Innovative “Nature’s Window” is Portal for Learning About Conservation and the Diverse Wildlife of the World
information released, LakeChelanNow photos
Last fall, when local business man, Shannon Kollmeyer, offered a preview of his extensive taxidermy collection at the new Nature’s Window Museum, he and his wife Cris thought they had a winner. But, the soft opening in October was received with enthusiastic accolades.
Over the winter, final touches were made by specialists to create a unique soundtrack, install additional exhibits and unveil a vivid diorama regarding wildfires in the Pacific Northwest. What’s more, the facility was used by community groups, on school field trips and for hunter-safety education classes by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Now, the new museum is making its completed debut to the general public starting Wednesday, April 3.
Shannon and Cris Kollmeyer
The Chelan-based retirees proudly established Nature’s Window Museum of Wildlife, Natural History & Art, in their local community for a number of reasons. The mission of Nature’s Window is to serve as an education center for wildlife conservation and to increase knowledge and appreciation for the diverse wildlife of the world as well as to inform the public about the rôle art and wildlife management play in conserving these valuable resources.
“All of us at the museum engage our guests in the wonder of wildlife. It is the merger of science, technology, and art that tell the true story,” Kollmeyer remarked.
“What’s more,” said Kollmeyer, “our artistic dioramas are accurate reflections of animal habitats and are vital teaching tools of conservation. Viewers can learn about wildlife management part that the artists and ethical hunters play in preserving wild places and wild animals for future generations.”
It is a recognized fact, 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 Lake Chelan and the Columbia River Regions, captured visual examples of the relationship between early hunters in the area and native wildlife. The inaugural art show at Nature’s Window gallery features dramatic pictograph watercolors by the late Louis Adolph Kollmeyer, father of co-founder Shannon Kollmeyer.
“Preserving our wilderness and the natural world is more critical than ever. What’s more, it is a responsibility of all citizens,” Kollmeyer explained.
In the early Twentieth Century, President Theodore Roosevelt, along with other noted sportsmen, was instrumental in crafting the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. The policies this model established created the world’s most successful wildlife and habitat conservation program that has rescued hundreds of wildlife species from extinction.
More than most, the new wildlife museum brings nature indoors providing a sensory journey with unique sounds and sights that stimulate deep responses. Whether it is a howl of an Arctic wolf, bitter cold wind of central Alaska, or the honk of a Canada goose, nature’s soundtrack is recreated using the latest museum technology. Visitors are immediately immersed in nature, perhaps bringing back memories of their own adventures and the call of the wild.
It was Kollmeyer’s concept to bring together an exceptional group of specialists to help fulfill his mission. He succeeded in offering an exceptional, world-class museum facility for the Chelan community and the wider region to enjoy.
The initial collection of taxidermy species in Nature’s Window is provided by the Kollmeyers and other donors from Washington state and Arizona. As the collection matures, more examples of species will be added.
Starting in April, the museum also features an extensive Fire Ecology exhibit with a wide range of professional photos and explanations documenting the historical fire disturbances common in the Pacific Northwest. This exhibit was designed and installed by John Marshall from Wenatchee, WA.
Nature’s Window will be open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from April to October. It is especially good for private functions and special events as a meeting place, reception site, and as a venue for fund-raising events. As an education center, Nature’s Window has proven just right for hunter-safety lessons, scout meetings, sportsmen’s clubs, school field trips, art classes and archery at the facility’s range.
About Nature’s Window:
Lake Chelan Museum of Wildlife, Natural History & Art Gallery is located at 21285 Highway 97A, Chelan, WA 98816, north of the Knapp’s Hill Tunnel, approximately 10 minutes south of Chelan and 45 minutes north from Wenatchee, on Link Transit’s Route #52.
Contact: Telephone: 509-670-808, email: info@nwwildlife.com, or the museum website: natureswindowmuseum.com. Nature’s Window is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established with the IRS and the Washington Secretary of State. © 2024 All rights reserved.
