Museums of Pacific County

Celebrating Willapa Bay Nautical History and Maritime Culture. Historic displays from the age of sail to the steamboat era. Tales of shipwrecks & treasure, lighthouses & U.S. Life Saving Service. Logging Camps & Lumber Schooners. Military collections from WWI back to the war of 1812. Personalized tours available.

The Archives Center is home to displays on the history and heritage of the Naselle-Grays River Valley and surrounding areas. Inside you will find a genealogy corner, a collection of historical photographs, logging display, bookstore, and an extensive library of local writings and Finnish books. The cafe serves both breakfast and lunch.

The Shoalwater Bay Tribal Community Library and Heritage Museum is open to the public to provide educational and resource materials with an extensive Native American collection of books. Our Library also offers many fun programs throughout the year for adults and children! Our Heritage Museum tells the story of the Shoalwater Bay Indian people, and shares our rich culture through contemporary art and historical artifacts.

Built by the Finnish community in 1933, the Museum houses cranberry history and equipment, including the Furford Picker, invented by Julius Furford(a former owner of the property the Museum sits on, Julius used the buildings for the picker and other inventions production) in 1957, it is still in production today.Under new stewardship of South Beach Historical Society, the Museum has added a CranZberry Gift Shop and will be continuing its efforts on the cranberry industry and community, blending in some of the stories more specifically of the south end of our beaches, including the Grayland Coast Guard, the lost Life Saving Station and lighthouse, North Cove, and the changing landscape of Cape Shoalwater.

History abounds at the Northwest Carriage Museum. Visit one of the finest collections of 19th century carriages, buggies, wagons, and historical artifacts in the country. The museum has earned a national reputation for carriage knowledge including historical and restoration information. Our museum is family friendly, educational and fun for everyone. Come get carried away!

Carefully preserved and full of fascinating artifacts from another era, Knappton Cove was once the US Columbia River Quarantine Station, The Columbia River’s “Ellis Island”. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Interpretive Center focuses on Fort Columbia’s history, including the topics of early exploration, fur trade, and westward settlement. Fort Columbia Historical State Park is a 618-acre day-use historical park, and is a unit of the Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks. The park sits along the shoreline of the Columbia River. Chinook Point, the setting of the fort, is within the accustomed territory of the Chinook Indian Nation, and is a designated National Historic Landmark for it’s historic significance over three centuries.

The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum is the place to explore the crossroads of history where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. Over 5,000 sq ft. of exhibitions feature historic artifacts, photographs, and objects. Two working model train layouts and the 1889 Pullman Coach NAHCOTTA are popular attractions.

The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center stands high on the cliffs at Cape Disappointment State Park, with sweeping views of the mouth of the Columbia River. The exhibits offer an insightful look at Lewis & Clark’s westward journey, and highlight the expedition’s arrival at the Pacific Ocean. Maritime and military displays illustrate other layers of the history in the park.

The World Kite Museum in Long Beach boasts the most complete collection of Japanese kites outside of Japan, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! From fighting kites to colorful choreography, the history of kites around the globe will surprise and delight you.

Welcome to the land of West Coast cranberries. Discover the history of these tart native berries originally used by Native Americans. Tour the demonstration farm and experience the harvest from mid-September through October. Enjoy the cranberry ice cream, cranberry wine, and Cougar Gold cheese available in the gift shop.

Housed in a replica of an oyster grower’s home, this interpretive center offers a glimpse into the history of Willapa Bay’s oyster industry, now almost 150 years old. In addition to informative displays, the Interpretive Center is one of the few spots on the bay that visitors can find easy access to the rocky shores and muddy floors of the bay on non-private property.