Shafer Museum

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Shafer Museum Preserving and sharing the history, culture and sense of place in the Methow Valley

In 1891, 32 year old Harvard graduate named Guy Waring arrived in the Methow Valley, spotted a market in the handful of miners and ranchers living nearby and opened Winthrop's first general store. After two years of success, the store burned and Waring was forced to move back east to recoup his losses. Three years later he returned to rebuild his business, having enticed his reluctant wife to return with him by promising to build her a fine home. This carefully crafted log house, called "The Castle" by locals, is now the centerpiece of the Shafer Museum. 0wen Wister, author of The Virginian, visited here twice, drawing some of his story from the area. The Shafer Museum showcases the rich and varied history of Winthrop: its unique local characters; its mining, ranching, and farming history; and its evolution from a small Native site on the shores of the Chewuch River to the diverse cultural mecca it is today.

Long body car for public transport, likely a stage between the upper Methow Valley and the Brewster and Pateros area. T...
10/20/2026

Long body car for public transport, likely a stage between the upper Methow Valley and the Brewster and Pateros area. Theriault's stage coach business.

10/19/2026

Keeping the Shafer Museum open requires over 140 volunteer hours each month, but keeping the lights on, restoring artifacts and hosting educational programming requires generous donations from the community. If you make a donation to the Shafer Museum during this Give Methow season, here's what you're supporting!

Historic Preservation
The Shafer Museum is responsible for preserving historic buildings, unique artifacts, photographs and personal stories. This work requires time, money and expert care.
Youth Education
This summer, the museum hosted summer camp sessions, school field trips and led engaging programming at Little Star School. These experiences bring history to life and offer unique learning experiences for youth.
Community Events
The museum hosted a summer social, video presentations on the history of Mazama and sponsored a town-wide outdoor quilt show this year. These events keep locals, newcomers and visitors alike connected to the history of the Methow Valley.
Help keep local history alive - donate today!

FUNDAY MONDAY
Choose to donate on a Monday and your donation could go farther!
Monday donors are entered into a drawing for a donation gift card that can be applied to the organization of their choice.

Harry Mourer and Bernice Mourer are the couple in the middle. Their friends are on either side of them.
10/19/2026

Harry Mourer and Bernice Mourer are the couple in the middle. Their friends are on either side of them.

Skull and Crossbones Lookout near Loomis, WA. It was later decommissioned and moved by helicopter to Horseshoe Basin.
10/16/2026

Skull and Crossbones Lookout near Loomis, WA. It was later decommissioned and moved by helicopter to Horseshoe Basin.

If you missed the Our Methow Home: Mazama presentations earlier this year then don't miss this final showing! Join us on...
10/16/2026

If you missed the Our Methow Home: Mazama presentations earlier this year then don't miss this final showing! Join us on October 17th 4-6pm at the Mazama Community Club.

We'll have a 50-minute video presentation followed by plenty of time to ask questions and browse special displays of mining and early pioneer life. You can also purchase the book Our Methow Home: Mazama along with other historical books.

Grab your friends, tell a neighbor and we'll see you in Mazama!

Paul Spaeth driving a horsedrawn buggy. The two young girls are Susan and Janet Spaeth.
10/15/2026

Paul Spaeth driving a horsedrawn buggy. The two young girls are Susan and Janet Spaeth.

If you missed the Our Methow Home: Mazama presentations earlier this year then don't miss this final showing! Join us on...
10/13/2026

If you missed the Our Methow Home: Mazama presentations earlier this year then don't miss this final showing! Join us on October 17th 4-6pm at the Mazama Community Club.

We'll have a video presentation followed by plenty of time to ask questions and browse special displays of mining and early pioneer life. You can also purchase the book Our Methow Home: Mazama along with other historical books.

Grab your friends, tell a neighbor and we'll see you in Mazama!

Janet Spaeth ice skating on manmade ice rink in corral
10/12/2026

Janet Spaeth ice skating on manmade ice rink in corral

This summer, the museum hosted summer camp sessions, school field trips and led engaging programming at Little Star Scho...
10/12/2026

This summer, the museum hosted summer camp sessions, school field trips and led engaging programming at Little Star School. These experiences bring history to life and offer unique learning experiences for youth.

Keeping local history alive is a heavy lift, but thanks to decades of community participation and financial support the Shafer Museum is a shining example of what community powered history can be. This Give Methow season we hope that you'll join in that tradition and show support for the Shafer - Donate TODAY! Every dollar makes a difference.

FUNDAY MONDAY
Choose to donate on a Monday and your donation could go farther!
Monday donors are entered into a drawing for a donation gift card that can be applied to the organization of their choice.

Hillside view of Methow Valley Ranch with Paul Spaeth at left of picture
10/08/2026

Hillside view of Methow Valley Ranch with Paul Spaeth at left of picture

Address

285 Castle Avenue
Winthrop, WA
98862

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+15093809911

Website

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