Have you ever wondered what Bend looked like a century ago? Are you curious about where Deschutes County’s first mountain bikers rode and what gear they used? Have you ever asked yourself who the first person to ski Mount Bachelor was?

Sitting just south of Downtown Bend, the Deschutes Historical Museum, home to the Deschutes County Historical Society, provides answers to all your Central Oregon questions. Housed in the historic Reid building, the museum highlights local stories of the high desert and its residents, from Native American tribes to the area’s original homesteaders.

Through its building exhibits and extensive collection of museum artifacts, the Deschutes Historical Museum showcases the unique and fascinating history of Deschutes County. Exhibits cover topics ranging from early outdoor recreation and tourism to local farming, ranching, and logging. With over 75,000 cataloged items, including photographs, books, textiles, and more, the museum is a rich resource for curious visitors. They also provide educational tours and programs designed to assist teachers from kindergarten to 12th grade in the region.

For those interested in advancing the museum’s mission, numerous volunteer opportunities are available. These include visitor service, tour guides, event support, research, collections and artifact care, data entry, and more.

Deschutes Historical Museum; 129 NW Idaho Ave., Bend; 541-389-1813; DeschutesHistory.org; Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; General admission costs $10, while senior admission is $8. Entry is free for individuals 17 years and younger and for museum members.