The rodeo museum is officially named the Lake County Round-up Past Presidents Ed Garrett Museum. Ed Garrett, who passed away on Oct. 3, 1991, was president of the 1964 Round-up and was the Grand Marshal in 1991. Each year's president and court are remembered with plaques and information on the walls of the museum.
The idea for the museum started at a monthly Round-up Association meeting. Through discussions it was acknowledged that the group was lacking for a monthly meeting place and that photographs documenting the annual rodeo were probably being discarded since there was no place to display them. The past presidents took on the project and started developing the idea. The committee consisted of Marvin "Tuffy" Butler, Don Hotchkiss, Bill Messner, George Iremonger, and John Flynn. The next step was searching for financing for the project.
After Ed Garrett's passing, his family started a memorial fund in his honor. At first they weren't certain what the monies would go for. Then they heard about the museum. The Ed Garrett Memorial fund and the Garrett family donated $5,000, matching a donation made by the Round-up's past presidents.
Other donations made to get the museum started included $5,000 from Truman Collins and $4,000 from the Oregon Trails matching grant. The original building was paid for before it opened.
The hardest part was collecting the photos of the Round-up queens and princesses, a process that took about two years to complete. Hats, chaps, saddles and Round-up queen's outfits are among the displays. The number of photographs being displayed has reached the point where an addition is needed. There are plans but no funding at the present time.
The museum was officially dedicated and opened in the spring of 1993 in conjunction with the Oregon Trails kick-off.
The museum is located on the west side of the Lake County Fairgrounds. During the 3 days of the Round-Up and Fair each year, it is open to the public and staffed by volunteers. It is open by appointment only the remainder of the year (contact John Flynn - 541-947-4534). There is no admission charge but contributions to help maintain and continue the museum may be sent to John Flynn, 424 So. H St., Lakeview, OR 97630.