The humboldt bay maritime museum was founded in 1977. William Zerlang, a long time collector of marine artifact, and a group of colleagues sought to establish a local museum to preserve the rich maritime heritage of the entire humboldt bay region. Today the museum serves members, visitors and researchers throughout the nation.

The museum seeks to identify, collect, preserve and interpret artifacts, photographs, library archives and materials relating principally to the maritime history of california's north coast. we also strive to promote, educate, and assist the public in understanding and appreciating maritime heritage and local culture

over 20,000 digitally scanned photographs, art and other paper mediums, artifacts donated and collected over a period of decades, including, but not limited to shipwreck artifacts, 4th order fresnel lens and small skiffs. the museum owns two Floating vessels. the 1910 motor vessel madaket, which has been lovingly restored and is coast guard certified to carry passengers. The second is the 1917 fishing vessel stephanie which is undergoing restoration.