My husband and I are a couple of boat nerds – there, I said it. So you can imagine how excited we were to visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon. (www.crmm.org) But even if you don’t live and breathe boats and all things maritime, for anyone interested in knowing more about the powerful, and dangerous Columbia River and her fierce neighbor, the Pacific Ocean, this is the place to visit.
I’ve been to countless museums in my years, and surely, this one is one of the best multi-media, interactive installations I’ve ever encountered. There is something for everyone here, from the retired Lightship Columbia floating dockside to the 90’ Pilot Boat Peacock, installed magnificently inside. (Hats off to the U.S. Coast Guard. You’ll have a new appreciation for the lives they save.) There’s Native American history, valuable exhibits on the shipping and fishing trades, a room dedicated to World War II, an explanation of the Lewis and Clark’s expedition, and even a 3-D Movie, SeaRex, Journey to a Prehistoric World.
And to top it off? The museum is staffed most personable and knowledgeable people imaginable. A special thank you to Paula!