Columbia River Maritime Museum

Columbia River Maritime Museum The Columbia River Maritime Museum, located in Astoria, Oregon, is one of the finest U. S. maritime museums.
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Six galleries, the Brix Maritime Hall, and the Lightship Columbia interpret the Pacific Northwest’s rich maritime history.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCY UPDATEfrom Columbia River Maritime Museum!We are excited to introduce our first Artist-in-Residence ...
06/02/2026

ARTIST IN RESIDENCY UPDATE
from Columbia River Maritime Museum!

We are excited to introduce our first Artist-in-Residence at CRMM, who will be joining us this July as part of the Transformation Artist Residency to explore growth and change through maritime heritage.

Terenia Fick grew up in Astoria in the 1980s and ‘90s, surrounded and supported by the incredible beauty and community of that time and place. After studying and traveling, Terenia returned to Astoria and the wonderful sense of connection and home that this town holds. She lives here with her amazing family, where she loves so many things… including being outside in all the weather, and diving deep into ideas at the intersection of art, ecology, and education.

This project is funded in part by the Oregon Cultural Trust and Clatsop County Cultural Coalition; The Roundhouse Foundation; Oregon Community Foundation; and Northwest Oregon Works.

It’s MINIBOAT MONDAY at the Columbia River Maritime Museum!Join us each Monday as we look back at the Museum’s incredibl...
06/01/2026

It’s MINIBOAT MONDAY at the Columbia River Maritime Museum!

Join us each Monday as we look back at the Museum’s incredible Miniboat Program and the stories that have shaped it.

Another Miniboat partnership between American and Japanese students is M/B Tanesashi Maru. This miniboat was assembled by Otto Peterson Elementary School students and finished by Tanesashi Elementary School students. It was launched alongside a few others about 20 kilometers off the coast of Japan. This particular vessel nearly immediately lost its keel, was recovered, and relaunched the next month.

Educational Passages

Was this your boat? We want to hear from you!
https://us10.list-manage.com/survey?u=d0e8feb20a980ac4dbc6c1de8&id=5dd393cf8f&attribution=false

Continue to make CRMM's Miniboat Program free to schools by donating here: https://www.crmm.org/joingive.html

The David Campbell Fireboat is coming to the Columbia River Maritime Museum as a permanent exhibit late this summer. On...
05/29/2026

The David Campbell Fireboat is coming to the Columbia River Maritime Museum as a permanent exhibit late this summer. Once you’ve viewed the exhibit, stop by the library for more information on David Campbell and fireboats in general. One excellent new addition to our collection is "American fire boats: the history of waterborne firefighting and rescue in America", by Wayne Mutza. David Campbell is profiled in the section on the Pacific Northwest.

As the title suggests, it covers the history of fire and rescue boats in the U.S., complete with general background information as well as profiles and photos of individual vessels.

And it’s a long, fascinating history: on New York City’s waterfront wooden boats were adding hand pumpers by the end of the 1700’s, followed by steam pumpers by the early 1800’s as steam power developed. Mid-nineteenth-century fireboats, called fire tugs, were typically modeled on steam-powered tugboats and some tugboats were even converted to fireboats.

By the early 1900’s fireboats were powered by internal combustion engines until the more cost-effective diesel-electric engine was refined in the 1930’s. Although fire boat usage started to decline in the 1950’s, with ongoing improvements in propulsion systems and general technology many vessels are still in use in firefighting, rescues, and emergency responses.

Visiting the library - the library is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 5:00. You can make an appointment by emailing Marcy Dunning, our librarian, at [email protected]. You can also access the catalog on the main CRMM page by selecting the Reference Library link at top of the page.

Because this is a research library, the material doesn’t check out, but Marcy is always happy to set up appointments and to pull items for you to review here. We can make copies for you or provide digital copies for a nominal fee.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum Education Department recently partnered with Northwest STEMHub to present the inaugur...
05/28/2026

The Columbia River Maritime Museum Education Department recently partnered with Northwest STEMHub to present the inaugural Maritime Career Exploration Day.

The event welcomed six industry partners and students from four middle schools for two hours of hands-on activities highlighting careers in the maritime industry.

Students engaged with professionals from the Columbia River Bar Pilots, Oregon Sea Grant, OSU Seafood Lab, Clatsop Community College’s MERTS Campus, U.S. Coast Guard ELM, and Shaver Transportation. Through interactive experiences and gallery exploration, students made meaningful connections between maritime careers and the Museum’s exhibits.

More than half of participating students reported increased interest in pursuing a career in the maritime industry after attending the program. The Museum hopes to continue the program annually and expand opportunities to reach even more youth in the future.

Participating schools in this inaugural year included Knappa Middle School, Astoria Middle School, Seaside Middle School, and the Steadfast Homeschooling Co-op.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is committed to making its collections, buildings, programs, and services accessible ...
05/27/2026

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is committed to making its collections, buildings, programs, and services accessible to all visitors.

Here are 6 things to know about accessibility at the Museum:

Discounted Admission Programs – The Museum offers a variety of programs that allow visitors discounted admission.

Free Library Memberships – We provide 26 regional libraries with FREE Crew/Family memberships for check-out by their patrons.

