The Wallowa County Museum is located in the historic First Bank of Joseph building built in 1888. The Museum was created in 1976 as a bicentennial project by a group of dedicated volunteers. Many items in the collection originated with Wallowa County’s first historian, John Harley Horner. Mr. Horner was an early-day assessor who collected artifacts and information as he toured the county. The remainder of the collection was donated by current and former Wallowa County residents. The building was entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Mission: The museum seeks to preserve and present items of interest from Wallowa County’s human past,representing both the Nez Percé who lived here for so long, the pioneers and settlers who arrived over a century ago, and their descendants.
The Museum is located at 110 South Main Street (Highway 82) in Joseph, Oregon. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 430, Joseph, Oregon 97846. The Museum is owned and operated by Wallowa County.
Open: The Museum is open from the last weekend in May (Memorial Day weekend) through the third weekend of September. The Museum is closed during the winter months, but visits may be arranged in advance by contacting the curator or museum staff at the numbers listed below.
Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily.
Admission Fees: Adults — $4.00; Seniors (age 65+) — $3.00; Students (ages 7 – 17) — $2.00. Children age 6 and under — free.
Museum Gift Counter: Books of local historic interest, as well as cards and DVD’s by local photographers and artists, are for sale at the Museum, with the proceeds going toward operating costs.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Museum: Telephone: (541) 432-6095. Click to e-mail!
Volunteer Curator: Ann Hayes, 83064 Airport Lane, Joseph, Oregon 97846 Telephone: (541) 432-4834.
Museum Staff: Diane Turner, PO Box 457, Joseph, Oregon 97846. Telephone: (541) 432-0101. E-mail: dianetrnr1@gmail.com.
Museum Board: Darlene Turner (chairperson), Tim Funk, Gay Fregulia, Denny Kehl, Janie Tippett, Elane Dickenson, Francis Buckles and Scott McClaran. Supervising Commissioner: Susan Roberts.
Research and copying of photographs from our collection is done all year by request. Tourism information is also available.
Photos © fpb Images, P.O. Box 158, Joseph, OR 97846 e-mail: fpbimage@eoni.com