Kam Wah Chung and Company Museum, John Day

Whether you’re looking for staycation ideas this summer or just have a free afternoon, consider taking a local trip down history lane.

Grant County has several museums and historical groups, each offering a wealth of information and artifacts on our area’s rich past.

Here are the details for each – hours, location, admission costs and contact phone numbers.

• Kam Wah Chung and Company State Heritage Site, John Day, 541-575-2800. Hours at the interpretive center at 125 N.W. Canton St. are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The museum, across the street near John Day City Park, is open by guided tours only, led at the top of each hour. No admission fee at either, although donations are welcome. Open May 1-Oct. 31.

• Grant County Historical Museum, 101 S. Canyon City Blvd., Canyon City, 541-575-0362. Hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Admission: Adults, $4; Seniors over 62, $3; children ages 7-17, $2; children under 6, free. Open May 1-Sept. 30.

• Grant County Ranch and Rodeo Museum, 241 E. Main St., John Day. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday, or by appointment. Admission: Adults, $3, children under 12, free. Open May 1-Sept. 26.

• Sumpter Valley Railway Depot/DeWitt Museum, Bridge and Main streets, Prairie City, 541-820-3330. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, children under 12, free. Opens mid-May through mid-October.

• John Day Fossil Beds National Monument’s Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, State Route 19, one mile north of Highway 26, 541-987-2333. Summer hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is free; donations accepted. Open year-round.

• Grant County Genealogical Society Research Center, Parsonage building behind Historic Advent Church, 281 W. Main Street in John Day, 541-932-4718 or 541-575-2757. Hours are 1-4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, or by appointment. Open year-round.

• Long Creek Historical Society, Long Creek, 541-421-3621. Meets the fourth Friday of every month. The group plans to relocate the settlers fort built in 1878, and build an interpretive site and museum. Open year-round.