Highlighting American history, culture, and transportation exhibits (19th - 20th Century). Specializing in American maritime-related art.
Activities: Tours, Kids Interests
Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
$$ (Moderately Priced); Reduced Rate for Children
The Columbia River Maritime Museum was founded in 1962 when Rolf Klep, a native of Astoria, returned to his birthplace after retirement as a successful graphic artist on the east coast. Upon returning, Klep (a long-time collector of marine artifacts) and a group of his colleagues sought to establish a museum to preserve the rich maritime heritage of the entire Columbia River region - a museum of national distinction. Today the Columbia River Maritime Museum's national reputation for the quality of its exhibits and the scope of its collections makes it one of the finest maritime museums in the nation. It is also the first museum in Oregon to meet national accreditation standards, and has been designated the official state maritime museum for Oregon.