The Bison: American Icon exhibit opens at the museum September 1. Few animals conjure the power and symbolic presence of the North American bison. Whether painted on a tipi or an artist’s canvas, minted on a nickel, or seen grazing in Yellowstone National Park, the image of the bison stirs in us deep loyalties to the North American landscape.
Wild and fundamental, the bison is a familiar part of our shared heritage.
Originating from the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Mont., The Bison: American Icon explores the meaning and significance of this iconic creature from the Plains Indian culture of the 1800’s through the commercial and national symbol of the present. Along the way, The Bison charts the dramatic changes that occurred to the creature and its habitat, and to the people who depended upon it for their daily existence. The exhibition also illuminates the human response that eventually led to the bison’s preservation as a species and a symbol in the 20th century. Through January 6.
This exhibition has been made possible through NEH on the Road,
a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
It is brought to you by Mid-America Arts Alliance.
The Bison: American Icon was organized by the C. M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Mont.
Raptors of the Desert Sky- Extended! Weekends through Sept. 30
Be inspired by the agility of hawks, owls and other raptors in flight as they soar around you in our forest. Our biologist narrates, addressing each species’ hunting techniques, diet and conservation status. 11:30am Weather permitting. 10-minute walk from the Admissions desk. Members, $2; non-members, $3 per person, plus admission; ages 4 and
under, free. Tickets available at Admissions.
Mustang Adoption Day
September 1
Come and meet, or even adopt a mustang who has spent the summer at our 1904 ranch and corral. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management offers the adoption as part of their management of the mustang population to ensure that healthy herds thrive on healthy rangelands. 11am – 3pm Details at www.blm.gov/or/resources/whb/
Labor and Lumber
September 1, 2 and 3 11am-4pm
Celebrate Labor Day Weekend by helping a family of settlers, the Millers, and their friends with turn-of-the century woodworking, cross-cut sawing and cabin building. Discover how important the forests were to High Desert homesteaders.
Volunteer Recognition and Annual Meeting
September 7
Join us for our Annual Meeting as we celebrate our achievements of the past year, honor our volunteers, and this year, bid farewell to Bob Boyd, Curator of Western History for more than 25 years.
With hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar.
6pm-8pm. Members, free; Non-members, $5.
RSVP by Sept. 2 to 541-382-4754 ext. 241 or volunteer@highdesertmuseum.org
Uniquely Oregon: Native American Art of Oregon
September 8
Oregon is home to an abundance of native identities reflected within tribal artwork. How do art styles of different cultures vary throughout the state and the Pacific Northwest? Portland State University scholar-in-residence Tracy Prince facilitates an interactive program examining these questions and others in a historical consideration of Oregon’s Native American art. 6pm.
Free.
In conjunction with Oregon Humanities.
RSVP: 541-382-4754 ext. 241 or aarbow@highdesertmuseum.org
September 11
Natural History Pub: “Life with an Indian Prince” a special screening of the 1940 documentary film by John and Frank Craighead
This extraordinary color film from 1940, sponsored by the National Geographic Society, documents the traditional falconry practices of the Indian Rajput princes. The film reveals many unique wildlife species, habitats, and cultural practices that have long since disappeared.
7pm (doors open at 6pm)
Father Luke’s Room at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Bend.
RSVP: www.highdesertmuseum.org/rsvp/
New Volunteer Orientation
September 14
Discover how you can assist the Museum by working with wildlife, giving talks, tours, or working behind the scenes.
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
RSVP: volunteer@highdesertmuseum.org
Sensational Saturday: Bison
September 15
Families: creative, hands-on fun inspired by how bison altered the High Desert landscape, supported communities on the frontier, and became icons for many cultures throughout the West. 10 am – 3 pm
Bat Walk
September 15
Join an exciting evening expedition in search of bats on our grounds using echolocator equipment. Learn about these flying, mosquito-gobbling mammals and their important role in our ecosystems. 6:45 pm – 8pm
Members: $3, Non-Members $5
RSVP: www.highdesertmuseum.org/rsvp/
Owl Prowl
September 22, October 5, October 12, October 20
Join us on an evening walk through the Museum’s forest in search for some of our 12 species of owls, from great horned owls and barn owls to great grey owls and screech owls. Learn what their calls mean, and how to call owls and get them to come close. And meet close-up some of the owls that are part of the Museum’s educational programs. 6:30pm- 7:30pm. Members, free. Non-members, $10. Spaces limited. RSVP: www.highdesertmuseum.org/rsvp/
Exhibit Closing: Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl
September 16
Exhibit Opening: Butterflies and Hummingbirds
September 29
Experience live butterflies and hummingbirds close up as they flutter and zip around you in our lush, indoor garden. Be inspired by the beauty of these fascinating creatures while learning about their migrations, plant interactions, and conservation.
Harvest Festival
September 29
Help harvest vegetables and celebrate the season’s bounty. Make apple cider using a 100-year-old press, and see Dutch oven cooking. Ride an early 20th-century wagon (rides: $2 per person, $10 per family. Children under 2, free.)
Backpack Explorers
9:30am -10:30am, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Parents and children ages 3 and 4 do science, art, body movement stations, share stories and songs. Don backpacks filled with cool artifacts and explore the Museum’s animal habitats. Take home art and a Museum adventure activity. New themes each week! Members: $10 per child. Non-members: $15 per child, plus Museum admission for accompanying adult. Registration required: 541-382-4754, ext. 329, and at highdesertmuseum.org.
Sept 5 – 6: Chicken Chatter – Off to the ranch we go! Feed the chickens and see if they have laid any eggs. Do experiments and discover chicken eggs’ hidden strength.
Sept 12 – 13: Pokey Porcupine – What moves slowly, but can quickly poke your toe? Get to know the Museum’s pokey friends learn all about them.
Sept 19-20: Slithering Snakes – Discover the science behind the mysteries of these cold-blooded beings.
Sept 26 – 27: Big Bison – They’re big and strong. Learn all about them and their habitat.
Hawk Watch and Migration Counting at Green Ridge
September 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 27
Come help Museum curators and the East Cascade Audubon Society count raptors migrating south. Curators will be there to answer questions and help identify birds such as bald and golden eagles, kestrels, merlins, peregrine falcons, sharp-shinned hawks, Coopers hawks, red-tailed hawks and more.
Mt. Jefferson is our beautiful backdrop as these majestic and spectacular birds migrate south along the 15-mile-long ridge, where we also may see pygmy owl, white-headed woodpecker, Williamson’s sapsucker, sooty grouse and Northern goshawk.
Meet at Indian Ford Campground near Sisters at 9 am. Free. Details at highdesertmuseum.org.
About the High Desert Museum
The High Desert Museum is nationally acclaimed for inspiring stewardship of the natural and cultural resources of the High Desert. It offers close-up wildlife encounters, living history performances, Native American and Western art, nature trails, tours and special programs for all ages. An independent, nonprofit educational institution, it is on 135 forested acres, five minutes from Bend on South Highway 97. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily May 1 through Oct. 31. Adults, $15; seniors (65 plus), $12; ages 5-12, $9; ages 4 and younger and all members, free. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Nov. 1 through April 30. Closed July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
