The Kittitas County Historical Museum (E. 3rd and Pine Streets, 509/925-3778, $1) has Native American artifacts and displays of pioneer tools, photographs of early Ellensburg [1], and an impressive collection of petrified wood and gemstones. Open Tuesday–Saturday; hours vary.
The Clymer Museum (416 N. Pearl, 509/962-6416, www.clymermuseum.com [2], 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., noon–5 p.m. Sat.–Sun., donations accepted) honors John Ford Clymer, who was born in Ellensburg in 1907 and went on to fame for his nature illustrations and carefully researched paintings of the Old West, published in the Saturday Evening Post. At the museum, you can watch a video on Clymer’s life and view dozens of his cover art designs, along with a number of his Western paintings.
A separate gallery here exhibits changing displays of contemporary artwork, and a gift shop has local crafts and books.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/columbia-gorge-and-wine-country/ellensburg
[2] http://www.clymermuseum.com