UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENTS
The facility is available to community organizations for meetings and special fundraising events. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife will use the space for hunter education training and classes. Its convenient location makes it ideal for hosting private parties, receptions, business meetings, scout troop gatherings, club meetings, and sports team functions. School field trips and senior citizen visits are also popular, and specialized classes in art and science from local schools will regularly use the facility for studies in art, biology, and environmental science.
The museum building is situated on a 5-acre parcel, providing ample space for parking and future expansion. An outdoor archery range will be available for hunter education classes, and a dedicated area for picnics and barbecues will support group events. The entire site will be fenced and equipped with a lighted entry gate and signage.
Field Dressing Clinic
Field Dressing Clinic – November 1, 2025
On November 1, 2025, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife hosted a “Field Dressing Clinic.” The event was directed by Nick Montanari, Hunter Education and Conservation Education Coordinator for the WDFW. Six volunteer class monitors supported the clinic, which was attended by 16 students. Participants were given hands-on experience by working with animals salvaged from recent road kills. Education instructors led detailed demonstrations, allowing students to observe the field-dressing process and learn essential techniques for responsible wildlife management. The clinic provided valuable practical knowledge and emphasized the importance of ethical practices in handling wildlife.
Heritage Heights at Lake Chelan Field Trip
Heritage Heights at Lake Chelan Field Trip – September 10, 2025
On September 10, 2025, 10 residents and 2 staff members from Heritage Heights at Lake Chelan visited the museum for a field trip. During their visit, participants explored various exhibits, which sparked memories of their own experiences and adventures. Attendees were amazed by the wide variety of wildlife on display in the museum. Several individuals shared stories of their past adventures, contributing to engaging conversations and a sense of connection among the group.
Sigma Nu Fraternity WSU Class of 1965 Reunion
Sigma Nu Fraternity WSU Class of 1965 Reunion – August 2, 2025
The Sigma Nu Fraternity reunion took place on August 2, 2025, with twenty-six brothers and their families gathering for a memorable event. Denise Morris Catering provided a festive dinner, creating the perfect atmosphere for reminiscing. Historic conversations about the “Good Old Days” prevailed throughout the evening. The museum’s animal displays inspired further recollections of shared adventures, enriching the overall reunion experience.
Archery Class
Archery Class – July 25, 2025
Participants in the archery class began with brief instructional sessions covering archery fundamentals. After approximately thirty minutes of practice, most individuals were consistently able to hit their targets, demonstrating rapid skill improvement. The success of this introductory class has led to plans for more formal archery lessons, which are scheduled for the spring.
Wenatchee River Institute Wenatchee School District Summer Day Camp Visit
Wenatchee River Institute Wenatchee School District Summer Day Camp Visit – June 25, 2025
On June 25, 2025, staff from the Wenatchee River Institute brought their summer day camp students to the museum for an afternoon of games and exploration of animal displays. Around fifty students and their instructors participated in a wildlife scavenger hunt, learning about conservation and discovering the variety of wildlife found locally and worldwide.
Hunter Safety Classes – March 29 and April 27, 2025
Hunter Safety Classes – March 29 and April 27, 2025
Monty Pyle directed hunter safety classes for students working toward their first Washington State hunting licenses. Congratulations to all the students, as well as the dedicated volunteer staff who made these important learning opportunities possible!
North Shore Christian School Field Trip
Sixteen students and teachers from North Shore Christian School explored the museum’s taxidermy displays as they completed their scavenger hunt assignment. This hands-on activity enhanced students’ understanding of wildlife by engaging them directly with the exhibits.
Wilbur Ellis Company Celebrates the Holidays at Nature’s Window Museum
Celebrating Together: Wilbur Ellis Company’s Christmas Event
Wilbur Ellis Company brought the holiday spirit to Nature’s Window Museum, hosting their corporate Christmas party at the facility. The evening was filled with festive cheer, delicious food, and heartfelt moments. Catering was provided by Denise Morris, whose culinary creations made the night even more special.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of handmade quilted blankets crafted by a retiring employee. The thoughtful gifts were displayed proudly, adding a personal and memorable touch to the celebration.
Nature’s Window Museum is delighted to serve as a venue for events that foster connection, gratitude, and celebration within the community.
Adventures in Wildlife: MOE Third Graders Explore and Learn
Nature Unleashed: MOE Third Graders' Adventure at the Museum
School field trips at the Museum can be scheduled by contacting 509-670-8081.
