The 4H boatbuilding class in the Boathouse shop, spring of 2018. Photo by James Poulson.
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Welcome to the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
We are a nonprofit dedicated to preserving maritime heritage and to sharing that rich legacy with the public, especially children and youth.
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Recent News
4H Boatbuilding
Our most exciting news is our partnership with Sitka’s 4H program. Twelve youth ages 7 and up are building a small plywood boat, at the boathouse on Sunday afternoons in April and May. Boat building adult leaders are Paul Rioux, Tom Crane, Terry Perensovich, and Joe D’Arenzio. They are also planning a paddle making workshop with Mark Sixby at the Sitka National Historical Park in May.
Pacific Services forming up the addition foundation. Photo by Stan Barge.
Well, and it's also exciting to have a foundation and utilities in our new addition
This spring we are wrapping up work on phase one of our entry addition. Contractor Oceanside Excavation trenched and brought utilities into the building, and Pacific Services is finishing the concrete work on a stemwall foundation, pad for the new winch, entry deck, ramp and stairs.
This work is funded in part by a federal Certified Local Government grant from the State of Alaska Office of History and Archaeology, via the City and Borough of Sitka Historic Preservation Commission. A series of work parties over the winter did the groundwork for the foundation, repairing walls and documenting and moving the old winch and its shed. This entry, when complete, will have a year-round restroom, utilities, a new winch, and small lobby/office. The ultimate goal of the rehabilitation has the functioning woodshop in the southeast wing, boat haul out in the main work bay, and a multi-purpose exhibit and event space in the current store room wing. Oral History Video Project
The SMHS is using a small grant from the City and Borough of Sitka to digitize and to edit video for publication on line and for our exhibits. Local Lione Clair is doing this work in between her work as a naturalist this summer.
Thank you, Jenya!
Our intrepid, energetic and brainy Executive Director, Jenya Anitchtenko, has taken a job as the Sitka Historical Society’s new Curator. We wish her the best in this new position!
Long-time board member and artist Rebecca Poulson is taking on the Director job. We have lots of plans for the coming year, building on Jenya’s great work and creativity. We also are keeping the door open to hiring a motivated person interested in making this their career, who wants to grow the director job and the organization. If this is you, email us at sitkamaritime@gmail.com. |
Upcoming Events
Work Party May 19th
On Saturday, May 19th from 9:30 to noon we will be working on the Boathouse wall next to the new addition, preparing it for a layer of sheathing and repairing the siding. There will be work for all skill levels, and lunch (and coffee and bad jokes) are provided. Bring your own gloves!
4th of July Cruise: Herring History
Our annual fund-raising cruise this 4th of July will feature experts to talk about the history of herring.
The cruise departs from Crescent Harbor at 3:30 (boarding at 3:15) and returns at 6:30. Delicious snacks are provided. Our thanks to Allen Marine for making this possible. These are always enjoyable, with lots of wildlife sightings and natural history information. We will have knowledgeable speakers to tell about the traditional Tlingit management and use of herring and herring eggs, and to tell about the hisotry of commercial exploitation, from the reduction plants of the early 20th century to the sac roe fishery still carried out today. We will learn about some of what's known about the interactions of people, whales, and salmon with herring, and the impact of climate change. Even without becoming smarter this cruise is always a good time, as we share delicious snacks and see loads of wildlife. Tickets are $50 for adults and $30 for children 12 and under, and will be available at Old Harbor Books two weeks before the event, 907-419-0213 for more details. More for 2018
We have plans for the rest of the year, including more talks featuring local mariners and interesting boats, like the St. Lazaria, built as a trap tender in 1918 and still working. Also, check out the following:
✷ Our display case inside City Hall, ✷ Work parties ✷ A work party by Outer Coast College youth in August, and ✷ An open house/family day at the boathouse, with fun and interesting activities for the whole family. For the fall and winter, we are pursuing funding to complete the building renovation, planning boat repair and building classes, designing a new t-shirt, and conducting an art project. All good stuff! Thank you for your support! Spring 2018 Newsletter
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