Welcome to the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
=========================================
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!
=========================================
Murder and Dessert: The Birdman of Alcatraz
Buy Ticket Here
Saturday January 24th 7 pm the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society will host a Murder and Dessert fundraiser at Harrigan Centennial Hall, featuring true-crime author Betsy Longenbaugh and Ed Schoenfeld with the story of the Birdman of Alcatraz, Robert Stroud.
In 1909, the 18-year-old murdered a man in Juneau, over pay to a woman working as a prostitute for him. Find out the complicated story of the killer even other convicts found disturbingly pathological, and the distance between the movie portrayal and his criminal justice history.
Betsy Longenbaugh is the author of two books: Forgotten Murders from Alaska's Capital, and the novel Death in the Underworld, with a further book on Alaska true crime due out soon. Learn about them Here. She and husband Ed Schoenfeld, her partner in research, are also talented presenters, and enthrall audiences by bringing us vividly into the world and people--good and bad--of another time.
The event includes a delicious, catered dessert.
Tickets are $40 Here or at Old Harbor Books. For more information email or call (907) 623-8054.
In 1909, the 18-year-old murdered a man in Juneau, over pay to a woman working as a prostitute for him. Find out the complicated story of the killer even other convicts found disturbingly pathological, and the distance between the movie portrayal and his criminal justice history.
Betsy Longenbaugh is the author of two books: Forgotten Murders from Alaska's Capital, and the novel Death in the Underworld, with a further book on Alaska true crime due out soon. Learn about them Here. She and husband Ed Schoenfeld, her partner in research, are also talented presenters, and enthrall audiences by bringing us vividly into the world and people--good and bad--of another time.
The event includes a delicious, catered dessert.
Tickets are $40 Here or at Old Harbor Books. For more information email or call (907) 623-8054.
Thanks to you, our volunteers, supporters, and donors, we have had a successful, fun and productive year in 2025, and are looking to a big year in 2026! THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to our end-of-year fundraising campaign Boathouse 2026 Strong. Our big project this year, installation of our fire suppression system, went over the amount reimbursable by grants we had. This campaign is already at 2/3 of our goal of $12,000, to rebuild our funds so we can rehire our Director Keith Nyitray, who we had to let go in October. There is still time to contribute before the end of 2025!
Construction, Activities, Milestones in 2025:
⭐ Accessible Restroom! ⭐ Sitka Historical Walking Tours (sitkahistoricwalkingtours.com) ⭐ Fire Suppression System ⭐ Finishing out former furnace room, utility restroom, exterior siding, handrails, doors and so much more ⭐ Oral history interviews and film It All Comes Back at our YouTube channel!
Some Events in 2025:
⭐ Betsy Longenbaugh’s “Death of a Rumrunner” Murder and Dessert ⭐Annual Meeting oral history and publication “Mt. Edgecumbe Days” ⭐ Brooks Range Trek Presentation ⭐WWII History 4th of July Cruise, ⭐ History for Tour Guides class ⭐ Intro to Sailing class ⭐Wooden box class for 4H ⭐Pub Talk on Whales ⭐Toy Boat Building for kids, youth volunteers... and more!
Coming Up:
⭐ Historic Preservation Fund grant through the City and Borough of Sitka, for insulation, heating and completion of our exhibit wing, and catwalk connecting building interior ⭐ Murder and Dessert fundraiser on the Bird Man of Alcatraz with author Betsy Longenbaugh. ⭐ Our Annual Meeting featuring the U.S. Coast Guard ⭐ Maritime Heritage Grant “Vanished World,” film, stories and the photographs of Matt Donohoe about fishing communities in the 1980s ⭐ Maritime Block Printing class ⭐ More Walking Tours ⭐ Move toward year-round operation! ⭐ Saturday morning work parties, 9-noon at the Boathouse
See our newsletter and website for details of grants, construction, contractors, volunteers, donors and sponsors!
Every dollar you contribute goes right back into the community. You are part of building Sitka’s future economy and connecting youth, visitors and Sitkans with our rich, living maritime heritage. Talk to your accountant about potential tax advantages of donating.
And as ever, contact us, share your ideas, get involved as we move into full operation!
Thank you for your support!
The Board of the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society and former, and hopefully future, Director:
Mike Litman,
Joe D’Arienzo,
Bruce Gazaway,
Dave Turcott,
Stan Barge,
Rebecca Poulson,
Keith Nyitray
Construction, Activities, Milestones in 2025:
⭐ Accessible Restroom! ⭐ Sitka Historical Walking Tours (sitkahistoricwalkingtours.com) ⭐ Fire Suppression System ⭐ Finishing out former furnace room, utility restroom, exterior siding, handrails, doors and so much more ⭐ Oral history interviews and film It All Comes Back at our YouTube channel!
Some Events in 2025:
⭐ Betsy Longenbaugh’s “Death of a Rumrunner” Murder and Dessert ⭐Annual Meeting oral history and publication “Mt. Edgecumbe Days” ⭐ Brooks Range Trek Presentation ⭐WWII History 4th of July Cruise, ⭐ History for Tour Guides class ⭐ Intro to Sailing class ⭐Wooden box class for 4H ⭐Pub Talk on Whales ⭐Toy Boat Building for kids, youth volunteers... and more!
