You really pack a lot of info into your posts! We’re always on our way to somewhere else when we roll through. We have stopped at Stonehenge. We’ll have to make time for the museum next time!
Substack keeps telling me my posts are too long, and I've been considering packing in less info and keeping the posts shorter. But then I get interested in another story about a place...the curse of a curious mind.
The museum is well worth a visit. Some exhibits rotate, so no promises on what to expect, but it's an enjoyable stop. Thanks for commenting!
This was a super interesting read, Christine. Thank you. The scenery in the US looks so interesting, and your skies are so big! I've added the museum to my US list. I love the indigenous beadwork, I very much like their use of patterns.
Thank you so much, Lindsay! Yes, definitely vast skies in this part of Washington and Oregon. The beadwork in Maryhill's collection was amazing--this was only a small sample. They probably have 50+ beaded pieces on display, plus basketry, painted bowls, wood carvings, and other tribal art from the western U.S.
Thank you, Andy! I actually bumped aside two other topic ideas (I'd already started writing posts on them) because I found this place so fascinating. It's incredible to think about people a hundred years ago taking on these wild projects.
Great photography, Christine! I've never been to Maryhill although the kids went on school trips and came home duly impressed with different tales about what they liked best. Your photos make me want to visit, especially on such a beautiful weather day.
Thanks, Paula. I found Maryhill well worth the visit, especially when combined with lunch in Hood River--for the full Gorge experience. :) The photos show the landscape as green, but I bet it's a different story in summer. Impressive that your kids got to go there on field trips!
I had no idea there was a replica Stonehenge near the Columbia River!
I, too, enjoy eclectic museums that seem to contain a little bit of everything -- like a cabinet of curiosities. You never know where inspiration will strike! :)
I agree that more places need eccentric visionaries--it keeps life interesting!
I've been envying your hikes among truly historic ruins, rocks, and millstones... Funny, because for the Pacific Northwest, Maryhill is "history." Washington became a state in 1889, just 20 years before Sam started building his Stonehenge.
Fascinating story about Sam Hill and his Stonehenge and interesting description of that amazing museum, Maryhill - beautiful and plentiful pictures!! As a New Yorker I’m intrigued.
Thank you, Helene. I was just thinking about how before Sam Hill could build his Stonehenge and the mansion/museum, he had to build roads just to reach the area. Really quite remarkable in the early 1900s.
During my visit to NYC in January, I had the chance to visit MoMA and the Spy Museum, both intriguing for different reasons. I envy you the easy access!
Praise and appreciation for the "characters" among us who break the mold in a world that seems to be striving through technology to standardize so much. Thank you for photographs showing the striking contrast between the stark surrounding and the classically formal museum structure. Fun to read.
Thank you! I imagine there are still mold-breakers around (plenty to be found on Substack), but you're right about the trend toward standardizing via technology. It's really quite remarkable to think about Sam Hill's creative vision and then realize he made all this happen a century ago.
I don't think I've been there since I was a kid so it was all new. Especially beautiful this time of year, when the hills were still green and wildflowers growing. The museum does rotate in exhibits, so worth checking so see what's coming next. Personally, I'm intrigued by their June event-- a campout, with a visit to Stonehenge at sunrise on the solstice!
Aw, thank you so much, Douglas! After reading your fiction and recent sign-museum post, I'd say the same about you: a true knack for storytelling. Ironically, I've visited all these spots "cold" and taken pictures--and then later, when I sit down to do research, I discover there's fun backstory to work in. Hill sounded like a real character!
What a lovely post. The images are beautiful and the story behind them are fascinating. Aren't we thankful that Sam Hill had this vision and acted on it! I remember visiting when Christine was little and was impressed then. I've been to the real Stonehenge, too. Wonderful memories!
Thank you! I'm definitely thankful for Sam Hill's visionary approach, and now I'll think of it when crossing the border to Vancouver as well (seeing the Peace Arch). The real Stonehenge is quite impressive!
You really pack a lot of info into your posts! We’re always on our way to somewhere else when we roll through. We have stopped at Stonehenge. We’ll have to make time for the museum next time!
Substack keeps telling me my posts are too long, and I've been considering packing in less info and keeping the posts shorter. But then I get interested in another story about a place...the curse of a curious mind.
