ðə mjuːzˈiəm wʌz ɚɹˈɪdʒɪnəli kˈɔːld ðɪ ˈɔːɹɪɡən hˈaɪ dˈɛzɚt mjuːzˈiəm; haʊˈɛvɚ, ðə nˈeɪm wʌz lˈeɪɾɚ tʃˈeɪndʒd tə ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz ðə ɹˈiːdʒənəl nˈeɪtʃɚɹ ʌvðə hˈaɪ dˈɛzɚt ɛnvˈaɪɹənmənt ɪt hˈaɪlaɪts.
The museum was originally called the Oregon High Desert Museum; however, the name was later changed to recognize the regional nature of the high desert environment it highlights.