Library now offering Rice Museum passes

Cathlamet Library now has a free membership pass for you to enjoy at the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals. This museum houses a world-class collection recognized as the finest in the Pacific Northwest and one of the best in the nation.

Nestled on 23 acres in a mid-century home and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, there's always something new to discover either inside the various galleries or outside on the grounds, all while learning about the original Rice family who founded the museum.

While visiting I interviewed Joseph O'Neill, Rice Museum Development Manager. "We not only want to tell the story of the Rice family, but the community of other rock hounds in the region," Joseph said. "Our hope is that when people visit they'll appreciate our natural world even more. We've all picked up a rock, looked at it, and are sometimes curious about it. Plus, we want to encourage kids to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) in their education, and we think geology fits right in there. Rocks rock, and what makes our museum unique is that it's one of the few museums where you can walk up and touch things. You get that hands-on experience."

This free Rice Museum membership pass allows four people to visit, and is available for any Cathlamet Library card member, which is also free for all Wahkiakum County residents. Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals is located at 26385 NW Groveland Dr. in Hillsboro, Ore. For more info, please visit ricenorthwestmuseum.org.

The Cathlamet Public Library is located at 115 Columbia St. and is open Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.