Situated where the post office used to reside in Clatskanie, Oregon, the Clatskanie Historical Museum aims to bring the local history of the Clatskanie area to life for visitors to view. Currently looking for donations of artifacts including those from fishing, dairying, mint and agricultural farming, army ammunition and the logging/lumber industries, the museum would like to continue to grow. They are also looking for any written archives and photographs.

The local history began with the Clatskanie Indians, an Athabaskan language tribe. When Lewis and Clark traveled the Columbia River in 1805, they encountered the tribe as they ventured towards the Pacific Ocean and what would become the Fort Clatsop area, but it wasn’t until 1871 that the town took the name of the tribe.

If you would like to visit this interesting museum and learn more about local history and culture, the Clatskanie Historical Museum is open every Saturday from 1:00pm – 3:30pm and by appointment. Additionally, if you have any artifacts you would like to share or donate, Larry Cole, president of the Clatskanie Historical Society, can be reached at ldcole@charter.net or at PO Box 502, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016.

The Clatskanie Historical Society is supported in part by the Columbia County Cultural Coalition funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust through the coalition grant program.

Submittedby Andy Demko, CCCCB Board Member
Contributions by Larry Cole, CCCCB Board Member