Join the Museum's Educator, Julia Triezenberg, for some virtual learning.
August 2020
Weekend Break: A beginner's guide to maritime slang
Slang lives outside the bounds of "proper" use of language, yet it reflects how people really talk to each other. Here are just a few phrases that originated from the maritime world.
Weekend Break: A beginner's guide to maritime slang
Slang lives outside the bounds of "proper" use of language, yet it reflects how people really talk to each other. Here are just a few phrases that originated from the maritime world.
September 2020
Weekend Break: Shipbuilder's efforts remembered 75 years after World War II
Henry J. Kaiser is considered on of the foremost fathers of American shipbuilding. Astoria and other coastal communities found themselves part of his work during World War II.
Weekend Break: Shipbuilder's efforts remembered 75 years after World War II
Henry J. Kaiser is considered on of the foremost fathers of American shipbuilding. Astoria and other coastal communities found themselves part of his work during World War II.
October 2020
Weekend Break: The North Coast's legendary sea monsters
The Pacific Northwest is no stranger to tales of mysterious creatures. Learn about these sea monsters known to be frequenting local waters on the North Oregon coast.
Weekend Break: The North Coast's legendary sea monsters
The Pacific Northwest is no stranger to tales of mysterious creatures. Learn about these sea monsters known to be frequenting local waters on the North Oregon coast.
November 2020
Weekend Break: Sailing the world
Line-crossing ceremonies are a centuries-old tradition in the maritime world. Each ceremony is a rite of passage that initiates a sailor into the industry.
Weekend Break: Sailing the world
Line-crossing ceremonies are a centuries-old tradition in the maritime world. Each ceremony is a rite of passage that initiates a sailor into the industry.
December 2020
Weekend Break: Downright depressing names of the North Coast
Many amazing sites on the Oregon and Washington state coasts are accompanied by downright depressing names. Despite their bleak histories, each spot contributes to the area's mysterious character and makes it all the more compelling.
Weekend Break: Downright depressing names of the North Coast
Many amazing sites on the Oregon and Washington state coasts are accompanied by downright depressing names. Despite their bleak histories, each spot contributes to the area's mysterious character and makes it all the more compelling.
January 2021
Weekend Break: Historical maritime tattoos
From the earliest days of maritime tattooing, sailors have covered themselves in images that symbolize their lives at sea. Many of these images started with distinct meanings and have evolved to how we understand them today.
Weekend Break: Historical maritime tattoos
From the earliest days of maritime tattooing, sailors have covered themselves in images that symbolize their lives at sea. Many of these images started with distinct meanings and have evolved to how we understand them today.
February 2021
Weekend Break: Valentine's Day at sea
Sailors' valentines were gifts sailors would bring to loved ones after time away at sea. They were decorated with intricate patterns made of hundreds of different types of shells.
Weekend Break: Valentine's Day at sea
Sailors' valentines were gifts sailors would bring to loved ones after time away at sea. They were decorated with intricate patterns made of hundreds of different types of shells.
March 2021
Weekend Break: The Columbia's "floating lighthouses"
From 1892 to 1979, five different lightships guided vessels to the mouth of the Columbia River. These "floating lighthouses" served as navigational aids for ships where it wasn't practical to build a standing lighthouse.
Weekend Break: The Columbia's "floating lighthouses"
From 1892 to 1979, five different lightships guided vessels to the mouth of the Columbia River. These "floating lighthouses" served as navigational aids for ships where it wasn't practical to build a standing lighthouse.
April 2021
Weekend Break: The Columbia's fishing horses
The Columbia River used to be home to teams of horses that helped fishermen catch salmon along the river.
Weekend Break: The Columbia's fishing horses
The Columbia River used to be home to teams of horses that helped fishermen catch salmon along the river.
May 2021
Weekend Break: Whaling along Oregon's coast
The North Coast has a little known history of being home to one of the last commercial whaling enterprises in the U.S.
