Pacific Maritime Heritage Center
For Immediate Release
Date: October 7, 2023
From: The Pacific Maritime Heritage Center & the Lincoln County Veterans Resource Center
Contact Persons: Susan Tissot, Executive Director, PMHC, 541-265-7509 or director@oregoncoasthistory.org AND Keith Barnes, Lincoln County Veterans Resource Center Officer, 541-265-0571 or kbarnes@co.lincoln.us
Event: The Veterans Quilt Project Exhibit Opening, Thursday, October 12, 2023, 4-6 PM at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, Newport, Oregon
Exhibition Run Dates: October 13, 2023 – January 14, 2024
The Pacific Maritime Heritage Center (PMHC) in partnership with the Lincoln County Veterans Resource Center, the Oregon Coast Quilters Guild and the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs is proud to announce the opening reception for the PMHC’s newest exhibition, The Veterans Quilt Project. The exhibit is a two-part exhibition, featured on the Mezzanine Gallery at the PMHC, and includes 20 quilts made for veterans by members of the Oregon Coast Quilters Guild and a digital version of the I Am Not Invisible (IANI) exhibition from the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Quilt Project exhibition opens on October 12, 2023, with a 4-6 PM reception. Light refreshments will be provided, and the reception is free and open to the public. Some on-site parking is available.
The Veterans Quilt Project exhibit commemorates the lives of veterans through quilts made for, presented to, and owned by veterans serving in all branches of the military. Behind every quilt is a unique human story and an opportunity to forge connections between civilians and veterans. Twenty veterans are represented in The Veterans Quilt Project exhibit which shares veteran’s quilts and personal stories of life after the military. The digital version of the IANI exhibit features stories of Oregon Women Veterans to raise awareness of the diverse women veteran community and their contributions to our military.
“To many times Veterans are boxed into only what they did while in the military.” Explained Keith Barnes (USAF Veteran) Lincoln County Veterans Service Officer. “We wanted to focus on what the veteran did outside of the military. Many forget that the time we spent in is very little compared to what we spend out. Many veterans go on to be leaders in our community, volunteer, become first responders, raise families, coach little league teams, and even write books. But sometimes when people hear we are veterans they only focus on what we did in the military. I think these are important stories to tell.”
“Approximately 10% of Lincoln County residents are veterans. Veterans bring extraordinary backgrounds and skill sets to the communities they reside in and yet there is a lot of misinformation that circulates about veterans. We think it is important to share the stories of the people in our community and this exhibit is an excellent example of a safe and interesting way to do so.” Stated Susan Tissot, Executive Director, Lincoln County Historical Society.
The Veterans Quilt Project exhibit is featured at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center from October 12, 2023 though January 14, 2024. Admission rates apply; LCHS members, children aged 12 and under and active-duty military get in free. During The Veterans Quilt Project exhibit run, museum admission is free for veterans and their spouses; sponsored by the Lincoln County Veterans Resource Center, the Lincoln County Historical Society, and the City of Toledo.
About the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center
The Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, located at 333 SE Bay Blvd in Newport’s Historic Bayfront, is one of two historic properties operated by the nonprofit Lincoln County Historical Society. The 30,000 sq ft flagship site, features panoramic views of Yaquina Bay, two changing exhibit galleries, three permanent galleries, the 121seat Doerfler Family Theater and a Museum Store. The theater includes an 18 ft screen and a self-serve menu of 15 short historic films for the museum visitor to select from. Hours of operation are Tuesday – Sunday 11 am – 4 PM. Onsite parking is available. Admission rates apply. Admission is free to LCHS Members, Active-Duty military, and children 12 & under. Family and group rates available.
Serving the public since 1948, the LCHS preserves the collective memory of Lincoln County and includes the Log Cabin Research Library Archive and 1895 Burrows House located at 545 SW 9th St., Newport. A sampling of historic images from the LCHS collection can be seen at: oregondigital.org. For more information visit: oregoncoasthistory.org or call 541-265-7509. Follow us on Instagram @lincolnco.historicalsociety or Twitter @maritime_center.