Shafer Historical Museum - Winthrop Washington

Located right in the town of Winthrop one block up the hillside is the Shafer Museum, open in spring and summer. One might not expect much at a museum in such a small town but get ready for a surprise, the museum is fairly large with several buildings and many outdoor exhibits. The museum is run by the Okanogan County Historical Society and they improve and expand the village of buildings. The location is prime, above the town with the main building called The Castle, for it was once the nicest log cabin in town. It was crafted in 1896 by Guy Waring for his wife who wouldn't come out west without one. The building displays household items used by early Methow Valley pioneers. The General Store offers visitors the opportunity to view items that were available to the early pioneers in the 1890s. The Ladies Shop is a duplicate the original Hall Shop, which was located in downtown Winthrop from June 11, 1923 until 1950. Several old dolls are on display, as well as old clothing and other items you might have found in a ladies' shop during pioneer times. The Mining Display is probably the most interesting for most showing all the early mining equipment used in the region during the last century. This is one of the best mining machinery displays found anywhere in the West. The Print Shop shows presses used by newspapers in the early days of the valley. Finally, the School House was moved to the museum grounds in 1994. It was built by the Ortells on their homestead on Bear Creek in 1894.