History has the potential to enliven the past, illuminate the future and help us understand the lives of those who came before us. This year at the High Desert Museum outside of Bend, history buffs and museumgoers can experience two new exhibits with fresh takes on regional history — plus experience the museum’s permanent exhibit about life in the West. Here’s what to expect to get inspired for your visit.
See Intimate Portraits From an Innovative Japanese Photographer
Frank Matsura (1873-1913) was a Japanese immigrant who moved from Seattle to the Okanogan Valley in north central Washington and opened a portrait studio in 1903. He became distinctly well known in the area and across the Northwest, photographing many communities, including local Native populations.
Visitors will learn that Matsura developed close relationships with the Native people he photographed — he captured them in both traditional attire and contemporary clothing, reflecting the reality of their lives at the time. After his death, however, Matsura’s materials sat in a friend’s garage for 50 years. Since being rediscovered, his studio portraits are now offering a unique glimpse into the lives of Indigenous people in the early 20th century.
The traveling exhibit, “Frank S. Matsura: Portraits From the Borderland,” will ignite the imagination through Matsura’s intimate portraits in high-detail glass-plate photography. From February 1 through September 7, 2025 at the High Desert Museum, they’ll be paired with cultural materials that provide context, allowing visitors to visualize the real people behind the images. For instance, a pair of chaps will be displayed next to a photograph of a man wearing chaps. Beadwork, clothing and baskets will help visitors understand the cultural context, creating a richer and more immersive experience.
Matsura’s legacy is one of respect, connection and enduring fascination. His work offers a valuable record of a specific time and place, as well as a testament to the power of human connection across communities. “[Matsura’s] work really transcends other historic dynamics of the West, particularly in the post-reservation era,” says Michael Holloman, associate professor in the Department of Art at Washington State University and a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Holloman co-curated the exhibition, which was organized by the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and made possible by Art Bridges. “[Matsura] had this really great ability to allow the people to be immortalized in their own way with agency. And the mystery surrounding Matsura contributes to the enduring appeal of his photography.”
Uncover the Rich Stories of a Notable Northwest Textile
Flannel is an iconic fabric. Logging communities and labor used this durable material for a variety of weather conditions. It has since been embraced by contemporary music and outdoor subcultures as a distinctive fashion trend.
In a unique curation at the High Desert Museum from November 2024 to June 29, 2025, visitors can trace the story and history of the fabric in a new exhibition called “Blood, Sweat & Flannel.”
The exhibit features five sections — timber, ranching, herding, sportswear and alternative rock — and examines the significance of flannel as a representation of various identities throughout the eras. In addition to imagery, tactile and interactive elements, visitors can experience the impact of the grunge movement represented by bands like Nirvana and Built to Spill. Focusing on the stories behind flannel, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the significance of this textile in the history of the Northwest and how it became a cornerstone fabric of the expression of identity.
Experience a Re-Created Historic Chinese Mercantile
Are you curious to know more about High Desert history? History buffs can move from the temporary exhibitions to the High Desert Museum’s iconic permanent exhibition that shares the diverse stories of people throughout the 19th century.
“Spirit of the West” transports visitors into immersive scenes, from an Old West town filled with the sounds of locals to a dark walk through a mine. A highlight is a re-creation of a High Desert Chinese mercantile. Visitors can expand their understanding of this history as they encounter displays with authentic Chinese tableware and other cultural items, illuminated by a Chinese lantern that once hung in Baker City. Visitors continue through the exhibit to experience other historical features of the high desert, including the Hudson’s Bay Company fort and a ranch at twilight populated by vaqueros on the range.
