47 years after construction of Goldendale Observatory, the first major renovation of this unique State Park is complete. A much larger and more advanced learning center now stands in complement to the iconic main observatory dome and the newly upgraded telescope within. Seating capacity has more than tripled in response to ballooning facility attendance.
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Architect Chris Patano, WA State Parks Commission Chair Mark Brown, Observatory Administrator Troy Carpenter, and WA State Governor Jay Inslee
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- FACILITY UPDATE 7/1/21:
Goldendale Observatory resumed normal operations after revision of COVID-19 restrictions in July of 2021. Please check the visit page for scheduling information. - FACILITY UPDATE 3/1/20:
Goldendale Observatory reopened on Friday, February 28th, 2020. - FACILITY UPDATE 1/28/20:
Final exhibit installation has been delayed. The facility remains closed at this time and will reopen permanently after completion of all interior work, which should occur in February 2020. No further partial or "soft" openings are planned. - FACILITY UPDATE 12/30/19:
Temporary "Soft Opening" of the New Goldendale Observatory has concluded. - FACILITY UPDATE 11/12/19:
"Soft Opening" of the New Goldendale Observatory continues for the remainder of 2019; advance notice for groups smaller than ten is no longer required. Regular operations are expected to resume in January of 2020. - FACILITY UPDATE 10/15/19:
A "Soft Opening" of the new Goldendale Observatory is now underway. For the remainder of 2019, appointments for visits on specific dates and times are being accepted. Operating dates include the weekend prior to the Nov 11th Mercury Transit, the weekend after Thanksgiving, and the weekend after Christmas. Regular facility operations are expected to resume in 2020. - FACILITY UPDATE 9/30/19:
Temporary off-site observatory operations have ended. No on or off-site observatory programs are anticipated for the month of October 2019 as we prepare to reopen our new facility. - FACILITY UPDATE 6/21/19:
The new Goldendale Observatory building is complete! Parking lot construction and interior finishing work is now underway. A "soft open" is tentatively anticipated for Autumn of 2019; operating hours are subject to change during return of parks staff and equipment. - FACILITY UPDATE 3/15/19:
Construction of the main building is nearing completion; work begins soon on the campus grounds and spacious new parking lot. Observatory reopen target date currently set for Autumn 2019. - FACILITY UPDATE 10/29/18:
Construction of the new Goldendale Observatory is well underway. Observatory educational programs will continue at the Maryhill Stonehenge Campus and Visitor Center until project completion. - FACILITY UPDATE 10/2/18:
Goldendale Observatory has been demolished. Construction on the new facility begins very soon. - FACILITY UPDATE 4/8/18:
Observatory presentations have resumed at the nearby Stonehenge campus and will continue there until capital project completion. - FACILITY UPDATE 2/22/18:
Goldendale Observatory will close for demolition in March of 2018. The main telescope dome will remain intact but closed to the public until project completion in mid-2019. - FACILITY UPDATE 2/2/18:
A Washington State Capital Project budget has been passed. All phases of the observatory upgrade may now continue. Anticipated project completion; Summer 2019.