Concerts | Lectures | Exhibits | Field Trips | Tours & Special Events
The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum invites the public to an informative lecture on tufted puffins on Thursday, April 17 at 4:00 p.m., featuring Lisa Habecker, Volunteer and Education Coordinator for the Haystack Rock Awareness Program. Habecker will delve their fascinating behaviors, migration patterns, and the challenges they face, including climate change, habitat loss, predation pressures, and food scarcity. Despite their declining numbers in the southern range, the tufted puffin remains a symbol of resilience in the North Pacific.
Haystack Rock is home to Oregon’s second-largest tufted puffin colony, offering a unique opportunity to study these charismatic seabirds from shore. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) has been dedicated to protecting Haystack Rock’s marine and bird life for over 40 years. Through community engagement and public education, HRAP fosters a deeper understanding of the fragile ecosystem at Haystack Rock, encouraging conservation efforts to preserve this unique habitat for future generations. HRAP staff and volunteers provide on-the-beach education, lead guided tidepool explorations, and support scientific monitoring to ensure the protection of this critical environment.
Attendees can also view Friends of Haystack Rock’s (FOHR) 20th Anniversary temporary exhibit, which celebrates two decades of conservation, education, and advocacy efforts at Haystack Rock. The exhibit highlights FOHR’s mission to promote the preservation and protection of intertidal life and birds that inhabit the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock. FOHR accomplishes this in cooperation with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP), other partners, and the community. Visitors will explore interactive displays showcasing educational initiatives, research projects, and conservation efforts that continue to make a lasting impact on this natural treasure.
This free event is held in partnership with the 12 Days of Earth Day events organized by the City of Cannon Beach’s Parks & Community Services Committee. The lecture will take place on Thursday, April 17th at 4:00 PM at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, located at 1387 South Spruce Street, Cannon Beach, OR. Seating is limited, and guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.
Celebrate springtime and community at Hop Through History: A Family Fun Event at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum! On Saturday, April 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., families are invited to enjoy a festive day of games, learning, and laughter, all free and open to the public.
This special Easter weekend event is packed with fun activities for all ages. The highlight of the day is the Hop Through History Challenge, a self-guided scavenger hunt and movement game that leads visitors through interactive, history-themed stations throughout the museum. Complete bunny-inspired movement tasks and Cannon Beach trivia questions at each stop for a chance to win a prize!
Kick off the day with a classic Easter Egg Hunt from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., eggs will be hidden throughout the museum and filled with sweet treats, fun stickers, and nuggets of local history. Then from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., hop your way through the museum with the scavenger hunt and trivia challenge.
Young artists can take part in the Easter Coloring Contest, coloring sheets will be available throughout the day, and a winner will be announced at 3:00 p.m. And for the grown-ups, try your luck at Egg Roulette all day long! Pick a mystery egg and discover what’s inside, it might be a prize, a silly dare, or a playful way to support the museum with a donation.
Whether you’re a history buff, a trivia lover, or just looking for some springtime cheer, this event promises a fun and meaningful day for the whole family.
All activities take place at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, located at 1387 South Spruce Street in Cannon Beach, Oregon. For more information, visit www.cbhistory.org or follow the museum on social media.
Indulge your senses at The Art of Pairing: A Tea + Culinary Experience on Thursday, May 15 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum. This spring-inspired event is a flavorful four-course journey of artfully curated teas and light bites—perfect for tea lovers, food enthusiasts, and the culinary curious alike. From sweet delights to savory surprises, each course has been thoughtfully paired to ignite your palate and awaken the senses. This unique experience is brought to you by north coast locals Rainy Day Boards & Bakery and Ghost Ship Teas, in collaboration with the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum.
Tickets are $45 and extremely limited. Reserve your seat today by purchasing online at cbhistory.org, in person at the museum located at 1387 South Spruce Street in Cannon Beach, or by calling 503-436-9301. Don’t miss this flavorful celebration of community, creativity, and the art of pairing.
Join us at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum for a captivating exploration into the maritime history of the Pacific Northwest. On Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., historian Robert F. Bailey will present the story of the USS Shark as part of the Museum’s John Williams Lecture Series.
In the mid-19th century, the Columbia River Bar, often referred to as the “Graveyard of the Pacific,” proved treacherous even for the most experienced sailors. Two U.S. Navy vessels, the USS Peacock in 1841 and the USS Shark in 1846, were lost to these unpredictable waters despite warnings from seasoned captains in Hawaii and the cautious navigation of skilled commanders. Both captains were exonerated of any fault, yet Lieutenant Neil M. Howison, commander of the Shark, carried at least one unanswered question with him to his death in 1848.
More than 150 years later, a surprising discovery would shed new light on the mystery. Hidden for generations in an attic trunk, a letter written by an eyewitness to the Shark’s final days surfaced, revealing a crucial detail about what happened on September 10, 1846. This newly uncovered account continues to inspire fresh curiosity about the fate of the vessel and its enduring legacy. Bailey’s talk delves into this discovery and its impact on our understanding of 19th-century naval exploration.
Robert F. Bailey, a fifth-generation Californian and retired civil engineer, has spent years researching the lives, ships, and events that shaped the histories of Oregon and California. His engaging and well-researched presentations demonstrate how even long-lost letters and overlooked relics can offer powerful new insights into the past.
This event is free and open to the public, though seating is limited, early arrival is encouraged. Donations to the museum are appreciated and help support our ongoing educational programs and exhibitions. This lecture is generously sponsored by the Wayside Inn.
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!
The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum is excited to announce Fish, an inspiring new art exhibit by Indigenous artist Zoe “Fish” Swain, on display on the entryway wall of the museum. This stunning showcase highlights Zoe’s deep connection to water, life, and the natural world, bringing her love for aquatic life to vivid life on canvas.
Zoe’s artistic journey is shaped by her experiences growing up along the Columbia River and her childhood trips to Vancouver Island, BC, where her father taught her the art of fishing. Through these experiences, she developed a deep respect for the “scaly friends” she encountered, and this affection translates into each piece she creates. With Fish, Zoe aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving both fresh and saltwater ecosystems to ensure that fish and other aquatic life flourish for generations to come.
Zoe “Fish” Swain, who also serves as the Outreach Specialist at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, resides in Cannon Beach with her husband and daughter, both fellow artists, and their Chihuahua, Mabel. Her family’s artistic energy infuses her work, creating a vibrant collection that reflects her passion for conservation and the beauty of the natural world.
Join us for this unique exhibition that blends cultural heritage with an urgent call for environmental stewardship.