The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Sitka, Alaska. We formed in 1999 as part of an effort to rescue the Merlin, a schooner built in the 1880s that had sunk at Whale Bay. We raised the funds to have the Merlin raised, but could not afford the necessary repairs at that time and decided to turned the Merlin over to an organization in Washington state. SMHS has since made its primary focus restoring the historic Japonski Island Boathouse as a Maritime Heritage Center.
Who We AreExecutive Director
Andrew Miller -- sitkamaritime@gmail.com Board Rebecca Poulson, President Joe D'Arienzo, Vice President Mike Litman, Treasurer Matt Hunter, Secretary Linda Blankenship Tristan Guevin Chris Brewton John Dunlap  SMHS volunteer Joanna Perensovich dishes up black cod on Alaska Day. | Some of Our Work to Date Volunteers replace a Boathouse floor joist.
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society has had a presence in the community for more than a decade.
During that time we have slowly developed our educational mission by collecting photographs and oral histories and putting on annual maritime themed lectures. Meanwhile, volunteers have worked tirelessly on the Japonski Island Boathouse project. Volunteers have logged thousands of hours painting, doing foundation work and cataloging items in the Boathouse. Volunteers also have obtained grants and donations to hire an architect to draw plans for the Boathouse renovation and ultimately to fund the first stages of major Boathouse construction.  The Boathouse shortly after being obtained by the Maritime Heritage Society in 2004. |
