Rainier Library now offering Maritime Museum passes

The Rainier City Library is the most recent addition to The Columbia River Maritime Museum’s library network membership program. The Astoria-based museum provides each library with two free membership cards for check-out by library card carrying members.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Rainier City Library as the newest partner in our growing network,” said Columbia River Maritime Museum Director of External Engagement Caroline Wuebben. “Each participating library receives two membership cards that patrons can check out just like a book. Each card provides admission for two adults from the same household and their children or grandchildren to the Museum, including the Lightship Columbia. This program helps ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity to stop by, step in, and explore the Columbia River Maritime Museum.”

In addition to museum admission, passes provide access to the Lightship Columbia. The museum’s website describes the Lightship Columbia as “a national historic landmark that once guided ships to safety at the mouth of the Columbia River offers an opportunity to explore where sailors would cook, eat, sleep, and work.” The website also states, “The ​Lightship Columbia functioned as a floating lighthouse to mark the mouth of the Columbia River from 1951-1979. Since the lightship was essentially a small town anchored 5 miles out to sea, all of the supplies for the crew had to be on board. The lightship had a full crew of 17 men who worked in rotations, with 10 men on duty at a time. Life on board consisted of long periods of monotony punctuated by fierce storms, particularly in the winter”.

Visitors can also access the 3D theater, which is currently playing “ARCTIC: Our Frozen Planet and Aircraft Carrier - Guardian of the Seas.” Visitors also receive a 10 percent discount at the museum store.

The Rainier City Library joins an impressive list of other participating Oregon libraries, including Astoria Cannon Beach, Clatskanie, Scappoose, Seaside, St. Helens, Vernonia, and Warrenton to name a few. The passes became available Sept. 18 and are made possible through a generous donation by the Maritime Museum.

The museum opened in 1962 and was founded by Rolf Klep and a small group of naval veterans and fishing industry executives who all shared a fascination for preserving Pacific Northwest maritime history and boasts the largest collection of Pacific Northwest maritime artifacts in the country. The organization is currently underway in constructing a new 24,500 square foot exhibition and education hall with plans to showcase interactive displays on artifacts and boats currently held in storage. They are also remodeling 11,000 square feet of current gallery space to upgrade long-standing exhibits and add two new ones.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is located at 1792 Marine Dr. in Astoria and is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info, call 503-325-2323.