to be easily visible. Equipped with a projection room ready to accommodate all of your A/V needs, the M.J. Murdock Theater is the only one in the entire Columbia Gorge available for both public and private use.
  • 1,716 square feet

Support the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum …by simply booking your next special occasion here:
https://www.gorgediscovery.org/gather/

As a SHOP: Discover unique gifts…

Conveniently located near the entrance of the museum, the Columbia River Trading Co. offers a vast array of local products related to our mission. The Museum Store features unique * Pottery * Jewelry * Books * Toys, and * Games, hand-picked to extend your experience. Discover the unique work from over 40 local area artisans and crafters, including local * Food * Wines * Pine Needle Baskets *  Pendleton Woolen Mills Baskets and Purses * Pottery * Home Decor * Jewelry, and * Art. Ponder a selection in the expansive * Book and * DVD Collections while the kids browse through the fun selection of * Educational Toys and * Games, including the award-winning Melissa and Doug toy line. With several regional wineries represented, you are sure to find an award-winning bottle. * Maryhill Winery * Quenett Wine Cellars * Pheasant Valley Winery * Sunshine Mill’s Copa Di Vino * Carelton Cyderworks, and * More will give you a taste of some of the best Columbia Gorge wines available.

Support the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum …by simply purchasing your specialty merchandise here:
https://www.gorgediscovery.org/discover/visit-columbia-gorge-discovery-center/columbia-river-trading-company/

As an EATERY: Food for thought…

The Basalt Rock Café provides home style food and quality catering for weddings, meetings, and other special events.

Support the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum …by simply dining here:
https://www.gorgediscovery.org/discover/visit-columbia-gorge-discovery-center/basalt-rock-cafe/

Be a DONOR: Show that you care…

Membership:

As the official interpretive center for the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, the mission of the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of the Columbia River Gorge and Wasco County through collection, preservation, and interpretation of cultural and natural history resources. Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Many people are surprised to learn the Discovery Center is not funded by tax dollars; we are funded by memberships, admissions, events, facility rentals, and donations. Memberships are an integral part of financially supporting the museum and our mission. We encourage you to enjoy the benefits of becoming a member, or consider gifting a membership to a loved one. Membership at specified levels is offered: * College Student/Teacher/Senior (62+) * Individuals * Family * Discovery * Friend * Business Patron * Business Sponsor, and * Business Benefactor.

Donations:

Many people are surprised to learn we are an independent organization and receive no funding from state or federal tax dollars. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum is funded by admissions, store sales, memberships, donations, facility rentals, and events. Each and every contribution helps us to carry out our mission to inspire appreciation and stewardship of the Columbia River Gorge and Wasco County through collection, preservation, and interpretation of cultural and natural history resources. Contributions support * Educational Programming * Exhibits * Heritage Collections Care and Management * Raptor Education, and * Much More. Donations may be restricted to specific areas, or support general operations. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, donations are fully tax deductible within the limits of state and federal law. Your financial gift is deeply appreciated.

• Individual Giving: Your tax-deductible gift to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum provides necessary operating support beyond the cost of membership. Unrestricted contributions to the Annual Fund provide support for preserving the cultural and natural heritage, maintenance of the museum’s collections and facilities, make special exhibitions and education programs possible, and provide for general operating costs. As a donor to the Annual Fund, you can take pride in contributing essential revenue for the daily operations of the museum. Thank you for making a gift to your community today.
• Matching Gifts: As a bonus for those who pay taxes in Oregon, the Oregon Cultural Trust matching program provides a great incentive to donate. Just give an equal amount to the Cultural Trust and to our organization, and take the matching amount off the bottom line of your state taxes.
• Corporate Support: By supporting the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, your organization helps provide the community with a cultural resource for appreciating the natural history around us. Unrestricted gifts from corporations and foundations help sustain the museum’s daily operations, education programs and partnerships, and allow the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum to remain a strong and viable community partner. We thank you for your generous support!
• Leave A Legacy: Columbia Gorge Discovery Center has partnered with Oregon Community Foundation and U.S. Bank to manage two perpetual endowment accounts. These long-term investment programs are designed to provide stable operating income to support the mission and vision of the joint organization. Endowment disbursements are used for operation and maintenance to ensure the continued legacy of inspired educational programming, state of the art exhibitry, and professional curation of heritage resources. Oregon Community Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization that administers permanent charitable funds established through gifts from individuals, families, businesses and other organizations. U.S. Bank Trust Department provides professional trust managers to maintain comprehensive asset allocation strategies for the long-term financial health of our organization as the sole beneficiary of the Kuck Trust. Donations may be made in the form of: securities, personal property, real property, bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and gift annuities.
• Adopt-A-Raptor: The Discovery Center’s Raptor Project receives funds solely from donations, program fees, and grant support, all of which go directly to the care and maintenance of the raptors. Through our Adoption Program your support will help in the following ways:
  • Care and housing for our raptors
  • Food and medical expenses
  • Continual training and enrichment of the raptors
  • Training and supplies for volunteers
  • Raptor equipment
  • Educational programming
  • Development of Outreach Programs to reach an even broader audience

Volunteer: Visitors from around the world come to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum to experience natural and cultural history in an interactive way. From exhibit interpreters to backstage administrative help, the Center’s volunteers are invaluable in fulfilling our mission. Volunteering requires dedication and motivation as well as time and effort. Many people bring skills and expertise with them, however such knowledge is not required to join us as a volunteer. Come with a willingness to learn and a desire to work with people and help them understand and appreciate our region, past and present. Volunteers experience lifelong learning and establish lasting friendships at our facility, which is the official interpretive center of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Start volunteering today!

Support the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum… by simply contributing here:
https://www.gorgediscovery.org/contribute/