MARYHILL — It all adds up to what Colleen Schafroth calls “moments of astounding wowness.”
There’s the diverse collection of European and American treasures, from Indian baskets to sculptures by Rodin to chess sets from across the centuries. There’s the stunningly panoramic perch on the north side of the Columbia River Gorge, complete with a sculpture garden to stroll in and an outdoor veranda where you can enjoy lunch, local wines and seemingly endless views. There’s the bizarre, full-scale, concrete replica of Stonehenge, the ancient British monument, just a short hop to the east, as well as other nearby attractions like wineries, hiking trails, massive dams and the city of The Dalles, Ore.
And then there’s the busy schedule of museum activities: lectures and workshops, tango lessons and children’s storytimes, even an overnight star-gazing campout with the Rose City Astronomers and the Goldendale Observatory.
The Maryhill Museum of Art is “an all-encompassing experience,” said Schafroth, the executive director. “It’s a collection of wonderful, beautiful things, inside and out.” Schafroth, who said she’s worked at Maryhill for 30 years, still loves noticing how newcomers’ jaws drop at the combination of natural and human-made art here.
“All they can do is go ‘Wow,’ ” she said. “I feel the same way. I’m still amazed this place is here.”