Welcome to the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
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We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Sitka, Alaska dedicated to preserving and sharing our region's rich maritime heritage. We are grateful to be able to share the rich heritage of this land of the Tlingit people since time immemorial.
Our main project is the rehabilitation of the Japonski Island Boathouse, a WWII Navy boat shop and marine railway, as a working maritime heritage center.
We produce a great newsletter full of historical and other articles on our maritime heritage, photographs and articles on Sitka's maritime history, a history blog, oral history programs and videos, activities, classes and other programs on maritime history, heritage and skills.
Join us! Become a member; contribute to our capital campaign; buy a book or hat!
THANK YOU to our members, donors and sponsors!
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Sitka, Alaska dedicated to preserving and sharing our region's rich maritime heritage. We are grateful to be able to share the rich heritage of this land of the Tlingit people since time immemorial.
Our main project is the rehabilitation of the Japonski Island Boathouse, a WWII Navy boat shop and marine railway, as a working maritime heritage center.
We produce a great newsletter full of historical and other articles on our maritime heritage, photographs and articles on Sitka's maritime history, a history blog, oral history programs and videos, activities, classes and other programs on maritime history, heritage and skills.
Join us! Become a member; contribute to our capital campaign; buy a book or hat!
THANK YOU to our members, donors and sponsors!
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Sitka Historical Walking Tour
click here to go to booking site
- 1 1/2 hour, easy terrain
- Historic downtown Sitka and waterfront
- The real, surprising story of Sitka, Tlingit America, Boston Men and sea otter, Russians, the U.S. Army, Missionaries and fishing boat building and more
- Knowledgeable local guide, small group
- $49 adult, $39 teens, kids free
- All proceeds support Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
Selected weekdays 1 - 2:30 pm Late May-Early June, more dates to come
Call or Email for custom tours, other dates, other topics
- Historic downtown Sitka and waterfront
- The real, surprising story of Sitka, Tlingit America, Boston Men and sea otter, Russians, the U.S. Army, Missionaries and fishing boat building and more
- Knowledgeable local guide, small group
- $49 adult, $39 teens, kids free
- All proceeds support Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
Selected weekdays 1 - 2:30 pm Late May-Early June, more dates to come
Call or Email for custom tours, other dates, other topics
"I have lived in Alaska for 45 years and in Sitka for 12. I thought I had a good grasp on the history of the area but in just 1 1/2 hours I learned so much more about the history of Sitka and Alaska. If you enjoy history or just want to learn more about this amazing place I highly recommend taking this tour."
- Review on our booking site, 5/31/2023
- Review on our booking site, 5/31/2023
Overview
A 1 1/2 hour walking tour on Japonski Island, showing the remains of the WWII Naval Air Base and US Army Coast Defenses, telling about how and why and the role in the war. Also includes the background of this place in the context of Tlingit Aani or Tlingit America and how it got to be part of the USA, with Russians and he circumstances of the Transfer of 1867, and more.
Email us to ask about adding custom date or time, or, about custom tours featuring commercial fishing and boatbuilding, missionaries, or other topics, at [email protected]
Highlights
Expert local guides have in depth knowledge of Sitka's history, beyond the stereotypes.
See the Japonski Island Boatshop, a WWII Navy Boat haulout, built circa 1941
Get the context and understanding how these massive military installations fit into the war in Alaska and the Pacific
Small group of 10 or fewer, except by request
Accessible, flat terrain.
A 1 1/2 hour walking tour on Japonski Island, showing the remains of the WWII Naval Air Base and US Army Coast Defenses, telling about how and why and the role in the war. Also includes the background of this place in the context of Tlingit Aani or Tlingit America and how it got to be part of the USA, with Russians and he circumstances of the Transfer of 1867, and more.
Email us to ask about adding custom date or time, or, about custom tours featuring commercial fishing and boatbuilding, missionaries, or other topics, at [email protected]
Highlights
Expert local guides have in depth knowledge of Sitka's history, beyond the stereotypes.
See the Japonski Island Boatshop, a WWII Navy Boat haulout, built circa 1941
Get the context and understanding how these massive military installations fit into the war in Alaska and the Pacific
Small group of 10 or fewer, except by request
Accessible, flat terrain.
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COME SAIL WITH US!
Once again Captain Blain Anderson is offering an "Intro To Sailing Class" to be held May 15th - 18th.
This is a very popular course and it fills up fast!
Email: [email protected] for more information or to sign up for a memorable experience.
Once again Captain Blain Anderson is offering an "Intro To Sailing Class" to be held May 15th - 18th.
This is a very popular course and it fills up fast!
Email: [email protected] for more information or to sign up for a memorable experience.
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A Short History of Sitka Alaska is now available online here or at Old Harbor Books and other stores in downtown Sitka.
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Our 2025 Annual Meeting
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"Mt. Edgecumbe Days"
Our Annual Meeting was February 26th at Harrigan Centennial Hall. This year our panel discussion was "Mt. Edgecumbe Days."
