The Thomas Condon Paleontology and Visitor Center at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument has fossils, information boards and murals on exhibit.

Grant County museums are now open for the 2024 season which is mighty good news for local history buffs, memory lane wanderers and those just curious about days gone by.

Trains, fossils, Chinese herbal medicine, cowboy poetry, gold mining tools, Native American artifacts — all that and much more await your inquisitive mind, along with curators and volunteers ready to assist in your search.

The five museums are a diverse lot, each offering its own chapter in Grant County’s rich story. A visit to more than one is an absolute must.

Here’s a rundown of each museum with everything you need to know when planning your visit.

Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site

125 NW Canton St., John Day

Chinese immigrants and their influence during Grant County’s early days are honored in this renowned gem, “Golden Flower of Prosperity.” The interpretive center on Northwest Canton Street features historic exhibits, videos and a gift shop.

The preserved museum on nearby Ing Hay Way, the heart of Kam Wah Chung, is where herbal doctor Ing Hay and fellow entrepreneur Lung On operated various businesses from 1888-1948.

Both are currently open Thursdays through Mondays, through October, but may be open daily later in the summer.

The site is part of the Oregon State Parks system.

The interpretive center’s hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guided museum tours are available at the top of the hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission at both is free.

Call 541-575-2800 or visit friendofkamwahchung.com.

Grant County Ranch and Rodeo Museum

241 E. Main St., John Day

Not much says “Grant County” more than its vibrant cowboy lifestyle and legacy.

The Grant County Ranch and Rodeo Museum, which opened in 2005, is dedicated to the area’s ranch and rodeo history.

Exhibits such as knife collections, past fair and rodeo court costumes, trophy saddles, rodeo champion displays, Western art, books and more are divided into themed areas and rooms throughout the museum.

Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday through September. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 12. Call 541-575-0052 for information.

Grant County Historical Museum

101 S. Canyon City Blvd., Canyon City

As its name implies, the Grant County Historical Museum is where you’ll find a comprehensive showcase of county history, as well as a research library.

Gold mining tools, rocks, vintage newspapers and photographs, Native American artifacts, household items, farming equipment and a gift shop fill the spacious museum, which has been at its present location since 1953.

The Greenhorn Jail and local pioneer Joaquin Miller’s cabin are next to the museum and available for tours.

Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, until the end of September. Admission is $4 for adults, $3.50 for seniors and veterans, $2 for kids ages 7-17, and free for those under 7.

Call 541-575-0362 or visit grantcountyhistoricalmuseum.org

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Thomas Condon Visitor Center, Sheep Rock Unit

Highway 19, one mile north of Highway 26

Looking for ancient history? The John Day Fossil Beds is just the place.

The Thomas Condon Visitor Center at the Sheep Rock Unit, named for 19th century paleontologist Thomas Condon, houses fossil displays, exhibits and a state-of-the-art research facility. The nearby Historic Cant Ranch Museum features information and artifacts on early homesteaders and Native Americans who lived in the area.

The monument has two other units, Clarno near Fossil, and Painted Hills near Mitchell. All three offer trails and other outdoor use areas — which are always open — for exploring a variety of stunning geological formations.

Admission to all Fossil Beds facilities is free.

For information about open hours at the Thomas Condon Center and the Cant Ranch, call 541- 987-2333 or visit nps.gov/joda.

DeWitt Museum and Sumpter Valley Railway

Depot Park, Bridge and Main Streets, Prairie City

Current open hours are noon- 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 31. Admission is $5 per person.

The museum will be open from 1-4 p.m. on the Fourth of July, with free admission to all, and then closed on Friday, July 5.

Volunteers are needed to help staff and maintain the museum. Interested groups and individuals can call 458-228-0978 or 541-820-3330.