The history of the Pendleton Round-Up, and the people and animals involved, is told through fascinating displays of Round-Up history, past Royalty, Presidents, Champions, and even rodeo stock. Many Round-Up artifacts can be enjoyed in the Round-Up Hall of Fame.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: You can watch a video overview of this location's accessibility features here.
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Please correct the name in the header, i.e., “ Happy Canyon Hall of Fame” NOT ‘Farme’ / Born in Pendleton…I first went to Happy Canyon itself in the 1950s and it was amazing. The parade to the encampment by the Umatilla, Cayuse and Walla Walla peoples in full regalia. See also Tamâstslikt Cultural Center on the CTUIR (the reservation) for cultural context a MUST for understanding the indigenous peoples dispossessions.
Let me start by saying this venue should not be visited without a corresponding visit to the Heritage Museum. The two are very complementary of each other which makes sense given the cultural and historic significance of the annual Roundup. If you are very lucky, you will meet the wonderful Virginia who will happily engage you in conversation regarding virtually anything involving Pendleton history. This exhibit is currently undergoing "modernization" in a manner of speaking, as the staff is hard at work digitizing as much of it as is possible. It would be interesting to see if they are able to afford to have a 3D virtual reality program of the Hall of Fame created. I would highly recommend that generous donations be given to this museum in order to help them consider that as an option. If you want to know anything at all about the annual rodeo, the people who make it happen each year and the successes and tragedies it has experienced over the past 112 years, you will find that information at the Hall of Fame (or, if not there, I am almost certain Virginia will have an answer for you). I highly recommend a visit to this venue if you are visiting Pendleton.
Since we don't know much about rodeos, we went hoping to find out more about the history of the Pendleton Roundup. It mostly has exhibits focusing on a lot of the famous participants of the rodeo, which would probably have meant more to us if we knew more about the events. Considering it was free it was still worth the stop to get a little flavor of the roundup.
Lots of information, picture's and staff is able to answer questions. It is continuing to build so there will be much more soon.
We only went to Happy Canyon play, NOT the Hall of Fame or the Roundup. An entertaining and educational musical drama spanning the pre-Columbian indigenous culture, the white settlers, and then some exhibition riding.