Tours of the universe Goldendale Observatory Washington State Parks Free afternoon tours of the observatory 1602 Observatory Drive Goldendale, WA 98620 may include exploring the primary telescope (509) 773-3141 dome, display areas or scenic grounds, but the main event is observing the sun through State Parks information: Goldendale a specially filtered telescope during the (360) 902-8844 once-daily solar show. Visitors also will have Reservations: Online at www.parks.state.wa.us or Observatory an opportunity to look through the main 24.5” GOLDENDALE OBSERVATORY telescope at distant scenery and experience an STATE PARK call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688 impressive landscape which includes Oregon’s State Park Heritage Site Mount Hood and Washington’s Klickitat Valley. Other state parks located The free evening program includes classroom in the general area: presentations on astronomical topics, laser-guided Brooks Memorial, Maryhill, Columbia Hills and Doug's outdoor tours of constellations with the unaided Beach eye, and observations through the real eyepiece of the big 24.5” telescope. Mountains and craters on the moon, the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, Connect with us on social media distant star clusters, nebulae and galaxies are all www.twitter.com/WAStatePks potential subjects of evening observation. Special programs and guest speakers may be www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks available throughout the year. www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks Share your storiesS andSample photos: Hours S Sample Adventure Awaits.com For observatory hours, visit online at 2017 2018 www.parks.state.wa.us Sample S S Sample If you would like to support Washington State Parks2016 even more, please consider making a 2019 donation when renewing your license plate tabs. You also may place a check in a donation box The Discover Pass is required for day visits to state parks when you visit state parks. and access to other state-managed recreation lands. The Donations are a significant part of the State Parks budget and are needed to keep your parks open and operating. pass provides access to millions of acres of parks, wildlife For more information, visit www.parks.state.wa.us/donations areas, trails, natural areas and water-access sites. The annual pass is transferable between two vehicles. • Annual pass: $30 • One-day pass: $10 (transaction and dealer fees may apply) Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission The Discover Pass can be purchased online, by phone P.O. Box 42650 or in person. For details, visit Olympia, WA 98504-2650 www.discoverpass.wa.gov or (360) 902-8500 call (866) 320-9933. www.parks.state.wa.us • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Thank you for Commission members: Ken Bounds Mark O. Brown supporting Patricia T. Lantz Michael Latimer Washington state Steve S. Milner Diana Perez Lucinda S. Whaley recreation lands. Agency director: Don Hoch All Washington state parks are developed and maintained for the enjoyment of all people.

To request this brochure in an alternative format, please call (360) 902-8844 or the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. P&R 45-71001-01 (01/19) www.parks.state.wa.us History Working in the 1960s, four amateur astronomers— them to meet with the town’s mayor, George Nesbitt. Mack McConnell, John Marshall, Don Conner and Eventually, a proposal was developed to create an Omer VanderVelden—built the 24-inch Cassegrain observatory and science center with a mission of reflecting telescope that is housed at Goldendale furthering public astronomy education. Funding for Observatory. The men, only one of whom had a the construction of the observatory was provided college degree, began their project in an astronomy by donations, a federal grant and a bank loan. The club at Vancouver’s Clark College. They spent observatory was dedicated as a public education more than six years designing and assembling center on Oct. 13, 1973. the telescope and grinding the glass for its mirror, On Feb. 26, 1979, Goldendale Observatory served spending only $3,000 on materials. as the National Astronomical League’s headquarters Due to light pollution and persistent cloud cover, Goldendaleduring a solar eclipse. An estimated 15,000 people Observatory Vancouver was not an ideal location for astronomical showed up to watch the event. observation. The group set out to find a more The Goldendale ObservatoryS Corporation,tate a ParWelcomek to suitable location for their telescope. As part of their non-profit, volunteer organization, operated the search, Marshall and Goldendalehis wife made a trip to eastern facility through Observatory 1980, when the observatory was Goldendale Washington with Don Conner and stopped to eat acquired by the Washington State Parks and lunch at a café in Goldendale. They mentionedAmphitheater Recreation Commission. It is one of the largest State Park ObservatoryWorkshop their project to the café’s owner who arrangedADA for public observatories in the nation. Secondary accessible Observatory Screen Parking Goldendale Observatory sits on five acres and has been attracting Amphitheater Sidewalk Workshop skywatchers since 1973. The ADA Secondary accessible Park boundary Screen ObservatoryFlag pole observatory houses one of the Parking nation’s largest public telescopes Sidewalk Gate and a number of others. The Park boundary observatory offers spectacular Flag pole Observatory buildingviews of the countryside from atop the observatory hill in the Gate daytime and magnificent views Observatory Drive ObservatoryChain link fence of the universe at night. building

Observatory Drive Chain link fence

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1602 Observatory Drive Goldendale, WA 98620 • Information Center (360) 902-8844