The Maryhill Museum of Art in Goldendale, Washington, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its dedication by Queen Marie of Romania. Founded by entrepreneur Samuel Hill in 1907, the museum houses an eclectic collection including over 80 works by Auguste Rodin, French haute couture fashions, and thousands of Indigenous art objects. To mark the centennial, the museum has opened three new exhibitions highlighting Queen Marie's contributions: Russian icons, Romanian embroidery, and folk pottery, alongside her personal items like coronation gowns and gilded furniture.
This milestone matters because it underscores the museum's unique historical ties to European royalty and its role as a cultural repository in a remote Pacific Northwest setting. The centennial exhibitions not only celebrate Queen Marie's legacy but also expand the museum's devotional arts collection and highlight traditional Romanian crafts. With annual attendance of up to 25,000 visitors, the anniversary is expected to draw even more attention to this lesser-known institution, reinforcing its significance in regional and international art history.