Clearwater Historical Museum
Clearwater Historical Museum, Orofino, Idaho

Welcome to our local history
Come visit the museum to learn more

Exhibits

Our museum includes all of the Clearwater River drainage region, east and west from the Montana border to the confluence of the Clearwater River and Snake Rivers at Lewiston, north and south from southern Shoshone County into parts of Idaho County.

Pre-History 

Nimi'ipuu legends tell how Coyote created the people of this land. See tools used by the early peoples of this land at the Clearwater Historical Museum.
This is a replica of pictographs found above the Clearwater River between Kamiah and Orofino

Nez Perce

The Nez Perce utilize the land and its resources today in the tradition of their past. Berries, fish, wild game, roots, and bulbs still provide an important part of the Nez Perce diet.
These items were made by the Nez Perce, a child's doll, moccasins, corn husk saddle bags are some of what we are showing here.

Helgeson Hotel
Memorabilia

The Helgeson Hotel in downtown Orofino, Idaho has generously shared memorabilia from their past. At one time the hotel housed an elegant restaurant and ballroom.
The Helgeson Hotel was built in 1924 and opened for business in January 1925.

Log Mural

Mural of the Clearwater River. Lewis and Clark met the Nez Perce Indians on the Weippe Prairie and traveled to a site now known as Canoe Camp, there they built five canoes and continued to the Pacific Ocean by water.
This mural shows men getting logs back into the river during a log drive before WWII.

Logging

Rich in Logging History, Clearwater County now celebrates Lumberjack Days each September. Visit Heritage Plaza in downtown Orofino.
How would you like to carry this old chainsaw every day?

Old Medicine

Medicine has evolved much in the last century. The Clearwater Historical Museum has a great collection of antique medical tools and supplies.
Doctors, before prescriptions, mixed their own drugs to help patients get well.
 

Gold Mining

Mangle was used in a laundry in Pierce when miners were looking for gold
This mangle was used in a laundry in Pierce when miners were looking for gold.

  

[ Nez Perce Indians ] [ Gold Rush History ] [ Logging ] [ Lewis & Clark ]

Become a member of the Clearwater Historical Society--0nly $5 per year

 

Hours: 1:30pm to 4:30pm Tuesday-Saturday (Oct. 1 - May 31)
  1:30pm to -5:30pm Tuesday - Saturday (June 1 - Sept. 30)

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Clearwater Historical Museum
315 College Ave.
P.O. Box 1454
Orofino, ID 83544-1454
(208) 476-5033
Email: info@clearwatermuseum.org

Supported by cash donations and donations of artifacts. All exhibits are donations from the area

Web Site paid for by Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Museums Initiative

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