REACH Museum

Since opening in 2014, the REACH has become a dedicated institution promoting education for all ages. Exhibits, educational programs, and seasonal tours bring stories of the region to life. Gallery I highlights the Hanford Reach National Monument with an emphasis on the Ice Age floods that shaped this region, the Columbia River, and native plants and animals. There are numerous artifacts on permanent display including drawers of petrified wood, fossils, and basalt samples. Gallery II presents the Manhattan Project- codename for the secret atomic weapons project- and the special role Hanford Engineering Works played in WWII and the Cold War that followed. The Hoch Gallery features rotating displays focused on relevant stories about the community and its history and heritage. The Land Irrigated is a media-based exhibit located in the Grand Hall that illustrates how Washington feeds the world through irrigated agriculture. In addition to exhibits, there are numerous educational programs held throughout the year for learners of all ages. Little Explorers, STEAM Family Fun Workshops and special events all encourage families “Discover the REACH” through hands-on activities, singing, and story time. The REACH Tour Program enhances the museum experience by taking visitors offsite to see and explore Eastern Washington in greater depth. Most tours focus on the Ice Age floods, hiking, geology, or agriculture. Visitors can even ride in a 1954 GMC bus to view and learn about the Alphabet Houses of Richland. Come for a visit and see why the REACH is an indispensable educational center and premier cultural destination that serves as a springboard for experiment engagement throughout the Mid-Columbia River Basin.