I usually never leave reviews because I've had no reason to, but my experience at this museum is something I'll never forget because of how my family and I were treated.
We are outsiders and came to Forks to visit the Chamber of Commerce only. At this center, we were told about this specific museum and the time it closes. No more information. The man highlighted the location of the museum on a tour map he gave to us, told us they closed at 4:00, and we were off to explore.
Well, we arrived to look at the museum and nobody was outside. No sign on the door stating they were closed, no one outside telling us they were closed — aside from a lady speaking on the phone — nothing. It was 3:35, we were told it closes at 4:00 PM. So, imagine my surprise when we tried to look for an associate and someone came from behind me, and in front of my mother, telling us they were closed and to exit the building. The First Lady, who was outside, approached my family and me to tell us that they closed EARLY. She said, "We closed early today because we had no visitors." Then she explained that she'd ask another worker inside if we could at least take a peek. We weren't expecting a straight 'Yes,' as we understood it was closed, but we also weren't expecting the attitude we got from one of the women who works there.
I was able to record some of the interaction, as she approached us with clear anger and hostility, immediately making everyone in my family uncomfortable. Still, we told her our situation. To which she met with doubt and hesitation. We told her the man told us about this museum, we had no idea WHAT the museum was called, only the description of what it looked like, and she told us "I doubt he told you that because he knows we close at 4:00PM and the last group came at 3:45. If you had been here at 3:30PM, you would've gotten out at 4:00PM. Which is when we close." Fine, that's fine, it's understandable, but what was unnerving is that she didn't believe what we were told. And the excuses we were given. When my mother tried to explain what we were told, the woman said a man's name, my mother replied "I don't know what his name is," and the worker immediately said, "Well he's the only man there." She also claimed the "museum" and the people at the chamber of commerce work together, which is why he would've "never" told us they close at 4:00PM and to visit the area.
So I asked why he wouldn't tell us that the last tour is at 3:30PM if they work together, she said "He probably didn't tell you because we were already closed!" So which is it? Did you close early? Or was the last tour at 3:30PM? 3:45PM? You don't expect your partner company to tell visitors pertinent information? People who clearly weren't aware of your museum until 40 minutes before "closing."?
Genuinely baffled by the way we were treated. And the cherry on top was the associate flipping the situation onto us, by claiming "This is why tourists have to look at the website." As if that alone explained any of what we were told.
You don't get to be rude to people who don't know about your business and expect them to accept it. Your museum is alive because of tourism, not the other way around. Airing out your frustrations on outsiders doesn't help keep your company alive. DO BETTER.
Edit: I've inserted the ONLY signs we saw outside. These photos were taken as we were entering the premises. So, no, there were no signs stating the museum was actively closed, but on the contrary.