Discover Pasco: Aviation History and Culture

Pasco can be explored through several distinct themes: the history of a major U.S. Navy base from World War II, regional exhibits, the cultural history of the Columbia Plateau, and activities on the water. Locally grown fruits and vegetables add another distinctive touch. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether you are most interested in aviation and regional history, cultural offerings, or riverside recreation.

Museums: Aviation and Regional History

The Pasco Aviation Museum preserves the legacy of a major U.S. Navy base from World War II and is housed in the historic Navy Control Tower Building in Pasco. Its focus is therefore aviation history and the legacy of the U.S. Navy base. The museum is open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; check opening hours before your visit.

The Franklin County Historical Society & Museum is also located in Downtown Pasco, in a historic former Carnegie library building that originally opened in 1911.

The Franklin County Historical Museum’s exhibits include artifacts from Indigenous peoples and information about Lewis & Clark’s Corps of Discovery. Other topics include railroad development, agriculture and irrigation, local ferries and bridges, aviation, and healthcare. This helps narrow down your choice of exhibit: the Pasco Aviation Museum focuses on aviation and the Navy’s legacy, while the Franklin County Historical Museum offers a broader mix, from cultural and expedition topics to transportation, agriculture, and healthcare.

The Franklin County Historical Society & Museum regularly offers public programs, including traveling exhibits, virtual field trips, and outreach programs. Each format has a different focus: traveling exhibits bring exhibition topics to changing locations, virtual field trips make content accessible digitally, and outreach programs take the offerings outdoors. If you are planning to attend a specific program, check the dates in advance.

Culture and Activities on the Water

Sacajawea State Park is located at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake rivers; its grounds mark the site where the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped. The Sacajawea Interpretive Center presents the cultural history of the Columbia Plateau. The park is also home to “Story Circles,” an art installation by renowned artist Maya Lin that honors the traditions and culture of the people of the Columbia Plateau. The two cultural offerings also differ in form: the Interpretive Center presents cultural history, while “Story Circles” honors traditions and culture through an art installation. At Sacajawea State Park, cultural history and art go hand in hand with activities on the water: you can launch motorized and non-motorized watercraft, fish from the shore, or observe wildlife.

The Sacagawea Heritage Trail runs along the Columbia River through Pasco. Its river setting differs from that of Sacajawea State Park, where the park grounds are located at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Market and Local Produce

The Pasco Farmers Market has been operating since 1988. It offers freshly harvested, locally grown fruits and vegetables. The market adds a culinary perspective on Pasco to its history- and river-related themes, making it a distinctive focus if local produce is among your travel interests.

Discover more destinations: West Pasco, Connell.

For the broader travel overview: Franklin County.