Columbia River Maritime Museum - Astoria, Oregon

The Columbia River Maritime Museum: A Deep Dive into Coastal History

The Columbia River Maritime Museum, located at 1792 Marine Dr, Astoria, OR 97103, stands as a remarkable testament to the rich maritime heritage of the Pacific Northwest. With a phone number of 5033252323 and a comprehensive website at crmm.org, this institution offers a compelling and immersive experience for visitors of all ages. It is classified as a Museum and a popular Tourist attraction, drawing significant interest from both locals and tourists alike.

Museum Overview and Key Features

The museum’s primary focus is the history of the Columbia River and the surrounding coastal waters. It meticulously chronicles the challenges and triumphs of those who have navigated these waters, including commercial fishermen, steamboat pilots, and private mariners. The museum houses a diverse collection of exhibits, ranging from detailed models of historic vessels to interactive displays that explain complex maritime concepts. A significant portion of the museum’s appeal lies in its centerpiece: the Willard F. and Louise Chace Bushhorn, a historic tugboat meticulously restored and accessible for guided tours. Visitors can explore the vessel’s interior, gaining a tangible understanding of the conditions faced by those who operated these vital machines.

Location and Accessibility

Astoria, Oregon, itself, is a historic port city with a captivating past. Situated at the mouth of the Columbia River, where it meets the Pacific Ocean, Astoria provides a stunning backdrop for the museum. The museum’s location directly on the waterfront allows for unparalleled views of the river and the surrounding coastline. The facility is designed with accessibility in mind, offering Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, and Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities. Furthermore, the museum provides a Free parking lot and On-site parking, simplifying the visitor experience. The museum also offers Family-friendly activities and is particularly well-suited for children, fostering an early appreciation for maritime history.

Points of Interest and Amenities

Beyond the main exhibits and the Bushhorn tugboat, the museum offers a wealth of other attractions. Visitors can explore a variety of indoor exhibits detailing the history of shipbuilding, navigation, and coastal life. Outdoor exhibits showcase historic artifacts and equipment, providing a broader context for the museum's collection. A Gift shop offers a selection of nautical-themed souvenirs and educational materials. The museum also provides Tours, offering guided insights into the exhibits and the museum's history. For those seeking a meal, a Restaurant is conveniently located nearby.

Visitor Feedback and Reputation

The Columbia River Maritime Museum consistently receives positive feedback from visitors. Currently, the museum boasts 3944 reviews on Google My Business, with an impressive Average opinion of 4.7/5. These reviews consistently highlight the museum’s engaging exhibits, knowledgeable staff, and immersive atmosphere. Many visitors express appreciation for the museum's ability to bring the history of the Columbia River to life, emphasizing the informative and captivating nature of the displays. The museum’s dedication to preserving and showcasing this vital maritime heritage is clearly evident in the enthusiasm of its visitors.

Additional Information for Prospective Visitors

• Onsite services: The museum provides a range of services to enhance the visitor experience, including information desks and assistance with navigating the exhibits.
• Active military discounts: Active military personnel and their families are eligible for discounted admission.

The museum's exhibits often delve into the region's challenging waterways, particularly the Columbia River Bar – a notoriously dangerous confluence of the river and the ocean. Exhibits frequently explore the numerous shipwrecks and losses associated with this treacherous stretch of water, offering a sobering reminder of the risks faced by mariners throughout history. The museum effectively conveys the historical context and the human stories behind these tragedies, creating a poignant and memorable experience for visitors. The combination of historical artifacts, interactive displays, and engaging storytelling provides a truly enriching experience for anyone interested in maritime history, the Pacific Northwest, or the enduring spirit of exploration and adventure.

👍 Reviews of Columbia River Maritime Museum

Jim H.

5/5

Interesting museum. Interesting exhibits. Nice facility. Museum has indoor exhibits, outdoor pieces of interest and a ship at the pier you can wander through. Lots of history. Lots of information about the dangerous Columbia River Bar. Sad and fascinating. Many souls lost where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.

Noel B.

5/5

Impressive exhibits and artifacts of boats and the perils of navigating the Columbia Bar, aka "the graveyard of the pacific". Two intact fishing boats in a stunning main room set the tone. Exhibits about navigation and the many shipwrecks over the past 150 years fill in the juicy details.

But wait, there's more! An entire hall is devoted to the original mariners of the Columbia, the Chinook culture and their reliance on canoes for trade. Several of these large vessels are also on display, and you can learn how they were made from cedar logs.

The Emerson is also on display. This rowing vessel served Emerson C. Hendrickson on his record-setting unsupported solo row from Washington state to Queensland, Australia in 2018.

I saved the final attraction for last: the lightship Columbia, docked immediately behind the main building. Not only can you walk the main deck, but also climb below to experience the crew quarters. This experience alone makes the Columbia River Maritime Museum worth visiting.

Graham T.

5/5

A thoroughly enjoyable museum, especially if you are remotely interested in Maritime matters. You start with a dramatic diorama of a coast guard boat battling the well known massive waves at the mouth of the Columbia. Inside you find facts about the fishing industry, pilot boats, working barges, and in one section they have the bridge of an old WWII Destroyer (amazingly small). Plan to spend at least an hour wandering around and thoroughly looking at everything.

Gergely K.

5/5

Really informative museum that includes a self guided tour of a ship that provided a round the clock beacon for incoming ships in the past. There is an interesting coast guard exhibit and diving exhibit. The kids liked the green screen weatherman exhibit and made a weather report broadcast. The museum was child friendly, my kids enjoyed the exhibits and asked a lot of questions. The museum will be expanding next year, so we will definitely make another trip when the expansion is complete.

Sidharth J.

4/5

Wonderful place to experience the history of Astoria and its contribution to the development of the Columbia River and various ships commissioned for different tasks. The showcase displays are amazing and informative. One could easily spend three or four hours reading through the various short documentaries and audiovisual and written materials. The museum also highlights the contribution of the native people who lived in the area. The scaled-down models of different combat ships and US Coast Guard rescue teams' achievements are impressive. I got to step onto the Columbia ship and experience what life must have been like as maritime personnel, spending treacherous time in violent seas. The entry ticket is $18 for adults.

Jaimi S.

5/5

Enjoyed our visit and learned a lot. Plenty of hands on exhibits for kids. They really liked touring the ship as well.

Randy R.

5/5

Love of good exhibits, and family friendly. I enjoyed how much I learned about the Columbia River’s history and how treacherous the water can be here. And the exhibit that works with OMSI to return Japanese solder’s flags back to their families was somber experience to learn about. That touched me. If you have time I recommend coming here. It was so fun and I keep trying to find an excuse to come back. Plus the educator by the big map of sunken boats was super nice we spoke for about a half hour. I wish I can remember his name to give him credit. Over all I Loved it! And I can’t wait to make a second visit!

Nikki S.

5/5

We really enjoyed our time here. Unfortunately, we got there just as the lightship was closing, but they generously said that if we keep our tickets we can come back to view it anytime within the next year. Lots of multimedia, interesting videos, and hands on features. The maritime culture of indigenous people and the Japanese Yosegaki Hinomaru exhibits were fantastic and beautifully executed.