Astoria’s rich history along the Columbia River is revealed in the Heritage Museum, managed by the Clatsop County Historical Society. Learn about trading, logging, fishing and other activities in the county. Astoria’s former city hall was built in 1904. This pale yellow two-story building now houses the Heritage Museum. Admire its elegant façade before stepping inside.
The county’s name of Clatsop comes from one of the Native American tribes who lived in this part of northern Oregon. Follow their history for centuries before Lewis and Clark arrived in the region. One noted artifact is a 1,000-year-old hunting tool. See Chinook and Clatsop basketry as well as numerous creative ways local people used the area’s plentiful cedar trees.
The first John Jacob Astor, a noted fur trader and patriarch of the affluent Astor family, was an early influence. His activities in the region in the early 1800s led to the development of the town that was named for him. Fur garments from the period of Fort Astoria’s protection of the region are exhibited in the museum. See how immigrants from multiple nations helped the region grow.
Visit the reconstructed saloon and notice the 100-year-old roulette wheel that symbolizes wild times when gambling, drinking and prostitution were common in the area.
The museum is open Tuesday to Friday. There is an admission fee for entrance, with discounts for children.
Find the Heritage Museum just a few blocks south of the Columbia River. Street parking is usually fairly easy to find. For additional information, ride the Astoria Riverfront Trolley and enjoy listening to a volunteer motorman tell stories of the town’s history as you pass waterfront locations.
Find out more about specialized aspects of Astoria’s history at other museums including the Oregon Film Museum, the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Hanthorn Cannery Museum and the Flavel House Museum.
