Astoria, Oregon - Columbia River Maritime Museum recently received a $250,000 grant from the Roundhouse Foundation for ‘Mariners Hall and Native American Exhibits Design and Construction’. 

The Museum’s campus expansion plan includes construction of a new exhibit hall, Warnock Mariners Hall, plus major remodeling in the main museum building.  Modifications to the iconic wave-shaped building include redesigned gallery space to accommodate two new Indigenous exhibits: one (This is Our Place) a collaboration with the Chinook Indian Nation, and one (Cedar and Sea) much more expansive in geographic scope, covering southern Oregon through Alaska, both opening Fall 2024.  An important design and concept principle of both exhibits is to focus on Indigenous perspectives and Indigenous voices, and to explore the living traditions of the tribes depicted.

“The Columbia River Maritime Museum chose to do these exhibits now because, as we began to design our new exhibit hall, we recognized significant gaps in our storytelling around Indigenous culture and heritage, especially as lived today,” said museum Executive Director Bruce Jones.

The Roundhouse Foundation grant will fully fund Ntsayka ili/I ukuk (This Is Our Place), which features the photography of Amiran White, who has been documenting the Chinook Indian Nation for almost a decade.

“We are grateful for the Roundhouse Foundation’s generosity allowing us to share these important exhibits with our visitors,” said Jones.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is a fully accredited museum and registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.  The Museum has operated debt-free since its founding in 1962. 

For further information contact CRMM Executive Director Bruce Jones, [email protected] (503) 741-5914.