Complimentary Companion Tickets – Available for professional aides who assist or support any person with a disability while visiting the Museum.

Easy Access and Parking – Accessible parking spaces are located just outside the main entrance with a direct, flat, and unobstructed path to the Museum.

Service Dogs Welcome – Trained service dogs are welcome in all public areas of the Museum.

Spanish Audio Tour of Brix Maritime Hall and Coast Guard Rescue Missions Galleries - audio and written guides are available.

Plus, we offer wheelchairs and rollators free of charge at the Admissions Desk, downloadable Social Narrative and Verbal Communication Cards on our website, and a Comfort Cart stocked with items to enhance your visit — magnifiers, EnChroma colorblindness glasses, large print guides, sensory backpacks, and Sunflower Hidden Disabilities items.

Explore all our accessibility offerings: https://www.crmm.org/accessibility.html

Did you know the Columbia River Maritime Museum offers adult clubs that meet regularly at the Barbey Maritime Center, lo...
05/26/2026

Did you know the Columbia River Maritime Museum offers adult clubs that meet regularly at the Barbey Maritime Center, located on the east end of the Museum's campus? Stop by in June and check them out!

Carving Club
Thursdays 9:00AM- 12:00No0n
June 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2026

Rug Hooking Club
Wednesdays 9:00AM - 12:00Noon
June 10 and 24, 2026

Learn more about each club and how to join on our website: https://www.crmm.org/adult-clubs.html

Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, meet new people, or simply enjoy a creative outlet, these welcoming groups are a wonderful way engage with your maritime heritage.

No registration required for Carving (max 12 carvers) or Rug Hooking (max 12 rug hookers) clubs - first come, first served.

It’s MINIBOAT MONDAY at the Columbia River Maritime Museum!Join us each Monday as we look back at the Museum’s incredibl...
05/25/2026

It’s MINIBOAT MONDAY at the Columbia River Maritime Museum!

Join us each Monday as we look back at the Museum’s incredible Miniboat Program and the stories that have shaped it.

Assembled by Scappoose students, M/B Red, White, and Blue Crew was launched off the Columbia River. It made its way to Sitka, Alaska, where U.S. Coast Guard members helped coordinate a retrieval (by helicopter!). It was then relaunched by Blatchley Middle School students. Ultimately it wrecked on Cook Island and was returned to the museum where it is now used in the first visit of each Miniboat Host Classroom.

Educational Passages

Was this your boat? We want to hear from you!
https://us10.list-manage.com/survey?u=d0e8feb20a980ac4dbc6c1de8&id=5dd393cf8f&attribution=false

Continue to make CRMM's Miniboat Program free to schools by donating here: https://www.crmm.org/joingive.html

We pause today to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the service of our nation. In the Museum's Naval Gallery,...
05/25/2026

We pause today to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the service of our nation. In the Museum's Naval Gallery, we dedicate an exhibit to the 234 crewmembers of the USS Astoria (CA-34) who were killed when the heavy cruiser was sunk after sustaining at least 65 direct hits during the Battle of Savo Island in the pre-dawn hours of 9 August, 1942.

In the Brix Maritime Hall, the Museum commemorates the five Coast Guard crewmembers who lost their lives when swept overboard from the 52 foot wooden-hulled Triumph, which capsized and was lost on the Columbia River Bar during a night rescue attempt in a gale on January 12, 1961.

“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

MARK YOUR CALENDARUPCOMING ADULT LECTUREShips Named 'Astoria'Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 11:00AM – 12:00NooonFord Room, Colum...
05/22/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
UPCOMING ADULT LECTURE
Ships Named 'Astoria'
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 11:00AM – 12:00Nooon
Ford Room, Columbia River Maritime Museum
1792 Marine Drive, Astoria, OR

CRMM Education Director Katy Menne will feature stories and images of four vessels named USS 'Astoria'. She will track their movements and histories, with each new vessel bringing us closer to the present day and concluding with non-military vessels bearing the name 'Astoria'.

Visit the U.S. Naval History gallery following the lecture to see items on display from two of the featured vessels.

Lecture included with Museum Admission - MEMBERS are FREE!
Seating for up to 50, first come first served.

Model Boat Pond Season Returns for 2026! Starting Saturday, May 23, 2026, the Warnock Commons & Model Boat Pond at the C...
05/21/2026

Model Boat Pond Season Returns for 2026!

Starting Saturday, May 23, 2026, the Warnock Commons & Model Boat Pond at the Columbia River Maritime Museum comes alive for another exciting sailing season!

Join us every Saturday from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM through September 5, 2026, for R/C sailboat rentals and hands-on fun on the water. Learn the basics of sailing, practice your skills, and enjoy the Museum’s beautiful outdoor campus. Suggested donation: $5.

Can’t make it on a Saturday? The Boat Pond is always open to the public! Bring your own boat and sail anytime.

Grab your crew and meet us at the pond this season — we can’t wait to see you on the water!

2042 Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon (east end of the Museum's campus)
No Museum Admission required to sail with us!

Address

1792 Marine Drive
Astoria, OR
97103

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

(503) 325-2323

Website

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