Weekend Break: Whaling along Oregon's coast
The North Coast has a little known history of being home to one of the last commercial whaling enterprises in the U.S.
June 2021
Weekend Break: Remembering the Desdemona Sands Lighthouse
The pilings that used to hold up the Desdemona Sands Lighthouse can still be found on a shoal near the mouth of the Columbia. Because so little of the area around Desdemona Sands was navigable, virtually every large-scale vessel would travel past in on the Oregon side of the river.
Weekend Break: Remembering the Desdemona Sands Lighthouse
The pilings that used to hold up the Desdemona Sands Lighthouse can still be found on a shoal near the mouth of the Columbia. Because so little of the area around Desdemona Sands was navigable, virtually every large-scale vessel would travel past in on the Oregon side of the river.
July 2021
Weekend Break: Astoria's forgotten fire
In July 1883, Astoria faced on of the most devastating fires in its history. Mostly forgotten today, what was known as the "Big Fire" took out a significant chunk of the city's waterfront district.
Weekend Break: Astoria's forgotten fire
In July 1883, Astoria faced on of the most devastating fires in its history. Mostly forgotten today, what was known as the "Big Fire" took out a significant chunk of the city's waterfront district.
August 2021
Weekend Break: The great railroad boom
For years, 19th-century Americans dreamed of a railroad that would connect their town to the rest of the country. After years of work, they finally got their wish.
Weekend Break: The great railroad boom
For years, 19th-century Americans dreamed of a railroad that would connect their town to the rest of the country. After years of work, they finally got their wish.
September 2021
Weekend Break: Antique salmon cans offer a glimpse into history
Columbia River salmon were sold around the world, and the labels on their cans were marketed for specific consumer bases. However, the labels weren't always accurate.
Weekend Break: Antique salmon cans offer a glimpse into history
Columbia River salmon were sold around the world, and the labels on their cans were marketed for specific consumer bases. However, the labels weren't always accurate.
October 2021
Weekend Break: Revisiting a childhood staple
Some Jello-O recipes were family staples, while others were disastrous. One infamous recipe comes from a 1969 cookbook from the Columbia River Maritime Museum Auxilary.
Weekend Break: Revisiting a childhood staple
Some Jello-O recipes were family staples, while others were disastrous. One infamous recipe comes from a 1969 cookbook from the Columbia River Maritime Museum Auxilary.
November 2021
Weekend Break: The 'worm castles' of the sea
Hardtack was a staple food for sailors in the 18th- and 19th-centuries. These "biscuit bricks" were invaluable at the time, but didn't come without their problems.
Weekend Break: The 'worm castles' of the sea
Hardtack was a staple food for sailors in the 18th- and 19th-centuries. These "biscuit bricks" were invaluable at the time, but didn't come without their problems.
December 2021
Weekend Break: The day that changed Astoria forever
December marks the anniversary of one of downtown Astoria's worst disasters: the Great Astoria Fire.
Weekend Break: The day that changed Astoria forever
December marks the anniversary of one of downtown Astoria's worst disasters: the Great Astoria Fire.
January 2022
Weekend Break: Cats, dogs, pigs and goats
For as long as sailors have been at sea, their pets have sailed alongside them. Not only did most pets on board a sailing ship provide some practical purpose, but they were also a reminder of home.
Weekend Break: Cats, dogs, pigs and goats
For as long as sailors have been at sea, their pets have sailed alongside them. Not only did most pets on board a sailing ship provide some practical purpose, but they were also a reminder of home.
February 2022
Weekend Break: Scrimshaw
Scrimshaw, or artwork typically made from whale bones or teeth, is often considered one of the first truly American folk arts. Scrimshaw brought sailors' worlds at home and sea together.
Weekend Break: Scrimshaw
Scrimshaw, or artwork typically made from whale bones or teeth, is often considered one of the first truly American folk arts. Scrimshaw brought sailors' worlds at home and sea together.
