​WHY DOES THE MUSEUM NEED TO BUILD A NEW BUILDING?
The Columbia River Maritime Museum's VISION is to be a ​WORLD CLASS maritime museum, telling POWERFUL STORIES that INSPIRE​ people with enthusiasm, curiosity, and appreciation for our maritime heritage, THROUGH EXCELLENCE in collections, exhibits and programming.

The PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS of our existing building LIMIT OUR ABILITY to fulfill our vision.  There are extraordinary STORIES TO TELL, through many boats and other artifacts now in storage.  Their absence leaves SIGNIFICANT GAPS in our storytelling.  We intend to FILL THESE GAPS with exceptional displays in an additional building - MARINERS HALL.
"Our five year Strategic Plan highlighted the need to bring more of our extensive collections from storage to the public in pursuit of our vision to be a truly world-class maritime museum." (CRMM Board Chairman Michael Haglund)
CRMM Curator Jeff Smith provides a tour of the Museum's boat storage warehouse.  At center, the 45 foot classic yacht Merrimac, built at Astoria's AMCCO in 1938,
​will be a highlight of Mariners Hall.
A bird's eye view of CRMM's Collection storage, which includes 22,000+ objects,
35,000+ photographs, and a 20,000+ volume research library.

HOW LARGE IS THE PLANNED BUILDING?
24,468 SF (Ground level 18,573 SF, Mezzanine 5,895 SF), roof height will average 35 ft.
"The Mariners Hall project will add approximately 24,468 square feet of additional exhibit space in a second building adjacent to the current building." (Bruce Jones, Deputy Director)

WHAT WILL BE IN THE NEW BUILDING?
* Approximately 24 vessels of various types either in our Collection, or soon to be
* Ability to view vessels from above and below the waterline
* Wide range of maritime artifacts from our Collection
* Interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) space for exploration and educational opportunities for all ages
* A classroom space that supports STEAM learning
* An orientation film and theater and small retail space
"Noted highlights planned for the new building include a WWII Liberty Ship lifeboat built by Portland's Gunderson Marine; a 60 foot racing shell built by famed boatbuilder George Pocock of "Boys in the Boat" fame; a first order Fresnel lens; recreational boats such as Tollycraft built and used in our region; fishing vessels built by Astoria's Wilson Brothers and Bumble Bee shipyards; and a 'log bronc' utility boat used to corral logs." "We are particularly excited about the opportunities a dedicated classroom and interactive STEAM area provide for us to help inspire young people in careers in maritime and other STEAM related fields and an understanding of the importance of maritime industries in our communities, economy and nation." (Bruce Jones, Deputy Director)

STORIES & EXHIBITS WILL CENTER ON MANY SIGNIFICANT ARTIFACTS, INCLUDING:
* Merrimac - 1938 classic wooden yacht built by Astoria Marine Construction Company
* Fishing vessels built by Astoria's Wilson Brothers and Bumble Bee shipyards
* 60-foot racing shell built by famed builder George Pocock
* Cape Mendocino Lighthouse 1st order Fresnel Lens
* Native American canoe
* US Coast Guard H65 Dolphin rescue helicopter, representing marine aviation
* 52-foot motor lifeboat Triumph II, which saved and assisted local fishermen at the mouth of the Columbia River for 60 years until 2021

WHAT IS THE BUDGET?
$30 million ($23,544,997 million has been raised as of 3-1-2024)
CRMM's board voted to approve fundraising up to a total cost of $30 million, including $4 million of contingency funds, for the project. (Bruce Jones, Deputy Director)
Cash in hand will meet need through 1Q25.  Including pledges, current fundraising meets projected needs through 4Q25.
WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?
Groundbreaking Fall 2024, Opening Summer 2026

Architect Opsis Architecture, Portland, OR
Exhibit Designer Storyline Studio, Seattle, WA
General Contractor Rickenbach Construction, Astoria, OR
Museum's Project Manager John McGowan, CRMM Trustee, retired President, Abbott Construction
Museum Executive Director Capt Bruce Jones, USCG ret.