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Four Rivers
Cultural Center and Museum
Where Rivers Converge and Cultures Unite.
They come from the East, the West, the South and the North - four
rivers that converge in the Western Treasure Valley, where Oregon
borders Idaho.
For centuries, the Snake, the Malheur, the Owyhee and the Payette
have supported life here, attracting people from all points of the
compass. Four Rivers Cultural Center is named for these waterways.
The rivers, in turn, represent the constant flow of people of varied
ancestries - American Indian, Basque, European, Hispanic and
Japanese - people who have made this a diverse and vital region that
has opened its arm to many cultures and accepted their differences.
The stones featured in our logo come from each of the four rivers
that flow into Western Treasure Valley. Like the cultures that have
settled here, they are each distinctive, yet connected. |
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Four Rivers Cultural Center Museum gathers within its
walls, the wonders of more than a century of history. The museum
exhibits trace the settlement patterns of the Northern Paiutes,
Basque, Japanese/Americans, Hispanic, and Euro American
immigrants. The visitor's exhibit tour begins with an
educational film, designed to provide a historical context to
the exhibit gallery.
From the orientation theater, visitors enter a life scale
diorama of a Northern Paiute camp along the river. |
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The diorama leads to exhibits on the reservation period and
removal of the Paiute from the Malheur Reservation as the
cattlemen move into the region.
In 1883, the arrival of the Oregon Short Line Railroad brought
a new focus to the area, opening up new markets in agriculture
and improved accessibility for new settlers.
A history of the valley's irrigation walks you through the
early efforts to irrigate by water wheels, to private ditch
projects, federally funded irrigation dams, and finally a
stroll through a giant siphon tube.
Experience the evacuation and the war effort of the Japanese
Americans as the visitor walks through a barrack in the
internment camp. Encounter personal recollections of
individuals from the community to understand the period of
World War II and the Japanese American loyalty and dedication
to this country.
A second major exhibit gallery describes contemporary Cultures
and Communities. Five re-created building facades serve as the
backdrop for discussion of the issues faced by the modern
settlers in Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho. |
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In Spirit I Walk with Him:
The Horace Arment Collection is available for
viewing at the entry to the museum at no charge.
The collection consists of artifacts from the Sioux,
Navajo, Paiute, Haida and Ancients.
Among the collection you will see artifacts of Western
Weaving Traditions from the Yurok, Pomo, Eskimos,
Apache, Tottonio Odham and Yucca.
Ancient man hunted the mammoth across the rolling plains
of Eastern Oregon.
View the extensive collections of stone elements
including arrow points, atlatl points, knives, scrapers
and drills. Treasure from the Northwest included
examples from many tribes including Wishram, Makah,
Yakama, Quinault, Shushwap, Tlinket, and Klikitat.
The Pottery is from the Southwest Pueblo tribes
including the Zuni, Hopi, Anasazi and Mogollon. The
beads and buckskin examples are from the Umatilla,
Flathead, Wasco, Crow and Wishram tribes.
Meyer-McLean Performing Arts Center presents
entertainment to delight patrons of all ages. The 645
seat theater is laid out in an international seating
style.
From the Treasure Valley Community College drama and
musical productions to the Oregon Symphony, the theater
makes it possible for local audiences and visitors to
see and hear quality productions seldom available in
smaller communities.
Gift Shop
Four Rivers Cultural Center Museum Gift shop offers an
extensive selection of gift items for the discerning
shopper. We not only feature gifts of each culture
highlighted in the museum, but also have souvenirs of
the Four Rivers Cultural Center itself.
There is an extensive selection of children's books,
picture and history books on the West, Oregon Trail,
Native American Tribes and Legends, Japanese Gardens,
and Koi Ponds.
The future Japanese Garden will be in every sense
a work of art. The design has been created by a master
landscape architect, Toru Tanaka of Portland Landscape
Design, and is a true collaboration with nature. The
Four Rivers Cultural Center has dedicated the garden as
a memorial to those Japanese Americans interned during
World War II and to the many Japanese Americans who
fought valiantly during the war in both the Atlantic and
Pacific theaters. |
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Four Rivers
Cultural Center is accepting donations toward the completion
of the garden which is estimated to cost 1.5 million. At the
present time we have raised over 1/3 of the total cost.
Estimated completion in 2005.
CONFERENCE CENTER
An integral part of the Four Rivers Cultural Center
is a 18,000 square foot Conference Center capable of
accommodating meetings of up to 700 individuals. The
Conference Center lends itself to the type of
flexibility that can meet the special needs of each
client.
CONTACT FOR HOURS AND EVENT SCHEDULE
Four Rivers
Cultural Center and Museum
676 S.W. 5th Ave.
Ontario, Oregon 97914
Tel: (541)889-8191 | Fax: (541)889-7628 | 1-888-211-1222 |
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Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum is located in Ontario
in the eastern region of Oregon. 676 S.W. 5th Ave. Ontario,
Oregon 97914 Call for directions & info at:
1-888-211-1222. |
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Nearby Lodging areas
Ontario, John Day, Burns, Le Grande, Baker City
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Copyright
Oregon Reservations
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