Discover Treasure in Astoria: the Columbia River Maritime Museum

Our popular public lecture series is back! Engaging speakers are invited to present on a specific topic related to the Port of Vancouver USA. Each season we cover several subjects from the maritime industry to global trade, tourism and more. It’s a great way to learn more about your port and what we do for Vancouver.

Our first lecture of the season features a retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain turned Executive Director of the Columbia River Maritime Museum:

Capt. Bruce Jones completed his 30-year U.S. Coast Guard career in command of Sector Columbia River in 2014. He subsequently served as a helicopter pilot for the Columbia River Bar Pilots, served on Astoria City Council and also as Astoria’s mayor. He was deputy director of the Columbia River Maritime Museum before becoming the museum’s executive director, where he is overseeing the museum’s $31.5 million campus transformation project. Capt. Jones will share stories from his varied career and discuss the museum’s mission of collecting, preserving, displaying, and interpreting maritime history—with a focus on the Columbia River and Pacific Northwest. The museum boasts 22,000 objects, 35,000+ photos and a 20,000 volume research library. Construction is underway on a new exhibit and education hall to better share the museum’s collection of artifacts and boats that are currently in storage.  

Lectures are FREE and open to the public, and are held at the Kiggins Theater, 1011 Main Street, Vancouver. Concessions are available for purchase (the popcorn is excellent!), including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. A percentage of food sales will benefit the Fort Vancouver Seafarers Center.

Doors will open to the public at 5:30 p.m., and port commissioners will be available to chat with attendees before the programs begin.

Note that parking is free downtown after 6:00 p.m.

Host or Publisher Port of Vancouver USA