Emery, Serkin, Wilder Donate $10,000 for Maritime Center

New windows and siding are evident on the bay front structure that will become the Pacific Maritime & Heritage Center of the Lincoln County Historical Society.

Will Emery and Bonnie Serkin of Wilder, a mixed-use housing development in South Beach, have made a $10,000 challenge grant to the Pacific Maritime & Heritage Center of the Lincoln County Historical Society. The grant was successfully matched with funds earned by the Crab Krack fundraising event held in January.

“This donation gives a tremendous boost to the efforts to develop a world-class maritime and heritage center here in Newport,” Loretta Harrison, executive director of the Lincoln County Historical Society, said. “We can’t thank Will and Bonnie enough.”

Efforts to create the center are focused on fundraising, planning, and improving the structure and site. Improvements continue to be made including new windows and replacement siding for areas damaged by weather and other causes. Other work is being done inside with volunteers scheduling regular work parties.

Currently a campaign to raise funds for window replacement, called “Windows on Our Waterways,” is bringing in donations specifically to replace the many windows in the building.

For more information or to donate or volunteer, please call 541-265-7509.

The Lincoln County Historical Society, which includes the Burrows House and Log Cabin museums, is located at 545 SW Ninth Street in Newport. The museums are free and open to the public. The Burrows House Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Log Cabin Museum is open Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lincoln County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history of Lincoln County.