Lincoln County Historical Society, Newport

09/04/2026

Summer hasn't really ended, right? These hardy swimmers from the past arrived at Nye beach in a variety of swimwear. We can still hope for a little more summer and there’s no better time to take a look back at swimwear through the ages! This collection of photos and postcards from the LCHS photo archive depict swimmers and swimwear from the 1900s through the 1950s. Bathing suits of the early 20th century were long, loose-fitting garments that revealed very little skin on both men and women, generally made of wool or cotton. The trend of these garments becoming more form-fitting and revealing over time is very apparent in this set of photos. Advances in textile technology in the 1930s as well as manufacturing limitations and rationing during World War II saw an end to the era of wool swimwear, ushering in one of synthetic fibers that were stretchier, lighter, and dried more quickly than earlier swimwear.
See also a page from the 1900 Sears Roebuck catalog.

How much would you have guessed swimsuits sold for in 1900?

1900s: Moorhead family @ Nye Beach 1900, no photo credit (SC #395)
1910s: High Surf @ Nye Beach, 1910s, photographer Wesley Andrews (SC #4316)
1922: Nye Beach Bathers, 86.127.54 (SC #4317)
1948: Miss Newport, Beverly Jean Duncan @ Nye Beach
photographer Roger Hart (SC #4315)
1956 Yaquina Bay Centennial Celebration (SC #4314)
Sears Roebuck 1900 cover
Sears Roebuck bathing suit

08/15/2026

Join us at the Toledo Wooden Show today and tomorrow! We are screening our new documentary on boat building in Lincoln County in the boathouse. Hope to see you there!

08/04/2026

Ever wonder about the history of the mansion overlooking the Bayfront here in Newport? This video covers the history of the Bayley Mansion, built in 1890 and burned to its foundation in 1923. A new mansion was built upon the same foundation and was a family residence, a restaurant and night club, and finally the PMHC. Much more has been completed since this video was produced, including our Multipurpose Room and Maritime Library, but gives an excellent background on the history of the facility and features former Executive Director and local historian, Steve Wyatt.

This video covers the history of the Bayley Mansion, built in 1890 ...

07/17/2026

Join audiobook narrator Heather Henderson for live readings of the Curve of Time by M. Wylie Blanchet. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Yaquina Bay from our Doerfler Family Theater while listening to selected readings from this historical Pacific Northwest maritime memoir! This free event starts at 6pm this evening at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center here in Newport.

See the Oregon ArtsWatch article below:

Audiobook narrator Heather Anne Henderson will present the book, a travelogue about a widow and her children sailing the British Columbia waterways nearly a century ago.

07/02/2026

4th of July Jamboree at the PMHC! Doors open at 7:30pm, fireworks at 10:00pm.

*Pre-sale online tickets end at 2pm on Friday, so get your tickets now to get the deal! Walk-ins will still be welcome.*

View fireworks from our rooftop patio, Multipurpose Room patio, or from inside one of our alcoves. Enjoy pie, ice cream, games, puzzles, a silent auction, live music, movies in our theater, and our exhibit galleries at the 4th of July Jamboree at the PMHC! On site parking is limited, so arrive early to secure a spot.

Head to our website: oregoncoasthistory.org/jamboree to purchase tickets!

(Instagram: Link in Bio)

07/01/2026

Happy Summer from LCHS!

This postcard from the LCHS photo archive (c. 1910’s) shows a peculiar summer happening on Nye Beach described as “The Engagement Ring.” Onlookers gather to watch a group of men in swimwear crawling on their hands and knees holding each others’ ankles in a circle around two amused-looking ladies. Has anyone ever heard of such a ritual?

Originally published by Wesley Andrews of Baker, Oregon (loaned for duplication by Dawn Smith Feb 2000)

06/24/2026

Are you interested in pursuing museum work (or something adjacent) as a career? If so, apply to be an intern this summer! Last year our interns cataloged artifacts, created an exhibit and helped us with a grant funded project. This is a perfect opportunity for recent high school/college graduates or people on summer break to learn on the job and bolster their resume. We have a friendly, accommodating staff of museum professionals who can help tailor your experience to your interests! See the flyer for instructions on how to apply!

06/03/2026

The Pacific Maritime Heritage Center had a busy month of May. We had a visit from the Mombetsu Sister City Delegation and our Curator, Sachiko, gave them a tour of the museum and our Building Bridges of Friendship Since 1966 exhibit celebrating our Mombetsu connection. Our collaborative event with the Western Flyer Foundation was fun and educational and so special to have it docked right outside of the museum at Port Dock 5. We had our Annual Meeting, which included a talk by Bud Lane on the Confederated Tribes of Siltez Indians coupled with the opening of Oregon Voices, a traveling exhibit by the Oregon Historical Society. Our food service counter area in our Multipurpose Room was dedicated to JoAn McAdams, who has been an all-star volunteer and Board Member for over 20-years. There were seven other meetings, celebrations, and presentation rentals that we hosted in May. Thank you to all of those who attend our programs and events at the PMHC!

oregoncoasthistory.org/eventspmhc

Join us this Saturday at 2pm for the opening of our new Maritime Library!

05/12/2026

Join the Western Flyer Foundation and the Lincoln County Historical Society for an evening of film and conversation featuring The Western Flyer with Nick Offerman and a panel on cooperative fisheries science with local scientists and fishermen at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center at 5:30pm on Wednesday, May 20. Panel moderated by Jack Barth (Oregon State University). Follow the link below to purchase tickets.

https://secure.givelively.org/event/western-flyer-foundation/the-historic-western-flyer-pacific-northwest-fisheries-pmhc-newport

05/08/2026

The Port of Newport welcomes the return of the Western Flyer to Newport on Sunday, May 17, when the public can tour the vessel at J Dock at the Port's Recreational Marina from Noon - 3:30pm.

That same day, Hatfield Marine Science Center will host film screenings and a Q & A session. On Wednesday (May 20) the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center will also host screenings and a presentation. The full schedule of events can be found at: https://www.westernflyer.org/bringing-the-western-flyer-back-to-the-pacific-northwest/

"Built in Tacoma in 1937, the Western Flyer became famous when John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts sailed it to the Gulf of California for a 1940 marine science expedition, later chronicled in The Log from the Sea of Cortez. After decades of fishing, two sinkings, and a meticulous restoration led by the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op, the vessel now serves as a platform for ocean science research and education."

Visitors wishing to tour the vessel are advised that there is a fee to park in Port parking lots, however city street parking is available nearby.