Letters to the editor

Bowman Museum expansions, commitment to history impressive

I recently visited Prineville’s Bowman Museum, specifically to view the Belknap Exhibit Center’s new display. This was the Oregon Trail art of Sunriver artist, David Dittman. I found it informative, historically correct, representative and entrancing. The artist is very adept (and talented) in his depictive presentation of the lifestyle elements of that era in Oregon’s history.

More broadly, I am very impressed by the fruition of years of planning and the museum’s foresighted effort in adding to their existing wide range of offerings. The Bowman Museum is a treasure for our Crook County community. The professionalism of management and exhibition and the attention to thorough and innovative offerings to meet community needs is evident. Case-in-Point: presentation and preservation of the history of our Central Oregon community, the offering of public meeting/event space, special additive informational (and entertaining) programs, openness to working with the public and school system in assuring availability of pertinent creative programming and adding a critically important element to the tourism palette of Prineville as well.

With the recent opening of the Belknap Exhibit Center to the public and with its stated goal to provide a quality venue and space for rotating exhibits, this is an exampling of that dream and effort becoming a reality. The addition of this expansion of Bowman Museum and its programming is an exceptional extension and augmentation. Indeed, the imposing presence of the Belknap Exhibit Center, on the main thoroughfare through town, will likely become a highlight and memorable representation of Prineville — — both for tourists and the local population.

This being said, I feel it is important to provide accolades to the museum staff and the obvious, sincere, committed involvement of the volunteer board of directors.

In praise of the Bowman Museum – to its staff, board of directors, volunteers and to the commitment to enhance and broaden the quality and stature of this Crook County showcase. Impressive indeed.

Lawrence Jones

Prineville