Exhibits at the Coos History Museum
What's on View
Waves of Tradition | Now Open
In recognition of the United States’ 250th anniversary, the Coos History Museum is proud to present Waves of Tradition, a new exhibit exploring the rich and varied maritime heritage of Oregon’s South Coast. Supported in part by a grant from the Oregon Historical Commission, the exhibit reflects a broader effort to elevate inclusive and diverse stories as part of the national USA 250 commemoration.
Waves of Tradition highlights the people, cultures, and industries that have shaped the region’s identity through its deep connection to the sea. From shipbuilding and commercial fishing to maritime arts and coastal folklore, the exhibit showcases how generations of communities have lived, worked, and created along the shoreline.
Visitors will encounter stories that go beyond traditional narratives, emphasizing the cultural diversity and lived experiences of those who contributed to the South Coast’s maritime legacy. Through engaging displays and local perspectives, Waves of Tradition invites guests to consider how these traditions continue to influence the region today.
As part of the nationwide USA 250 initiative, this exhibit offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on America’s past while honoring the voices and histories that have too often been overlooked.
Feathers in Flight | Now Open
Fly into the fascinating world of birds, their feathers, and how they have shaped conservation laws. Featuring real taxidermy birds from Fur & Feathers Taxidermy, exciting displays, and more! Join us on Saturday, April 18 for this exhibit opening!
Lobby
- ‘Choshi’, a beach debris art installation
- History of the Coos County Historical Society
Photographic History of the Southern Oregon Coast
First Floor Main Gallery
Permanent Exhibits
- Natural History
- First Encounters and Early Settlement
- Overland Travel
- Mining
- Logging and Timber
- Maritime
- Shipbuilding
- Bounty from the Waters
- Rough Seas and Shores
- Shipwrecks
- United States Coast Guard
- Chinese Immigrants
- Myrtlewood
Outdoor Exhibits
- Steam Donkey
- The Coho
- Bioswale and Native Plants
First Floor Main Gallery
Special Exhibitions-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.
Alonzo Tucker
Exhibit features a memorial to the life of Alonzo Tucker, a black man who was lynched in Coos Bay in 1902.
First Floor Welcome Gallery
Your South Coast Adventure Starts Here!
Explore the stories that shaped Coos County’s History. From local tribes to the fur trade to Coos Bay’s own Apollo homecoming, this Welcome Gallery exhibit showcases the rich history of Oregon’s South Coast.