The Fairgrounds Museum maximizes hands on and live experiences. Most display materials stay in the ownership of the museum, individual or organization which provides them. Live music, video and spoken presentations encourage audience participation. A 1,000 sq foot model railway entertains as well as celebrates the logging and commercial heritage of the region. Large format photography encourages group discussions about the way it was.
The Cohen/Means Video Art Center with vintage documentaries and films, slideshows, presentations and live music.
The museum fills a local and regional need for display space and heritage preservation in the "Land of the Oregon Myrtle." In 2004 a large model of the Gardiner Mill became homeless, no existing institutions were capable of providing the necessary 1200 sq feet nor mustering resources to care for and develop that display. A survery revealed similar local treasures without a home and without future preservation hopes. The concept of the Fairgrounds Museum evolved during the Winter of 2004/2005 with carfeul advice from Coos County Counsel and cooperation with local museums, tribal authorities, libraries, schools and community support organizations, in particular the Myrtle Point Lions Club.
Fine Art, Local Artists, Historic Photography, Albums, Library, Train Models, Mill Model, wagons, logging equipment, farming and ranching, historic recording and playback from cylinders to player pianos. Waterfall Garden with local plantings.
Local Fair History, Homes and Business Archives, microfilm, glass negatives, extensive video library, documentaries, early movies, western heritage collections, especially Tom Mix. Sanborn Map project. Pharmacy items. Muscial instruments. School histories. Family reunion support materials.
We work with 4-H in their presentations. We feature local authors, for instance Steven Myers and his theories about the building of pyramids.
Access: General Public
Appointment required: False