After a brief annual meeting, we'll host an open discussion and sharing of stories about living and working in the now vanished community of Mt. Edgecumbe. In the first half of the program, a panel of Sitkans, moderated by Eric Jordan, will share stories about growing up, living and working in the Mt. Edgecumbe community. In the second half of the program, audience members will share their own stories and questions.
Mt. Edgecumbe was the name of the federal community on Japonski, Alice and Charcoal Islands, that started after WWII when the Navy and Army facilities were turned over to various federal agencies, mainly the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Mt. Edgecumbe High School), and the Public Health Service, who built the Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital. Before the bridge was built in 1972, transportation across the Channel was by ferries called Shore Boats.
To help provide context and background, there will be maps, photos, artifacts, and an illustrated handout with the history of Japonski and neighboring islands.
This is a free event and coffee, tea and treats will be served. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
&
"Mt. Edgecumbe Days"
Our Annual Meeting was February 26th at Harrigan Centennial Hall. This year our panel discussion was "Mt. Edgecumbe Days."
After a brief annual meeting, we'll host an open discussion and sharing of stories about living and working in the now vanished community of Mt. Edgecumbe. In the first half of the program, a panel of Sitkans, moderated by Eric Jordan, will share stories about growing up, living and working in the Mt. Edgecumbe community. In the second half of the program, audience members will share their own stories and questions.
Mt. Edgecumbe was the name of the federal community on Japonski, Alice and Charcoal Islands, that started after WWII when the Navy and Army facilities were turned over to various federal agencies, mainly the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Mt. Edgecumbe High School), and the Public Health Service, who built the Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital. Before the bridge was built in 1972, transportation across the Channel was by ferries called Shore Boats.
To help provide context and background, there will be maps, photos, artifacts, and an illustrated handout with the history of Japonski and neighboring islands.
This is a free event and coffee, tea and treats will be served. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
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Click HERE to download our Fall 2024 Newsletter!
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THREE NEW GRANTS!
We're pleased to announce that we just received two $20,000 grants -- one for education and another for preservation -- from the Alaska Maritime Heritage Program. We also just received a $45,000 Historic Preservation grant.
The Maritime Heritage Education grant received will enable SMHS to document the stories of Sitka's Native fisherman, boatbuilders, cannery workers, and the lives of those who grew up and lived on Sitka's waterfront. The final product will be a short film highlighting Native involvement in Sitka's maritime history during the 20th Century.
The Maritime Heritage Preservation grant received will enable SMHS to begin the design and first phase of installing a fire suppression/sprinkler system in the Japonski Island Boathouse as well as continue rehabilitating the exterior of the boathouse.
The Historic Preservation Fund grant will enable us to install the second phase of our fire suppression/sprinkler system in the Japonski Island Boathouse as well as finishing off the interior of the new addition, and rehabilitate some of our exterior doors and windows.
Funds for this program come from a National Maritime Heritage Grant awarded to the State Historic Preservation Office via the National Park Service. The State Historic Preservation Office is partnering with the Natio9nal Park Service, and the Alaska State Libraries, Archives, and Museum to assist with evaluating both maritime preservation and education projects.
Additional information on the State Office of History and Archaeology and the Alaska Maritime Heritage Preservation Program can be found by going to: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha/maritime/amhpp.htm
The Maritime Heritage Education grant received will enable SMHS to document the stories of Sitka's Native fisherman, boatbuilders, cannery workers, and the lives of those who grew up and lived on Sitka's waterfront. The final product will be a short film highlighting Native involvement in Sitka's maritime history during the 20th Century.
The Maritime Heritage Preservation grant received will enable SMHS to begin the design and first phase of installing a fire suppression/sprinkler system in the Japonski Island Boathouse as well as continue rehabilitating the exterior of the boathouse.
The Historic Preservation Fund grant will enable us to install the second phase of our fire suppression/sprinkler system in the Japonski Island Boathouse as well as finishing off the interior of the new addition, and rehabilitate some of our exterior doors and windows.
Funds for this program come from a National Maritime Heritage Grant awarded to the State Historic Preservation Office via the National Park Service. The State Historic Preservation Office is partnering with the Natio9nal Park Service, and the Alaska State Libraries, Archives, and Museum to assist with evaluating both maritime preservation and education projects.
Additional information on the State Office of History and Archaeology and the Alaska Maritime Heritage Preservation Program can be found by going to: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha/maritime/amhpp.htm
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Click Here For Newsletter Winter 2023-24
Work Party Volunteer Opportunities
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The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society is holding volunteer work parties to restore exterior walls on the Japonski Island Boatshop. They take place Saturdays from 9 am to noon throughout the summer. Volunteers of all skill levels welcome. Volunteers should bring gloves and tools if they have them. Volunteers are welcome to come for part or all the time. Project leaders will provide training in historic preservation principles and methods. Coffee and snacks provided. Call 752-2335 or email [email protected] for more information!
