Hanthorn Cannery Museum

About this museum

The Hanthorn Cannery Museum in Astoria, Oregon, offers a captivating and completely free glimpse into the salmon canning industry that once drove the economy of this historic Columbia River city. Located at 100 39th St, Astoria, OR 97103, on historic Pier 39, the museum is one of the most unique and memorable things to do in Astoria.The museum is housed in the last remaining cannery building on the Columbia River, giving visitors an authentic setting that powerfully evokes the era when Astoria was the salmon canning capital of the world. Inside, exhibits detail the grueling work of cannery laborers, the evolution of canning technology, and the social and economic forces that shaped the industry from the late 1800s through the twentieth century. Photographs, tools, and interpretive displays tell the stories of the diverse workforce, including many immigrant communities, who powered the canneries.Getting to the museum is part of the adventure. The drive out along Pier 39 over the water of the Columbia River is a memorable experience in itself, offering striking views of the river, the Astoria - Megler Bridge, and the surrounding landscape. The remote, over - water setting gives the museum an atmospheric quality that transports visitors back in time.The Hanthorn Cannery Museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, providing generous visiting hours throughout the week. Accessible parking and an accessible entrance are available on site.Astoria is a city rich with maritime heritage, and the Hanthorn Cannery Museum captures one of its most important chapters. As a free museum in Astoria, it offers an experience that is both educational and atmospheric, rewarding visitors who seek out stories beyond the tourist mainstream. If you are exploring the Oregon coast or looking for free things to do in Astoria, this cannery museum on Pier 39 is a destination that brings history to life in a setting you will not soon forget.