The museum is well worth a visit. Some exhibits rotate, so no promises on what to expect, but it's an enjoyable stop. Thanks for commenting!
Fascinating! Did not know there was a Stonehenge in Oregon! I like the chess sets.
This was a super interesting read, Christine. Thank you. The scenery in the US looks so interesting, and your skies are so big! I've added the museum to my US list. I love the indigenous beadwork, I very much like their use of patterns.
Thank you so much, Lindsay! Yes, definitely vast skies in this part of Washington and Oregon. The beadwork in Maryhill's collection was amazing--this was only a small sample. They probably have 50+ beaded pieces on display, plus basketry, painted bowls, wood carvings, and other tribal art from the western U.S.
Fascinating post Christine. Great photos with all the context - well presented!
Thank you, Andy! I actually bumped aside two other topic ideas (I'd already started writing posts on them) because I found this place so fascinating. It's incredible to think about people a hundred years ago taking on these wild projects.
Great photography, Christine! I've never been to Maryhill although the kids went on school trips and came home duly impressed with different tales about what they liked best. Your photos make me want to visit, especially on such a beautiful weather day.
Thanks, Paula. I found Maryhill well worth the visit, especially when combined with lunch in Hood River--for the full Gorge experience. :) The photos show the landscape as green, but I bet it's a different story in summer. Impressive that your kids got to go there on field trips!
I had no idea there was a replica Stonehenge near the Columbia River!
I, too, enjoy eclectic museums that seem to contain a little bit of everything -- like a cabinet of curiosities. You never know where inspiration will strike! :)
Yep, a full-sized monument. It's quite impressive! I love "cabinet of curiosities"--a perfect description for this particular museum.
More places need eccentric visionaries like Sam Hill. Mary Hill seems beautiful ❤️
I agree that more places need eccentric visionaries--it keeps life interesting!
I've been envying your hikes among truly historic ruins, rocks, and millstones... Funny, because for the Pacific Northwest, Maryhill is "history." Washington became a state in 1889, just 20 years before Sam started building his Stonehenge.
Fascinating story about Sam Hill and his Stonehenge and interesting description of that amazing museum, Maryhill - beautiful and plentiful pictures!! As a New Yorker I’m intrigued.
Thank you, Helene. I was just thinking about how before Sam Hill could build his Stonehenge and the mansion/museum, he had to build roads just to reach the area. Really quite remarkable in the early 1900s.
During my visit to NYC in January, I had the chance to visit MoMA and the Spy Museum, both intriguing for different reasons. I envy you the easy access!
Praise and appreciation for the "characters" among us who break the mold in a world that seems to be striving through technology to standardize so much. Thank you for photographs showing the striking contrast between the stark surrounding and the classically formal museum structure. Fun to read.
Thank you! I imagine there are still mold-breakers around (plenty to be found on Substack), but you're right about the trend toward standardizing via technology. It's really quite remarkable to think about Sam Hill's creative vision and then realize he made all this happen a century ago.
Maryhill is a wonderful place, for sure - always a treat to visit. We haven’t been for a couple years, your story made me want to go back.
I don't think I've been there since I was a kid so it was all new. Especially beautiful this time of year, when the hills were still green and wildflowers growing. The museum does rotate in exhibits, so worth checking so see what's coming next. Personally, I'm intrigued by their June event-- a campout, with a visit to Stonehenge at sunrise on the solstice!
Christine: You have a real knack for bringing places alive by telling the backstory! Hill clearly led a very large life and left even a bigger legacy.
Aw, thank you so much, Douglas! After reading your fiction and recent sign-museum post, I'd say the same about you: a true knack for storytelling. Ironically, I've visited all these spots "cold" and taken pictures--and then later, when I sit down to do research, I discover there's fun backstory to work in. Hill sounded like a real character!
What a lovely post. The images are beautiful and the story behind them are fascinating. Aren't we thankful that Sam Hill had this vision and acted on it! I remember visiting when Christine was little and was impressed then. I've been to the real Stonehenge, too. Wonderful memories!
Thank you! I'm definitely thankful for Sam Hill's visionary approach, and now I'll think of it when crossing the border to Vancouver as well (seeing the Peace Arch). The real Stonehenge is quite impressive!