Central Oregon’s iconic museum is offering free admission on Saturday, Jan. 25, thanks to a sponsorship by Mid Oregon Credit Union.

“Mid Oregon Family Free Day” is a rare opportunity to enjoy the amazing wildlife, artful exhibits and meaningful history of the High Desert Museum at no cost, according to John Ferguson of the museum's staff .

This is always a very fun and busy day for us, noted Dana Whitelaw, the museum's vice president of programs. Expect wildlife talks to be running continually throughout the day, exhibit tours, hands-on activities for kids and many interesting historic characters to meet.

Also featured are two new exhibits, Woven With Tradition: Plateau Indian Bags and Frontier Firearms: Stories of Survival and Defense.

Initially made to carry food gathered during seasonal travel, the Plains Indian bags are an art form, employing thousands of years of tradition, geometric patterns and intricate bead work. The exhibit is offered through support from James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation of Portland.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day, including the Rimrock Cafe and Silver Sage Trading Store. (Normal winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through April 30.)

Note that parking is limited and fills up on free admission days.

Free shuttle rides are offered from the Morning Star Christian School parking lot, 19741 Baker Road, to the museum and back all day. See the website for details.