Events & Exhibits
Concerts | Lectures | Exhibits | Field Trips | Tours & Special Events
Upcoming Events:
Friday Tech Time – 1st and 3rd Fridays of the Month
Schedule: First and Third Fridays of the month
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Cost: $10 per class
Location: Held at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum
Bring your own device. Walk-ins welcome.
Check the schedule to see which Friday features ChatGPT and which features Canva.
Mac Burns Presents: The Book of the Dead: Clatsop Coroner Inquests 1905 to 1909 – Saturday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m.
The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum invites the public to explore a compelling chapter of local history through early twentieth century coroner records from Clatsop County.
On Saturday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m., historian Mac Burns will present The Book of the Dead: Clatsop County Coroner Inquests 1905 to 1909, a historical examination of early twentieth century coroner records that reveals what they tell us about community life, tragedy, and changing attitudes toward death in the early 1900s.
Burns is Executive Director of the Clatsop County Historical Society and co-host of the radio program An Adventure in History on KMUN with Alana Kujala. Known for his approachable and conversational style, Burns brings local history to life through careful research and compelling storytelling.
Drawing from original inquest records, this program highlights the human stories behind accidents, illnesses, and untimely deaths in Clatsop County. To keep the audience engaged, Burns incorporates an interactive element, a round of “Dead Guy Bingo,” inviting participants to notice patterns and details within the historical record.
This event is free and open to the public.
The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum is located at 1387 S. Spruce Street in Cannon Beach, Oregon. For more information, visit cbhistory.org or call 503 436 9301.
Hans Brooten and the Kelp Ore Spa on the Oregon Coast – Thursday, March 12 at 4:00 p.m.
The story of a Norwegian immigrant, a mysterious blue clay, and a coastal spa that drew visitors from across the country will take center stage at the next lecture at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum.
On Thursday, March 12 at 4:00 p.m., coastal historian Cameron La Follette will present the fascinating history of Hans Brooten and the rise of Brooten Baths, also known as the Kelp Ore Spa. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Hans Brooten immigrated from Norway to Tillamook County in 1899. Guided by a persistent dream, he eventually settled near Pacific City, where he discovered a blue clay he called “kelp ore.”. Experimenting with it, he discovered it had healing properties. This led him to create Brooten Baths, a spa that operated successfully for nearly thirty years and attracted visitors from across the nation. His experiments led to the creation of Brooten Baths, a spa that operated successfully for nearly thirty years and attracted visitors from across the nation.
La Follette’s presentation will explore Brooten’s life, the development of the spa, the popularity of “kelp ore,” and Brooten’s clashes with the federal government during a time of increasing medical regulation.
Cameron La Follette serves as Executive Director of Oregon Coast Alliance, a coastal conservation and land use protection organization. She is also a coastal historian whose work has appeared in Oregon Historical Quarterly, the Journal of Historical Geography, and other scholarly publications. Her research spans topics from Oregon’s oldest known shipwreck, a Manila galleon wrecked in 1693–94, to the history of sea otters along the Oregon coast. La Follette holds a Journalism degree from the University of Oregon, a master’s degree in Psychology from New York University, and a Law degree from Columbia University.
This lecture is free and open to the public and is part of the museum’s annual lecture series, which occurs each year from October through June. The Cannon Beach History Center and Museum is located at 1387 S. Spruce Street in Cannon Beach. This lecture has been generously sponsored by The Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach.
Tea by the Tides: Stories, Friendship & Tea – A Private Book Release Gathering with Jane Kirkpatrick on Saturday, May 9 at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with a meaningful and memorable experience by the coast.
The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum invites you to Tea by the Tides, an intimate book release gathering with beloved author Jane Kirkpatrick. This special morning offers a beautiful way to spend time together, perfect for mothers, daughters, friends, and readers who love stories rooted in place.
This gathering celebrates the release of With the Enduring Tides: The Women of Cannon Beach, the second novel in Jane Kirkpatrick’s trilogy, following Across the Crying Sands. Each guest will receive a copy of the new novel to take home.
