Maryhill Museum of Art

In a Beaux-Arts mansion on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River, Maryhill Museum of Art showcases an eclectic range of objects. The home was built by industrialist Sam Hill, who planned to found a Quaker agricultural community on his estate. The community was never established, and the house was turned into a museum.

Parking and public transportation at Maryhill Museum of Art
There is no public transportation to Maryhill Museum of Art. The museum is approximately 100 miles from Portland, Oregon, and can be reached by taking I-84 East to Exit 87 to US-197 North. Cross the bridge into Washington and travel east on WA-14 for approximately 20 miles. Free parking is available in the museum parking lots.

Admission to Maryhill Museum of Art
The museum is open daily from March 15 to November 15. Its hours of admission are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult tickets are $9. Seniors 65 and older) are $8, and youth (ages 7-13) tickets are $3. The museum also offers a family admission of $25, which includes 2 adults and related children (ages 7-18).

Must see/do at the Maryhill Museum of Art
The museum's exhibit on Auguste Rodin contains 87 works by the French sculptor. The Theatre de la Mode is a collection of mannequins, one-third the size of a person, wearing fashions created by some of France's most famous postwar designers. Other exhibits include the royal memorabilia of Queen Marie of Romania (1874-1938), international chess sets, Native American artifacts, a sculpture garden and Orthodox icons.

Other places to visit near Maryhill Museum of Art
The Goldendale Observatory State Park is a certified Dark Sky Park that offers year-round educational programs and telescope viewing. Several wineries, including Maryhill Winery and Jacob Williams Winery are within 20 miles of the museum.

Insider tips for visitors to Maryhill Museum of Art
In addition to large-scale sculptures, the sculpture garden is also home to several peacocks you can watch while you picnic. The life-sized replica of Stonehenge at the eastern edge of the museum's property was built as a World War I memorial.

Author's bio: Margaret Foley is a writer and editor living in Portland, Oregon.