Celebrating “A Sense of Place” in the Columbia Gorge

In September, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum in The Dalles, Oregon, opened A Sense of Place — a new permanent exhibit that tells the story of the Carver family’s historic Imperial Stock Ranch and its pivotal role in reshaping the wool industry. The museum, the official interpretive center of the Columbia River Gorge, now houses historic ranch equipment, tools, photography, textiles, and the inspiring “sun to wool” story — tracing the journey from sunlight, soil, water, and plants to sheep and wool, and the philosophy to “see the land win.”

The exhibit traces Imperial Stock Ranch’s history from its founding in 1871, through the Carvers’ groundbreaking shift in 1999 from selling wool as a commodity to direct marketing textiles, and onward to the formation of Shaniko Wool Company. Today, Shaniko Wool Company brings together a network of family ranches across the American West to provide Responsible Wool Standard–certified wool to the global market at scale.

The opening event was a true celebration of community and creativity. Guests enjoyed live music by acclaimed western artist Joni Harms, a felted wool art exhibit by Kristina Foley, food and drink, and a screening of the trailer for the forthcoming documentary film on this story. One of the most meaningful highlights was seeing so many knitters, weavers, felters, designers, and makers who have worked with wool from the Carvers’ ranch since 1999 — their hands have carried this story forward.

We are grateful to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum for preserving and sharing this history, and to the many ranchers, makers, and partners who continue to shape the Shaniko Wool Company journey. A Sense of Place is now open to the public — we hope you’ll visit and experience it for yourself.