By TERRY J. LABRU, APR
LaBrue Communications
CHELAN — Last fall, when local businessman Shannon Kollmeier offered a preview of his extensive taxidermy collection at the new Nature’s Window Museum, he and his wife, Chris, decided they had a winner. But the soft opening in October was met with an enthusiastically positive response.
During the winter, the museum was given final touches by specialists. A unique soundtrack was put on, additional exhibits were installed, and a vivid diorama of wildfires in the Pacific Northwest was revealed. Now the new museum is making its completed spring debut to the general public. The facility has been used by community groups, school field trips and hunter safety education classes sponsored by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The Chelan-based retirees proudly created the Nature’s Window Museum of Wildlife, Natural History and Art in their local community for a number of reasons. “The museum’s mission serves as an educational center for wildlife conservation and to increase knowledge and appreciation of the world’s diverse wildlife, as well as to inform the public about the role of art and wildlife management in conserving these valuable resources.”
“All of us at the museum engage our guests with the wonder of wildlife. It is the confluence of science, technology and art that tells the real story,” noted Kohlmeier. “What’s more, our artistic dioramas are accurate representations of the animals’ habitats, which are vital conservation teaching tools.” Visitors can learn about wildlife management and how talented artists and ethical hunters are working to preserve wild places and wildlife for future generations.”
It is a recognized fact that humans have been hunters since the beginning of time.
Pictographs, petroglyphs and other artifacts around the world document the dependence on animals for their survival. Locally, a wide range of pictographs in central Washington, including the Lake Chelan and Columbia River regions, captured visual examples of the relationship between the area’s early hunters and local wildlife. The inaugural art show at Nature’s Window Gallery features dramatic pictograph watercolors by the late Louis Adolph Kohlmeier, father of co-founder Shannon Kohlmeier.
“Conserving our wilderness and the natural world around us is more important than ever. Moreover, it is the responsibility of all citizens,” Kohlmeier explained.
In the early twentieth century, President Theodore Roosevelt, along with other famous sportsmen, were instrumental in crafting the North American model of wildlife conservation. The policies established by this model have created the world’s most successful wildlife and habitat conservation program, which has saved hundreds of wildlife species from extinction.
More than most, the new wildlife museum brings the living world indoors, providing a sensory journey with unique sounds and sights that stimulate profound responses. Whether it’s the howl of an arctic wolf, the sound of wind in central Alaska, or the honk of a Canada goose, nature’s soundtrack is recreated using the latest museum technology. Visitors are instantly immersed in nature, perhaps conjuring memories of adventure and the call of the wild.
Kohlmeier’s concept was to assemble an exceptional group of specialists to help carry out his mission. He was able to offer an outstanding, world-class museum facility for the Chelan community to enjoy. The original collection of taxidermy species in Nature‘The window was provided by the Kollmeier family and other donors from Washington State and Arizona. More examples will be added as the collection grows.
Starting now, the museum also has an extensive fire ecology exhibit with a wide range of professional photographs and explanations documenting the historical fire disturbances common in the Pacific Northwest. This exhibit was designed and installed by John Marshall of Wenatchee.
Nature’s Window is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from April through October. It is particularly good for private functions and special events as a meeting place, reception venue and as a venue for fundraising events. As an educational center, Nature’s Window has proven to be suitable for hunter safety classes, scout meetings, sportsmen’s clubs, school trips and art classes.
About Nature’s Window:
The Lake Chelan Museum of Wildlife, Natural History and Art Gallery is located at 21285 Highway 97A, Chelan, WA 98816, just north of the Knapp’s Hill Tunnel, approximately 10 minutes south of Chelan and 45 minutes north of Wenatchee, on Link Route #52 Transit.
