The McAllister Museum of Aviation in Yakima is one of many museums you can find in South Central Washington. Explore our guide, then check them out for yourself.
The museums of South Central Washington
The museums of South Central Washington offer a panoply of exhibits and experiences for the history buff and the curious traveler.
The list below lists hours for most sites, which can be confirmed by calling the phone numbers given.
All phone numbers are preceded by the same area code: 509.
1. Thorp Mill
Thorp, 964-9640. Restored flour mill with the most complete display of turn-of-the-century milling equipment in the Northwest. Interpretive slide show.
Wed.-Sun., 1-4, Memorial Day weekend to Sept. 30.
2. Olmstead Place State Park Heritage Site
921 N. Ferguson Rd., Ellensburg, 925-1943. Explore the historical homestead buildings and surrounding farm lands. Take the Altapes Creek Trail walk and view display sheds of antique farm equipment.
Guided tours available Memorial Day through Labor Day, Sat. & Sun., 12-4 and by appointment all year.
3. Kittitas County Museum
114 E. Third, Ellensburg, 925-3778. Exhibits on the history of Kittitas County. Summer hours, May 1 to Aug. 31, Tues.-Sat., 10-4. Winter hours, Oct. 1 to April 30, Tues.-Sat., 11-3. Closed holidays.
4. Children’s Activity Museum
400 N. Main, Ellensburg, 925-6789. A hands-on museum where parents may interact with their children.
June-Aug., Mon.-Wed.-Sat., 10-4, Sun., 1-4. Sept.-May, Wed.-Fri, 10-3, Sat., 10-4, Sun., 1-4.
5. Clymer Museum of Art
416 N. Pearl, Ellensburg, 962-6416. Artwork by and an exhibition on the life of John Clymer.
Mon.-Fri., 10-5. Sat.-Sun., 12-5.
2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima, 248-0747. Two floors of exhibits on the natural and cultural history of South Central Washington. Large wagon collection. Also Children’s Underground and Gilbert Homeplace. Gift and book shop, research library, and an operating 1930s art deco soda fountain.
Mon.-Fri., 10-5. Sat.-Sun., 12-5.
At Nob Hill Blvd. and Interstate 82, Yakima, 248-7337. A unique “tree museum” with both native and exotic plants from around the world. Japanese garden, Jewett Interpretive Center, gift shop and library.
Tues.-Fri., 9-5. Sat., 9-4.
8. Central Washington Agricultural Museum
4508 Main Street in Fulbright Park, Union Gap, 457-8735. Extensive collection of farm machinery, operating windmill, apple-packing line, and blacksmith shop. Two log cabins, railroad exhibit, Magness hand tool collection, and 18 large display buildings.
April-Oct., Mon.-Sat., 9-5. Sun., 1-5. Nov.-March, Thurs.-Sat., 1-4.
9. Yakama Indian Nation Museum
Mile north of Toppenish at Cultural Center on Highway 97, 865-2800. An exhibition on the history of the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation as told by the Yakamas. Special exhibitions, gift shop, restaurant, theatre, library, RV park nearby.
Summer: 9-6; rest of year, 9-5. Closed certain holidays.
10. Northern Pacific Railway Museum.
South A. Street and Asotin Ave., Toppenish, 865-1911. Historic depot, restored. Museum, gift shop, restored telegraph office. Railroad memorabilia, steam locomotive restoration ongoing, caboose rides, special events.
May 6-Oct. 31, 10-4.
22 S. B Street, Toppenish, 865-4677. Displays, photos, implements, chronicling the hop industry in the Yakima Valley. Gift shop.
May 1-Sept. 30, 11-4. Group tours by appointment.
12. Fort Simcoe State Park Heritage Site
5150 Fort Simcoe Road, White Swan, 874-2372. Site of 1856 military fort, later Indian agency headquarters. Four officers’ quarters still remain. Interpretive center and picnic facilities.
April 1-Sept. 30, Wed.-Sun, 9-4. Oct. 1-March 31, open by appointment.
13. Sunnyside Museum
Fourth and Grant, 837-6010. Artifacts on the history of Sunnyside, housed in the original Ben Snipes cabin.
Sun., Tues., Thurs., 1:30-4:30.
14. Ray E. Powell Museum
313 Division, Grandview, 882-2070. Artifacts on the history of Grandview.
March-Oct., Tues., Sun., 2-4, Sat. 1:30-4:30.
15. Benton County Historical Museum
7th and Paterson at Prosser City Park, Prosser, 786-3842 or 786-2120. County history, more than 20,000 artifacts from around the world, Indian artifacts, furniture, gowns, glassware, and homestead shack. Narrated slide programs and diorama of early pioneer life.
Tues.-Sat., 10-4, Sun., 1-5.
16. Whoop-N-Holler Ranch Museum
East Road, Bickleton, 896-2344. Two large buildings filled with antique classic car collection, local historical memorabilia, family heirlooms, and one-room schoolhouse. Group reservations requested. Drop-ins welcome.
April 1-Sept. 30, 10-4.
17 Maryhill Museum of Art
35 Maryhill Museum Drive off Highway 14, Goldendale, 773-3733. Mansion overlooking Columbia River showcases Rodin sculpture, Native American gallery, rare and modern chess sets, Queen Marie of Roumania royal regalia, Russian icons, paintings, sculpture garden, gift shop, cafe, picnic grounds. Stonehenge reproduction nearby.
March 15-Nov. 15, 9-5.
18. Presby Mansion Museum
127 West Broadway, Goldendale, 773-4303. Housed in 1903 W.B. Presby mansion, coffee mill collection and homestead cabin in the Attic.
April 1-Oct. 31, 9-5.
19. Gorge Heritage Museum
202 E. Humboldt, Bingen, 493-3111. Objects related to West Klickitat County.
Third weekend in May through third weekend in Sept., Wed.-Sun., 12:30-4:30. Call for other times.