Coming Up:
⭐ Historic Preservation Fund grant through the City and Borough of Sitka, for insulation, heating and completion of our exhibit wing, and catwalk connecting building interior ⭐ Murder and Dessert fundraiser on the Bird Man of Alcatraz with author Betsy Longenbaugh. ⭐ Our Annual Meeting featuring the U.S. Coast Guard ⭐ Maritime Heritage Grant “Vanished World,” film, stories and the photographs of Matt Donohoe about fishing communities in the 1980s ⭐ Maritime Block Printing class ⭐ More Walking Tours ⭐ Move toward year-round operation! ⭐ Saturday morning work parties, 9-noon at the Boathouse
See our newsletter and website for details of grants, construction, contractors, volunteers, donors and sponsors!
Every dollar you contribute goes right back into the community. You are part of building Sitka’s future economy and connecting youth, visitors and Sitkans with our rich, living maritime heritage. Talk to your accountant about potential tax advantages of donating.
And as ever, contact us, share your ideas, get involved as we move into full operation!
Thank you for your support!
The Board of the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society and former, and hopefully future, Director:
Mike Litman,
Joe D’Arienzo,
Bruce Gazaway,
Dave Turcott,
Stan Barge,
Rebecca Poulson,
Keith Nyitray
As we transition to operation, programming, and sustainable income, and to keep up the incredible momentum we have had, we needed to raise funds so we can keep our Executive Director, Keith Nyitray.
Completing the fire suppression system cost us more than we had budgeted for, so we had to lose our director at the end of October until we could make up the difference. |
We are launching our Boathouse 2026 Strong campaign with a goal of raising $12,000 by the end of December. If you or your business can pitch in, this would be a great time for it. All donors of $1,000 or more will be permanently named in the building. To contribute, go to our online form here, call us at (907) 623-8054 or email [email protected]. You can also mail your contribution to Sitka Maritime Heritage Society, P. O. Box 2153, Sitka Alaska 99835, or bring to our table at WhaleFest November 7-9, or bring to the Boathouse on Saturday mornings! Thank You! - The Board and (soon-to-be former) Staff of the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society |
Sitka Historical Walking Tours
click here to go to booking site
Special Downtown Historical Walking Tour for WhaleFest, Thursday November 6, 2025
Thursday, November 6 we will do a special downtown Sitka Historical Walking Tour, with a special focus on the sea otter in Sitka's history and landscape. You'll learn about the Tlingit sales of pelts in the international trade, the late arrival of Russians into southeast Alaska, the impact of the underground nuclear test on this day in 1971, and how it all played out to shape Sitka's historic landscape.
Sign up for the tour and enter the discount code WHALE for 50% discount from normal price. For questions email [email protected] or call 907 623-8054
Thursday, November 6 we will do a special downtown Sitka Historical Walking Tour, with a special focus on the sea otter in Sitka's history and landscape. You'll learn about the Tlingit sales of pelts in the international trade, the late arrival of Russians into southeast Alaska, the impact of the underground nuclear test on this day in 1971, and how it all played out to shape Sitka's historic landscape.
Sign up for the tour and enter the discount code WHALE for 50% discount from normal price. For questions email [email protected] or call 907 623-8054
Selected weekdays 1 - 2:30 pm Summer, email for custom dates
- 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
Call or Email for WWII and custom tours, custom date or time
- 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
Call or Email for WWII and custom tours, custom date or time
"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
=========================================
Click HERE to download our Fall 2025 Newsletter!
=========================================
A Short History of Sitka Alaska is now available online here or at Old Harbor Books and other stores in downtown Sitka.
=========================================
|
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society with Sitka 4H held our free toy boat making activity for kids on Saturday afternoon, December 13th at the Japonski Island Boathouse.
Each participant made and painted a small wood boat and decorate it as the vessel of their choice. The SMHS partnered with Sitka 4H, who helped prepare the boat parts and provided assistance at the event. Once again it was a big hit, lots of satisfied young makers! |
Our 2025 Annual Meeting
&
"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.
=========================================
Click HERE to download our Fall 2024 Newsletter!
======================================
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 federal Maritime Heritage program, through the Alaska Office of History and Archaeology. We also just received a $45,000 federal Historic Preservation grant, also through the Alaska State Historic Preservation Office.
The Maritime Heritage Education grant received will enable SMHS to document the stories of Sitkans who grew up and lived on Sitka's waterfront. The final product will be a short film of waterfront life in 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 some exterior work.
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 Sitkans who grew up and lived on Sitka's waterfront. The final product will be a short film of waterfront life in 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 some exterior work.
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
======================================
Click Here For Newsletter Winter 2023-24
Work Party Volunteer Opportunities
|
|
|
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!
=========================================
|
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society offered a class, Sitka History for Tour Guides, April 26th 2025 at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
|
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
|
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
|
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"
|
Photo October 11 2021 by James Poulson, Daily Sitka Sentinel
|
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.
Want to get involved?
Subscribe to our email list to be notified of upcoming events and new volunteer opportunities.