Experience Harney County history. Dee period room displays, wagons, period clothing, wildlife, and archaeological exhibits. The museum has been in existence since 1960 and is a treasure trove of artifacts and old photographs related to Harney County. Harney Countians and their descendants donated everything in the museum. Although the building may look small from the outside, it is filled to the brim with a wide variety of artifacts. Here you will see old radios, saddles, horse trophies, dolls cooking utensils, military relics and Native American artifacts. Also on display are old pictures, dishes, vintage clothes, wildlife mounts, books, rocks and fossils plus much more. Several displays include Peter French memorabilia, Edward Hines Lumber Company, Civilian Conservation Corp, The Peterson Room, The Hanley Room and the Veterans boards from the old Ideal Theater and an old time haying display.
About Harney County Historical Museum
Reviews & Ratings
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September 26, 2026SkiHamsterThis museum is a gem.
This museum is a gem with very friendly and knowledgeable staff. It includes information on Native Americans, Peter French, ranching families, and a host of local activities. Highly recommend if you have a hour or more in Burns.
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October 22, 2023Marjorie D
Number One Experience in Burns
So much to see and learn. Very kind and informative hosts who have filled every space with artifacts, photos, accounts of the history of the region and more. We could have visited several times if plans allowed. Looking forward to Paiute-focused museum just down the street. It may need some support for completion. Once done will undoubtedly create an even more comprehensive and compelling destination, a great reason to visit Burns.
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June 19, 2023mariasW2527RF
A Blast from the Past
The museum was well maintained with a wide variety of artifacts in its collection considering the size of the museum. I could easily have spent all afternoon there.
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July 31, 2022064gal
Great museum, extensive and fascinating collection.
As volunteers at the small, volunteer-run museum in our hometown, we like to visit other similar museums. The Harney County Museum was an excellent one. Like most of these kinds of museums, it takes dedicated and usually older, retired folks like us to keep them going. It was rich with exhibits of the local history with two floors of artifacts in a wide range of interest areas: native culture, pioneer days, minerals, forest products industry, and so forth. The docent on duty was very helpful, too. We spent over two hours but could have done a longer visit if we hadn't needed to get to our next destination during daylight hours.
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February 11, 2020Chowa-Rides-AgainHarney County Museum
We were in town so we stopped by today. We really wanted to see their giant ball of string that we had read about online. Found out they are closed for the winter. No date on the sign on the door when they’d be reopening.