"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.  See our Facebook page for more construction site photos!

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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.

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Successful Annual Meeting

    About 90 members of the public and Historical Society attended a free celebration on Saturday, August 13th on Front Street in Coos Bay, near the old Coos Bay Iron Works.  Society officials described plans for the new Coos Historical & Maritime Center. Awards were presented to Stephen Dow Beckham for his work to preserve South Coast history and to Kate Sharples for her volunteer work with our education program. Thank you to NW Natural for this event sponsorship!

Kate Sharples and Stephen Dow Beckham (right) received

Society awards at the annual meeting held August 13th.

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McCullough Bridge Exhibit

The Coos Historical & Maritime Museum in North Bend has recently opened a new exhibit 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.

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