Dear Friends,

Welcome!

What you see here in our new Museum is the culmination of a dream that began some 
20 years ago when I became interested in the ancient and modern cultures of our 
"First Americans".
These people, to my way of thinking, invented the noun "ingenuity"- my definition being 
"doing with what you've got"! It is interesting to see what each geographically located 
groups of peoples did with what was available, be it on land or water.
With the "advantages" of modern civilization, it is no longer necessary to hunt food or 
clothing, or to spend long hours gathering materials and weaving baskets. Sad, but true,
much of what you see here is already a lost art. Every year, these treasures become lost 
to our future generations by fire, flood, neglect and time itself.
With this museum, a part of their culture will be preserved- for your children and mine. 
This is my promise.
Marylee Thompson
MARCH 10, 1968
On the opening of the 
End of the Trail Museum.

The museum is organized into six rooms of specific interest. The entrance and gallery is devoted to 
a collection of baby carriers from all over. Also on display here are many of the animals used by the
tribes for food and raw materials for crafts, clothing and shelter. 

The other five rooms in the museum are organized by geographic area, rather than tribal affiliation.
Extensive labelling and informative placards guide you through the detailed and informative exhibits. 

This is a lovingly maintained museum, and there is no charge for entry. This is our gift to the touring 
public who have made us what we are. The museum is entirely supported by profits from the Trees
of Mystery. Browse on a bit further to sample some of the amazing and interesting crafts and wares 
of the first Americans.
 

(click the images for the BIG picture. Use
back arrow of your browser to return here.)

This is the Local Room. This room is dedicated to the local Yurok, Karok 
and Tolowa tribes. Many, many fine examples of basketry, bead work
and shell work can be found here, as the local peoples were exceptional crafters.

Above is the Southwest Room. These peoples were masters at ekeing out a living
from the austere Southwestern deserts. On display are baskets, tools, beadwork and
a modern stone carving. Among the highlights of this display area are the intricate 
and varied Kachinas.

The Northwest Room is lined with the cedar that these tribes found so many uses for.
In almost every part of their lives, cedar was present as implements, storage boxes, lodges
and longhouses, and even whaling boats.

The Plains Room is a tribute to those many nomad tribes of the plains, all 
who made extensive use of the animals they lived with. A common thread
throughout is "portability" of there goods, as these tribes were constantly 
on the move following the game as the game in turned followed the grass.
Weight, durability, handiness, and beauty are a few of the attributes found
in most of their crafts.

California and the Great Basin. These tribes were located between the Rockies and the Sierra 
Nevadas, an area which included the eastern arid borders of California and was known as the 
Great Basin. Due to the sparseness of this area, most of the waking hours of the inhabitants were 
spent in the search for food. Acorns, grubs, various insects, edible berries and any small game 
were all part of the diet. This preoccupation with food gathering is reflected in the many baskets 
used by these peoples. Baskets were used for everything from storage to hats, from cooking pots 
to eating bowls. The patterns and weaving are both intricate and varied on the basketry in this 
extensive collection.
Also in this room is a major display of many Edward Sheriff Curtis "Gold Tones". Edward 
Sheriff Curtis (1868-1952) spent 30 years traveling and photographing our "First Americans" 
before they became too exposed to the steadily advancing white culture. Traveling by mule, 
wagon and horse, Curtis was in turn courageous and courteous in winning the confidence and 
cooperation of his Indian photography subjects.
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt, believing in the historic importance of his work, 
introduced Curtis to J.P. Morgan who gave $75,000 to further the project. Curtis did us all
a great service through his quest. A culture that was quickly vanishing was preserved, in part,
for the future through his industrious and brave venture.

For a free info packet on the Trees of Mystery, please fill out our request form.

Trees of Mystery
15500 Highway 101 N.
Klamath,CA.
95548
1-800-638-3389
1-707-482-2251

FAX 1-707-482-2005