A Journey through the Wild: Art by Dean Rainey and Sculptures by Lorenzo Ghiglieri.
"Song Dog," a painting by Dean Rainey, depicts a coyote howling in a field with trees and mountains in the background. The artwork, framed in weathered wood and gold trim, is part of Rainey's exhibition at Nature's Window Museum in Chelan through October.
Showcase: Wildlife Photographer Mark Peters Presents New Images
Eastern Washington wildlife photographer Mark Peters will present the second installment of a rotating art show at Chelan’s Nature’s Window Museum as part of its 2024 art gallery series. A fine-art photographer from Ephrata, WA, Peters captures the beauty of landscapes and wildlife, with a particular focus on the endangered Sage Grouse. Trained in photography and darkroom techniques at Eastern Washington University, Peters is driven by a passion for nature that began in childhood. His work has been widely exhibited and published, aiming to raise awareness for wildlife conservation. The exhibition opens on August 1, 2024, and will run throughout the month.
Opening Reception - Featured Artist Don Nutt
Nature's Window Museum of Wildlife and Art Gallery
Featured Artist: Don Nutt - Oils & Watercolors
May 31st and June 1st, 2024
Opening Reception:
May 31st, 4 PM - 7 PM
June 1st, 11 AM - 5 PM
21285 Highway 97A, Chelan
For more information, visit natureswindowmuseum.com or caribootrailstudio.com
Hunter Safety Classes – March 29 and April 27, 2025
Hunter Safety Classes – March 29 and April 27, 2025
Monty Pyle directed hunter safety classes for students working toward their first Washington State hunting licenses. Congratulations to all the students, as well as the dedicated volunteer staff who made these important learning opportunities possible!
Hunter Safety Education Class
Hunter Safety Education Class will begin in Chelan at Natures Window Museum on Monday, March 18, and will continue through Friday, March 22, 2024.
Meeting Schedule: Monday March 18, 2024 6:30- 9:00pm
Tuesday March 19, 2024 7:00- 9:00pm
Wednesday March 20, 2024 7:00- 9:00pm
Thursday March 21, 2024 7:00-9:00pm
Friday March 22, 2024 7:00-9:00pm
Attendance is required for all class sessions, including a range day and testing on Saturday March 23, 2024, held at the Chelan Sportsman’s Club Gun Range. Instructors will advise of time at Friday’s class.
The Hunter education classes focus on three broad topical areas:
Firearms and outdoor safety
Wildlife management
Hunter responsibility
To successfully complete the course students must pass a written test, demonstrate safe firearm handling skills, and have a positive attitude. There is no minimum age required to enroll in hunter education classes, but instructors may require a parent or guardian to attend all classes if students are under 12 years of age.
All hunter education classes are taught by instructors certified by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Classes include lectures, video, and hands on training exercises.
A second all day class will be taught at the Museum on Saturday, March 23rd for students that have completed an online course.
Hunter Safety Education Class
Hunter Safety Education Class will begin in Chelan at Natures Window Museum on Monday, March 18, and will continue through Friday, March 22, 2024.
An Artist’s Journey Mainly in Watercolor
Louis Kollmeyer is a Signature member of the Northwest Watercolor Society. He has received a number of awards and other honors. His paintings have been in 42 invitational and group shows, in over 50 juried exhibits, and 20 one-man shows. Two paintings were included in the Americans in Paris Exhibition in 1976, a Bi-Centennial of contemporary American painting.
Power and Movement - Sculpture
Twenty years ago, Jerry McKellar concentrated on root canals, crowns, and fillings in this thriving private dental practice in Colville, Washington. He had graduated from the University of Washington in 1969, spent two years with the Army Dental Corps, and then set up a practice with his wife Gayle, a dental hygienist he’d met in school. Life, however, took an interesting turn in 1987 when McKellar cast his first limited-edition sculpture entitled Startled. No one, however, was more startled than McKellar who found his love of art so strong that, by 1994, he began to devote himself to it on a full-time basis. Although the transition sounds a bit absurd, he finds that the intricate three-dimensional work of dentistry furnished good basic foundations for his sculpting. In fact, he has no formal art training other than a few patina classes. “Part of dentistry has to be quite artistic for the work to be good,” says the 63-year-old McKellar. “It does transfer over.”

