Visiting The Cranberry Museum In Long Beach

The Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Foundation, was established in 1922, almost one hundred years ago, in Long Beach. Their goals, per their website are to fund cranberry research, maintain cranberry farms, produce cranberries on site to fund research & extension activities and provide an educational facility.

cranberries

Growing and Harvesting

Autumn is the harvest time for these small, red and delicious treats! Between September and November, farms across America are collecting their bounty.

But how are they grown? Cranberries are grown in bogs, which are “soft, marshy ground with acid peat soil, usually near wetlands, where the cranberries grown on long-running vines.” So, contrary to popular belief, they aren’t grown underwater. The night before the big harvest, the bogs are flooded with up to 18 inches of water! Why you ask? Well, this is how farmers and harvesters get the cranberries off of the vines, by stirring them in the water while churning. And according to the Ocean Spray website, “Each berry has a tiny pocket of air that allows it to float to the surface of the water.”

The Cranberry Museum

Open daily from April 1 – Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests can enjoy a self-guided tour of the museum. You can learn more about the different “varieties of cranberries, irrigation systems, and how crops are planted and cultivated.” That last part we already know about now, but how great would it be to see it firsthand?

If you’re interested in going in a group, make sure to contact them to arrange a tour!

cranberry museum
cranberries

Museum History

Maybe you’re skeptical, how do you know these guys know what they are talking about? Here’s some history on the museum.

The Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Foundation was originally formed to purchase the Cranberry Research Station, which was owned and operated by Washington State University. Back in 1992, the station was closed, which is when cranberry farmers formed the Foundation, bought the station and the 40 acres of farmland.

They are still supported by WSU. Working with the Foundation and museum is a PH. D., horticulturist, Kim Patten, who works as the station managers, extension specialist and agricultural researcher. There is also a research technician, scientists, post-doctoral researchers and graduate students.

cranberries

If you’re interested in more information, head over to their website to find out more information about upcoming events, recipes, and about their gift shop!

Photos by: Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Foundation

MacKenzie Passegger

MacKenzie Passegger is the face behind our various social media accounts, and also routinely writes articles on our blogs (that you’re hopefully enjoying). She's a Washington state native who found herself settling in Austria after bouncing around Europe. When her toddler isn’t keeping her on her toes, she enjoys cooking, craft beer & traveling back home. Being away from Washington allows her to have a different perspective and has deepened her love for the Evergreen State.

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