Wasco County Historical Society and
the Rorick House

Mission Statement

"The Wasco County Historical Society actively promotes the heritage of Wasco County, through the maintenance of the 1850 Moody/Rorick House and the preservation and dissemination of the history of the county’s people, places and events.”

WCHS maintains the Rorick House and grounds as its headquarters, cares for the collections and opens the House to the public during the summer and for special events.

WCHS sponsors regular Field Trips and special events including the Docent’s Tea, Summer Picnic; an Annual membership meeting in November (the public is also invited to attend these annual meetings which consist of a dinner and guest speaker) and the Christmas Open House.

WCHS supports and participates in community celebrations such as Fort Dalles Days.

WCHS supports local preservation projects and facilitates the availability of accurate historical information.

WCHS publishes a Quarterly Newsletter featuring articles of local historic interest.

The Rorick House became the headquarters of the Wasco County Historical Society after Eck Rorick’s death in 1991. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Also known as the "Moody House," the Rorick House was built around 1850 by a non-commissioned Army officer. This is the oldest house in The Dalles. Although expanded, the house retains its authentic vernacular board-and-batten exterior. As part of the old Fort Dalles Miltary Reservation, the house served as the Sergeant's Quarters. Former Mayor of The Dalles and U.S. Congressman (1899 to 1903) Malcolm A. Moody owned the house from 1884 until his death in 1925. The house was donated in 1992 to the Wasco County Historical Society by Eck and Mae Rorick, who enlarged and enhanced the house and grounds over the sixty-one years of their residency.

Schools are invited to schedule a tour of the house and to bring brown bag lunches. This is an excellent opportunity for teachers to introduce the house to the younger members of the community to some of our local history. The Rorick House rooms are very small and it can be difficult to get too many visitors into the house at one time, so we suggest one classroom or organization at a time for group tours, or plan on staggered tours with one class in the gardens while another is inside. We try to have events where people can “drop in” during specific hours as a means of traffic control inside the house. Parking is on street. Our annual picnic with guest speaker is held outdoors. The house is sitting on three lots so the yard is very large.

The house is just as Eck Rorick left it when he entered the nursing home (except the room the WCHS uses as an “office”.) His wife Mae had passed away prior to his death. Everything on display, in the various cabinets, items in the kitchen are exactly as they were when the house was used as a residence.

Membership with Wasco County Historical Society

We ask you also to please consider becoming a member of Wasco County Historical Society, or if you are already a member, renewing your membership.

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS:

• $15.00 Individual
• $25.00 Family
• $40.00 Sustaining
• $100.00 Patron

Your membership benefits include:

• WCHS Quarterly newsletter
• “History Moment” talks
• Field trip discounts
• Summer picnic
• Annual meeting/program dinner discount
• Other special events

Your membership is important to help Wasco County Historical Society preserve our historic legacy.

Please mail membership dues or donations to:

Wasco County Historical Society
300 West 13th Street
The Dalles, OR 97058

Please include your phone number, mailing address and email address.

Wasco County Historical Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donations are tax-deductible.

For questions, please leave a message at: 541- 296-1867
http://www.historicthedalles.org/