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The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society offered a class, Sitka History for Tour Guides,April 26th at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
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2024 Sailing Class a Success!
We teamed up with Captain Blain Anderson of Sound Sailing to offer Introduction to Sailing May 3-7th in Sitka.
We are happy to be bringing more on-the-water training and fun boating opportunities to town and plan for this to be just the start! Members g0t $25 off the class and a portion of proceeds from this class go to support the SMHS.
The sailing portion lined up with incredibly beautiful weather on the Sound, complete with breaching whale!
We are happy to be bringing more on-the-water training and fun boating opportunities to town and plan for this to be just the start! Members g0t $25 off the class and a portion of proceeds from this class go to support the SMHS.
The sailing portion lined up with incredibly beautiful weather on the Sound, complete with breaching whale!
2023 Annual Meeting "Scows, Tenders and Fish Buyers" was February 23
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The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society Annual Meeting program “Scows, Tenders, and Fish Buyers: Pughs, Old Milwaukee, Kalinin Bay and Hole In the Wall, Stories of a Half Century on the Grounds” was February 23rd at the ANB Founders Hall.
During the first half of the program, a panel of Sitkans, moderated by Eric Jordan, shared stories of scows and other fish buyers, going back to the 1950s and up to the present. In the second half of the program, audience members shared their own stories and asked questions. A pugh is a spike on a pole, once used to move fish from the fishing boat to the buyer. Beer, ice cream bars, price wars and hand troller camps were other topics that came up in this live oral history event. Attendees also posted their own sites and recollections on a chart of southeast Alaska. The program was filmed and will be made available on this site. |
"1920: Murder in Chatham Strait" Dessert Fundraiser a Success
At our history and dessert fundraiser “1920: Murder in Chatham Strait,” on January 18th, Juneau author Betsy Longenbaugh and Ed Schoenfeld gave a well researched and fascinating presentation on a true historical crime involving floating entertainers. Their presentation shed light on the world, and underworld, of ostensibly "dry" (as in, no alcohol) maritime Alaska in the 1920s.
Along with this exclusive, fascinating presentation, was a delicious slice of cheesecake by Wild Flour bakery.
Thank you to everyone who came!
Betsy Longenbaugh is a former newspaper reporter, originally from Sitka, and author of Forgotten Murders from Alaska's Capital.
Along with this exclusive, fascinating presentation, was a delicious slice of cheesecake by Wild Flour bakery.
Thank you to everyone who came!
Betsy Longenbaugh is a former newspaper reporter, originally from Sitka, and author of Forgotten Murders from Alaska's Capital.
Click Here for Winter 2022 Newsletter
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Some 4H kids learning woodworking for preparing boat kits for the event. Photo Jasmine Shaw
Toy Boats Event was December 17
We once again held a free toy boat making and decorating event for children at the Boathouse. This year we partnered with Sitka 4H, and so we had some good times with youth learning woodworking and sharing some good jokes. The event itself was just as much fun, seeing the smiles and creativity of Sitka's up and coming youth. |
Pub Talk October 16th "Alexander Baranov The Man The Myth"
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Photo October 11 2021 by James Poulson, Daily Sitka Sentinel
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Open House, WWII Presentation and Tour
August 2022
An aerial view of Japonski, Alice and Charcoal Island in 1967. Come find out what, why and how the military built, and what remains!
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society offered a free presentation and short history walk on August 20, about the Navy and Army buildup on Japonski and neighboring islands during WWII and what can be seen today
For much of this information, go to the Maritime History tab on this site.
Portions of Sitka’s WWII defense installations are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Sitka Naval Operating Base and U.S. Army Coastal Defenses National Historic Landmark, a designation for properties of national historical significance.
There was also an open house at the Boathouse with information about recent work on the building and future plans. Recent work on the building is supported in part by a federal Historic Preservation Fund Certified Local Government grant, through the Alaska State Office of History and Archaeology to the City and Borough of Sitka.
For more information, email us at sitkamaritime at gmail.com.
For much of this information, go to the Maritime History tab on this site.
Portions of Sitka’s WWII defense installations are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Sitka Naval Operating Base and U.S. Army Coastal Defenses National Historic Landmark, a designation for properties of national historical significance.
There was also an open house at the Boathouse with information about recent work on the building and future plans. Recent work on the building is supported in part by a federal Historic Preservation Fund Certified Local Government grant, through the Alaska State Office of History and Archaeology to the City and Borough of Sitka.
For more information, email us at sitkamaritime at gmail.com.
Join SMHS or Renew Your Membership now
(valid through 03/2026):
Apply for the Board!
If you’d like to be even more involved in shaping the direction moving forward, we are looking for new board members. Do you have an interest in creating world class maritime heritage programs in an authentic WWII boat shop? Drop us a line by email or fill out this form to apply.
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