Mini vacation time on the Oregon Coast 😁 (in Astoria,OR not Longview,WA)

The Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon, is the official state maritime museum, housing over 30,000 objects dedicated to the rich shipping, fishing, and military history of the Pacific Northwest. [1, 2, 3] History & Atmosphere Founding: Established in 1962 by founder Rolf Klep alongside naval veterans and fishing executives to safeguard regional maritime heritage. [1] Architecture: Located directly on the harborfront with an eye-catching roofline resembling incoming ocean waves and panoramic windows framing the Columbia River. Specialties & Unique Services The Columbia River Bar: Features immersive "Crossing the Bar" displays detailing navigation challenges and shipwrecks in the notorious "Graveyard of the Pacific Coast Guard Rescues: Showcases heavy-surf rescue vessels, including a 44-foot motor lifeboat and interactive decision-making exhibits like the "Coxswain's Dilemma". Lightship Columbia: Grants visitors access to board and tour an authentic, nationally landmarked floating lighthouse that once marked the dangerous river bar. Working Waterfront & Culture: Displays real fishing boats, canning history that made Astoria a salmon capital, a WWII warship bridge, and collaborative Indigenous maritime displays. Barbey Maritime Center: Dedicated to traditional boatbuilding and educational community workshops housed in a historic 1925 railway depot