Exhibits

Special Exhibition-On Display Now

Reclaiming Our Words: Tribal Language on the South Coast

A collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, the Coquille Indian Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

This exhibit focuses on Native American Language Revitalization as told by the Tribes themselves. It features the Tribal languages in and around Coos County. It gives a deeper understanding of the importance of language to Native American culture, and the history of how the languages were and are passed down. Explore and learn Native words through interactive visual and audio displays and see explanations of how local place names originated.

Second Floor Special Exhibition – Opening 2026

Waves of Tradition

Step into the diverse cultural traditions tied to the sea in Coos County, from Indigenous shellfishing and canoe practices to immigrant fishing communities and modern maritime festivals. This exhibit emphasizes continuity, adaptation, and the cultural expressions – music, foodways, rituals – that connect communities to the ocean.

Rippey Gallery Permanent Exhibition – Opening 2026

Feathers in Flight

Explore how birds have shaped conservation, law, and fashion. From fluorescent feathers to taxidermy specimens, this exhibit underscores the long arc of scientific investigation, shifts in public attitudes, and the protective frameworks that emerged to safeguard North America’s bird populations.