Clatsop County Heritage Society has a Tax Saving Donation Opportunity that helps our Scanning Center help the Community.
The Paul See Digital Scanning Initiative. Preserving History Through Digitization
In 2018, the devastating Aberdeen, WA Armory fire destroyed an irreplaceable local historical museum, highlighting the urgency of preserving historical documents and photographs. Inspired by this loss, the Clatsop County Historical Society (CCHS) launched a digital scanning initiative to safeguard our shared heritage for future generations.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Huisking Foundation, CCHS established a state-of-the-art digital scanning center, featuring professional high-speed scanners and access to the Internet Archive (IA)—the world’s largest online library with over 43 million books and documents.
Over the past five years, more than $206,000 in donations has enabled the center to hire a digital archivist and upload over 36 major collections. As of February 19, the initiative has digitized 3,858 documents—totaling 75,566 pages—and amassed over 332,000 views from history enthusiasts worldwide.
These donations have allowed CCHS to digitize its own substantial collection and help local organizations preserve their archives at no cost. Beneficiaries include the Seaside Museum, Warrenton Heritage Museum, the Astoria Golf and Country Club, Clatsop Plains Historical Records (including Gearhart and Surf Pines), Peace First Lutheran Church, the Westport, OR Collection, LCPS, and many more.
A Unique Opportunity to Double Your Impact
Now, we have an exciting opportunity to expand this work! A generous donor will match all contributions to the scanning center dollar for dollar—up to $20,000. We need your support to meet this goal by the end of 2025!
Your Support Preserves History
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all contributions to CCHS are tax-deductible. Your donation—no matter the size—will help ensure Clatsop County’s history remains accessible for future generations.
How You Can Help
- Mail: CCHS, PO Box 88, Astoria, OR 97103
- Phone: 503-325-2203
- Online: Donate with a credit or debit card at astoriamuseums.org/support-us/donate
(Be sure to specify that your gift is for the Scanning Center to count toward the match!)
Together, we can preserve the stories of our past. Don’t miss this chance to double your impact—help us unlock the full $20,000 match by contributing today!
Explore our growing collection on the Internet Archive and join us in safeguarding our region’s unique heritage.Every dollar makes a difference!