Limited to just 24 guests, this private event is designed as a warm, unhurried experience. Guests will enjoy locally crafted Ghost Ship Teas, made in Cannon Beach, along with sweet treats in a relaxed setting. Jane will share stories behind the book, reflecting on themes of friendship and resilience, anchored by the story of Mary Gerritse, and speaking about the enduring pull of the Oregon Coast.
Whether you’re treating your mother, sharing a morning with someone special, or giving yourself a quiet gift, this gathering offers time to slow down, connect, and enjoy conversation over tea and friendship.
Tickets are $55 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing Cannon Beach’s history through exhibits, education, and community programs.
Seating is limited to 24 guests. Advance tickets are required. Tickets may be purchased at cbhistory.org or by calling 503-436-9301.
The event will be held at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, located at 1387 S. Spruce St. in Cannon Beach, Oregon.
Exhibits:
Temporary History Exhibit:
Friends of Haystack Rock – Celebrating 20 Years of Conservation!
The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum is excited to present a temporary exhibit celebrating 20 years of the Friends of Haystack Rock (FOHR). This special exhibit highlights FOHR’s dedication to the preservation, education, and advocacy of marine life at Haystack Rock, with a focus on the iconic tufted puffins and the rich intertidal ecosystem.
Visitors will explore two decades of FOHR’s impactful work through displays showcasing educational initiatives, ongoing research, and advocacy efforts that have made a lasting difference for Cannon Beach’s marine environment. This exhibit honors FOHR’s mission to protect and celebrate the unique biodiversity of Haystack Rock, inspiring both residents and visitors to continue advocating for this incredible natural treasure.
Come join us at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum to celebrate FOHR’s remarkable journey!
On display through 2026.
Temporary Classroom Exhibit:
Sue Gordon: A Trailblazer for Women, Education, and the Arts
The Cannon Beach History Center and Museum presents Sue Gordon: A Trailblazer for Women, Education, and the Arts, an exhibition honoring the life and enduring impact of Sue Gordon, founder of the Cannon Beach Haystack ’69 program and a pioneering advocate for women, education, and the arts.
Organized chronologically, the exhibition traces Gordon’s journey from her early life through the experiences that shaped her vision and leadership. Through photographs, archival materials, and personal reflections, visitors will follow the timeline of her accomplishments and the lasting influence of her work in Cannon Beach and beyond.
Her creation of the Cannon Beach Haystack ’69 program marked a pivotal moment in the region’s cultural history, helping to strengthen Cannon Beach’s identity as a place where artistic expression and education could flourish. Her legacy continues to resonate in the creative and civic life of the community today.
This exhibition was developed in collaboration with Sue Gordon’s children – Brad Gordon, Lynn Havnar, Keith Gordon, and Lorrie Gordon McFadden – who generously shared photographs, memories, and archival materials to help bring her story home.
The public is invited to join us for an opening reception on Saturday, March 7 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for light snacks and refreshments.
On view March 7 through June 30.
Temporary Art Exhibit:
Seasonal Light
Photography by Seasons Kaz Sparks
A celebration of light, wildlife, and the quiet beauty of the Oregon Coast, Seasonal Light features sunset photography by Seasons Kaz Sparks, the creative force behind Salty Raven. Best known for her minimalist illustrations and playful product lines, Sparks captures something more intimate in this exhibit: golden-hour moments where Haystack Rock and the region’s resident elk seem to pause with the setting sun.
Widely recognized for her whimsical Flock of Gerrys series and screen-printed goods, Sparks brings that same sense of wonder to her lens, this time with the coast itself as her subject. These photographs reflect not only the passage of time through light and season, but the enduring spirit of this place we call home. You can explore more of her work at Salty Raven, her storefront in Cannon Beach located at 140 South Hemlock Street, which features her original designs on apparel, glassware, home goods, and more.