"Our mission is to enhance the intellectual, civic, and cultural life of Oregon’s South Coast by facilitating awareness of local history."

See the exciting plans for the new

COOS HISTORICAL & MARITIME CENTER!

(click on the image below to learn more)

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Phase I of the Coos Historical & Maritime Center has finished:  leveling and filling the new Center site. In March our geo-tech told us that the site has settled and we may begin driving piling.  At a recent meeting, the CCHS Board voted to put the project out to bid in early May.  We intend to open bids on the project in June and begin construction in mid-summer. Watch this website as more information develops and visit our Facebook page for more construction site photos!

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Jon Littlefield to Speak on "Chinese of Marshfield"

     Local author, and historical society board member, Jon Littlefield will present information about his new book, Between Two Worlds: Chinese of Marshfield, Oregon, at the Coos Bay Public Library on Thursday, May 17th at 7:00.  Littlefield, a retired attorney, previously co-authored a history of the Coos Bay Public Library. His recent book on the Chinese not only gives an interesting account of an important minority group in the Bay Area, but also provides a fascinating insight into the early cultural climate of the area as well.

     His book is currently on sale at the Coos Historical & Maritime Museum in North Bend for $22. Littlefield has generously directed that all proceeds from book sales will benefit the Historical Society.

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New Book Available: "Coos Bay"

     Local author Andie Jensen has completed a new book in the Arcadia Images of America Series called Coos Bay.  Like other Arcadia books, this 127 page volume is full of wonderful photos, with full captions, from the Coos Historical & Maritime Museum collection.  The collection illustrates the story of the Native Coos people on the bay, the establishment of the first white settlers, the founding of Marshfield, and includes images of Coos Bay in the modern era. The museum store will sell the volumes for $21.99 (with 10% off for members).

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Oregon Archaeology Celebrations:

"Invitations to the Past"

     An exhibit of posters celebrating Oregon archaeology is now on display at the Coos Historical & Maritime Museum in North Bend. This is a travelling exhibit that has been on display at other fine museums in our state. Besides exhibiting the posters, our collections manager, Vicki Wiese, has displayed local artifacts related to the archeological research.  You don't want to miss a recent core sample that shows the effects of the 1700 earthquake and tsunami!

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"Ironworks" Exhibit Now Open

     Our most recent exhibit is about ironworks in the Coos Bay / North Bend / Coos County region: "Coos Metal: Blacksmith, Machinists, and Ironworkers". It opened at the museum in November 2011. Every town had an ironworks in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were an important part of the development of every community. We have lots of interesting artifacts to show and stories to tell!  This exhibit is made possible by a grant from the Coos County Cultural Coalition. The photo below shows a bellows that was in use in Coos County over a century ago.

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McCullough Bridge Exhibit

     The Coos Historical & Maritime Museum is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the opening of the McCullough Memorial Bridge over Coos Bay. We are featuring a new book as well: Crossings: McCullough's Coastal Bridges by Judy Fleagle.  We have several other good books about bridges on the Oregon Coast and some scenic note cards of a sunset behind the McCullough bridge in our museum store. This exhibit will end in June.

THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR SPONSORS!