BEND, Ore.- The Deschutes Historical Museum has announced its return of Escape the Museum: The Curse of the Curate’s Collection, an escape room experience based on real local history. Up to six players team up working together to solve puzzles, follow the clues, and uncover the whereabouts of the Curate’s collection. Assisting historian A.R.

Chive, your team of research interns are tasked to locate a collection of missing 19th century artifacts before your rivals do…Tick-Tock… you only have 60 minutes, so every second is crucial to your escape!

The Real Story:

In 1909, The Bend Bulletin reported that Rev. J. A. Mitchell, local curate and acquirer of antiquities, was “collecting towards a museum” for the community of Bend. After his death in 1911, Mitchell’s relics and curios were frequently exhibited around town, eventually finding a permanent home at the Deschutes Public Library. However, in 1969, the few remaining items in the collection mysteriously disappeared from a small, locked room in the library’s basement. The only remnants of the once-noted collection, purchased by the public and the City of Bend in 1912 for the formation of a museum, were never found. UNTIL NOW!

The Curse of the Curate’s Collection escape room program kicks off October 2 and 3. This year the museum has increased the fun to five weekends and includes 60 one-hour slots of history mystery throughout the month of October. Tickets go on sale, September 15 and are available online via www.deschuteshistory.org or Eventbrite.

A fundraiser and membership drive, Escape the Museum, is sold as an immersive adventure for teams of six people. Escape the Museum costs non-members $180*/ hour session, and for Museum members, $150*/hour session. As a bonus, each non-member purchase receives one free household membership.

Grab your friends and family, form a team, and get ready to uncover the location of Rev. Mitchell’s collection.

For more information go to deschuteshistory.org or call 541-389-1813.

*Ticket fees will be applied

Put Some History In Your Future

The Deschutes Historical Museum explores the history, culture and heritage of the people of Deschutes County, from prehistory to today. The Museum is located at 129 NW Idaho, Bend, and is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors, and children 17 years and younger are free.

Call 541-389-1813 for information or visit www.deschuteshistory.org.

Old Miil District Marketing Director Beau Eastes is a big fan of the museum and shared:

"In July, they launched a History Bricks contest in which the public was invited to build historic Bend buildings – past and present – out of Legos. The museum also brought to life the Holiday Gelatin Salad Show in 2024, highlighting old family Jell-O recipes. And their annual Creepy Doll Contest is terrifying. And hilarious. And not to be missed."

"All that to say, executive director Kelly Cannon-Miller and her team are doing some super fun, highly entertaining, and wildly creative things at their space in downtown Bend," Eastes said.