AAID Museum Visits

For two beautiful days in September Amy and Tom joined Lindy Trolan and Kim Mueller and the Grand Ronde advisory committee on tours of The Museum at Warm Springs (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs) and the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, (Umatilla, Walla Walla and Cayuse).

These two museums were selected for review of exhibits and facilities to aid in the design of the proposed Grand Ronde Museum and Cultural Center. Both Jones and Jones Architects and Andre & Associates are working with the Grand Ronde to develop this project. Michael Fiegenschuh of Jones and Jones was part of the Warm Springs tour.

Warm Springs Director Carol Leone and her staff hospitably welcomed us and toured us through the exhibits and behind the scenes. Special thanks to Nathalie. We learned what worked and what could be improved upon. This was the same case with Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, where Director Bobbie Connor, Malissa Minthorn Winks and Randall Melton, amongst others, kindly gave of their time and expertise.

Besides the importance of the association of programmed spaces, their sizes and how they integrate; the biggest common issues were the need for more storage space not just for collections but for gift shops, gift shop merchandise, basic storage for tables and chairs, food storage and provision for workable spaces for community gatherings, ceremonials, and feasting events.

A big thanks to Dolores Parmenter for sharing her album of Canoe Journey images and explaining the tradition and history to us.


The entrance to the Museum at Warm Springs


The group outside the Museum at Warm Springs


A showcase at the Museum at Warm Springs


The Donor Panel Wall at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute


Recreated traditional structures at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute