News from friends of Vista House
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Welcome
Starting on April 18th: Vista House will be open from 9am – 6pm daily starting April 18th ( That includes the coffee shop and gift shop so come on in and say hello! ) Starting October 6th through November 2nd: Vista House will be open from 10am – 4pm daily. Beginning November 3rd:  Vista House will be open only on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. You may call the Vista House site number (503) 695-2240 on those days to check if we are open.
About Us
The Vista House was built in 1917 on one of the most beautiful scenic points on the Historic Columbia River Highway, as place for travelers to rest and refresh themselves as they made their way down the magnificent Columbia River Gorge. Friends of Vista House is a non profit group in partnership with Oregon State Parks who work to help preserve and share the story of this beautiful historic Oregon structure.  Our volunteers provide visitors with regional and interpretive information to help make their visit a valuable experience.
Information about the educational exhibits and displays relating to the building is available. Our volunteers provide special building tours and talks to school, civic and tour groups.  Visitors learn about the architecture and the building, the Historic Columbia River Highway, the Columbia River Gorge, local history, the geology, flora, and fauna of the region, and about the many wonderful attractions along the Highway and throughout the Gorge.
Our Friends of Vista House Gift Gallery offers visitors high quality regional artwork and local gift items and is open throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Our Espresso bar serves refreshments and snacks for travelers and is open year round (winter weekends, weather permitting). 
Some Vista House History
Vista House was built between 1916-1918 by Multnomah County as a comfort station and scenic wayside for those traveling on the Historic Columbia River Highway, which had been completed in 1913. It is also a memorial to Oregon pioneers. It was formally dedicated on May 5th, 1918.
The graceful octagonal stone structure towers 733 feet above the Columbia River, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in the National Geographic Society’s 2001 “Save America’s Treasures” book.
Vista House was closed for almost 5 years while an extensive restoration was completed, and was reopened to the public in the summer of 2005 and formally rededicated May 5, 2006. The fundraising goal of over $4 million was completed in 2003 by joint efforts of Oregon State Parks Trust, The Friends of Vista House, and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
The Friends of Vista