Welcome to Friends of Skamokawa’s River Life Interpretive Center! Housed in the historic Central Schoolhouse/Redmen Hall, a building over 120 years old, our center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Skamokawa and its vibrant river life.

At our center, visitors can explore a variety of historic photographs and engaging displays that bring the past to life. Our gift shop and bookstore offer unique items that celebrate the heritage of the region, making perfect souvenirs or gifts.

Join us for an enriching experience as you listen to our knowledgeable docents share captivating stories about the once-bustling river town of Skamokawa. For those seeking a breathtaking view, don’t miss the chance to climb the 88 steps to our bell tower, where you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Columbia River.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just curious about the area, we invite you to visit and discover the stories that shaped our community!

From the Wahkiakum County Chamber of Commerce Website: ​

Skamokawa was listed on the National Register as a National Historic District in 1976, as one of the few surviving examples of a small water-based community once common along the lower Columbia River. The village is spread out along a system of creeks and sloughs which drain three valleys and once formed the only transportation network. Before 1917 there were no roads, all transportation was by water: by sternwheeler, sailing vessel and fishing boat.

Skamokawa was sometimes referred to as “Little Venice.” Houses and other buildings were built facing the water, usually with a dock and boat, and were linked by boardwalks. People rowed to church, to mercantile establishments, or to visit friends or family in other parts of the community.

The earliest pioneers settled in the Skamokawa area in the 1860s, drawn from all over the world by abundant natural resources, such as timber and salmon, as well as by the opportunity to establish farms. Early settlers took out donation land claims, fished, and worked in logging camps in order to provide incomes for their families. The Bayview Cannery, established in 1873 about a mile down river from the town, provided a market for commercially caught salmon from the Columbia River.

By the period of the 1890s, Skamokawa would boast of a draw-bridge linking the island church to the rest of the community, several lumber and shake mills, a ship-yard connected with the Columbia River Lumber and Manufacturing Company, a newspaper, the Skamokawa Eagle, still in business today as the Wahkiakum County Eagle.  In 1894 the community built the Central School, today known as the Redmen Hall and containing the River Life Interpretive Center.

The Skamokawa Creamery Coop was a cornerstone of the community from 1898 to 1943, renowned for its high-quality butter, which earned numerous awards at state and regional fairs. Today, the site is home to the Skamokawa Resort.

Today, commercial fishing on the Columbia River, logging and small scale farming still provide the economic sustenance for the community, along with several tourist-oriented activities and business such as Kayaking, fishing, Canoeing, Biking, bed-and-breakfasts, camping at Vista Park, Redmen Hall museum, Skamokawa Resort, Skamokawa Inn and the Julia Butler Hanson Game Refuse, and several  Lewis and Clark Heritage sites.