Events in 2020
Toy Boat Kits for Kids,
May and December:
2020 Annual Meeting "Close Calls and Lessons Learned"
All photos by James Poulson, Daily Sitka Sentinel
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Our Annual Meeting for 2020 had the theme Close Calls and Lessons Learned. It was entertaining and informative!
We were inspired to create a checklist for boating safety, which is Here.
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SMHS Events 2019
Toy Boat Making 2019
Photos below are by James Poulson, Sitka Sentinel, 2019
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Sea Songs & Chanteys by Don Sineti
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Earthquake: Revisited
A video of a panel of Sitkans in 2014 on the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Alaska Earthquake. Really great stories, including Bob Allen's gripping account of rescuing people and coming together on Kodiak Island, Bill Davis's story of his part in leading the response in Anchorage, and Willis Osbakken and Larry Calvin telling about the experience in Sitka.
In 2019 we showed the video at the library on the occasion of the Alaska Day theme of First Responders. |
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Boathouse Open House
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Boathouse Work Parties - Summer 2019
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4th of July Cruise 2019 - History & Wildlife Galore!
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The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society would like to extend a huge thank you to all who contributed to the wonderful success of our 4th of July History & Wildlife Cruise! We were extremely fortunate to have calm waters and clear, sunny skies throughout the trip, and were treated to sightings of otters, diving humpback whales, puffins, cormorants, murres, and a peregrine falcon and its chicks.
We would especially like to thank Allen Marine for their generosity in helping us with the cruise arrangements and the captain and crew (Greg, Emma, Molly, and Dillon) who were nothing but excellent! During the outbound trip, Rebecca Poulson took us on a fascinating journey through Sitka’s history with her talk on shipbuilding at Sitka, and once we reached St. Lazaria, naturalist Matt Goff made the journey even more special by sharing his wealth of wildlife knowledge with our passengers. Thank you so much to both!
We also want to thank Ian Crane for baking dozens of delicious cookies and cupcakes, Old Harbor Books for helping out with ticket sales, all the locations that allowed us to hang posters, and local media for helping to get the word out about our cruise, including KCAW, KIFW, Sitka Soup, and The Daily Sitka Sentinel.
Finally, thank you to the community of Sitka for your incredible support of the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society.
We would especially like to thank Allen Marine for their generosity in helping us with the cruise arrangements and the captain and crew (Greg, Emma, Molly, and Dillon) who were nothing but excellent! During the outbound trip, Rebecca Poulson took us on a fascinating journey through Sitka’s history with her talk on shipbuilding at Sitka, and once we reached St. Lazaria, naturalist Matt Goff made the journey even more special by sharing his wealth of wildlife knowledge with our passengers. Thank you so much to both!
We also want to thank Ian Crane for baking dozens of delicious cookies and cupcakes, Old Harbor Books for helping out with ticket sales, all the locations that allowed us to hang posters, and local media for helping to get the word out about our cruise, including KCAW, KIFW, Sitka Soup, and The Daily Sitka Sentinel.
Finally, thank you to the community of Sitka for your incredible support of the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society.
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Boathouse 2020 KickoffThere was a great turnout for our kick off to the Boathouse 2020 campaign on Saturday, June 1, 2019. While the boathouse is a very special building on its own, nothing compares to seeing it alive and buzzing with activity! Families had fun playing a boat matching game and almost no one could resist trying their hand at the knot board set up in the corner. Guests were also treated to a sneak peek of the upcoming exhibit on fishing in Sitka. All this fun was accompanied by root beer floats and 100+ cupcakes on offer. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon for kids and adults alike!
We believe Saturday was just a glimpse into the future of the Japonski Island Boathouse as the Boathouse 2020 Capital Campaign will complete the building phase of the rehabilitation project. We look forward to having the Boathouse open to the public with regularly scheduled programming and events for the community. Boathouse 2020 will allow the Boathouse to be filled with life and activity on a full-time basis! A special thanks to SeaMart for their contribution to the event, Tom Crane for sharing his musical talents, Cindy Litman and Kathy Hope Erickson for bringing in cupcakes, and to all the folks who came out and donated to the Boathouse 2020 campaign on Saturday. |
Columbia Rediviva Pub TalkThe Pub Talk on the Columbia Expedition by Brinnen Carter. We learned about his ancestor Benjamin Popkins, life aboard the Columbia Rediviva, and even got a chance to view some family artifacts! A big thank you to Brinnen, everyone who joined us (on a sunny day, no less!), and Baranof Island Brewing Company
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Knot Tying WorkshopSaturday's Knot-Tying Workshop was the definition of "Hands-on Learning"!
From Square Knots to the Trucker's Hitch we learned how to create a variety of knots and -crucially- when to use them. "The Knots You Need" Workshop was practical, informative, and also a lot of fun. All participants walked away with a good foundation in knot-tying along with a length of line and instruction manual for practice. Thanks to everyone who joined this class for bringing such enthusiasm and a big thank you to instructor Stan Barge for sharing his wealth of knowledge! |
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Arctic Sailing Pub TalkJoin us on Monday, February 25th at the Baranof Island Brewery sailors Erik de Jong and Krystina Scheller shared their experiences aboard their sailing vessel Bagheera on ventures north with scientists, researchers, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts, and their project to build an adventure boat here in Sitka.
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Tall Ships Pub Talk
Laurent DeViche shared stories about his time on the Lady Washington and tall ships in an entertaining clear and fun way! Now we all know what a baggywrinkle is and the difference between a capstan and a windlass! Heave away!
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2019 Annual Meeting:
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2018 Wrap Up
This year we made major progress on the building, with the foundation for an accessible entry and toilet, and restoring the walls of the historic Japonski Island Boathouse, toward our goal of a functioning maritime heritage center. We received a new Historic Preservation Fund grant, to close in the addition, and continue work on the building restoration.
This spring we had to sadly say goodbye to our intrepid and brainy director, Jenya Anichtchenko, as she went on to take a full-time position as Curator of the Sitka History Museum. Rebecca Poulson stepped in to take the part-time position of SMHS director, after serving many years on the board. We are also welcoming Edie Leghorn, who will be helping out part time this winter.
Even as we work toward the goal of an operating maritime heritage center, we didn’t slack in fulfilling our mission, of documenting and sharing our unique maritime history:
All this progress depends on memberships and donations like yours. We hope you will consider supporting the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society in 2018 if you haven't yet.
As elders pass, and children grow, the work we do is ever more important in preserving our rich traditions, and endowing our youth with a sense of place, competence, and identity.
As a special thanks, memberships and donations in November and December get you a cool sticker of our logo, and your membership extends through February 2020. You can join on line, or mail in your membership. And as always, membership gets you 20% discount on merchandise!
Thank you for being part of preserving and sharing Sitka’s great maritime heritage.
Rebecca Poulson, Executive Director, Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
Mike Litman, Board President
Joe D’Arienzo, Treasurer
Karen Mead, Secretary
Josh Wisniewski, Board
Stan Barge, Board
Anthony Vlahovich, Board
Brinnen Carter, Board
This spring we had to sadly say goodbye to our intrepid and brainy director, Jenya Anichtchenko, as she went on to take a full-time position as Curator of the Sitka History Museum. Rebecca Poulson stepped in to take the part-time position of SMHS director, after serving many years on the board. We are also welcoming Edie Leghorn, who will be helping out part time this winter.
Even as we work toward the goal of an operating maritime heritage center, we didn’t slack in fulfilling our mission, of documenting and sharing our unique maritime history:
- We held maritime heritage events, including a Pub Talk at the Mean Queen on the Northwest Passage transit of the USCG Maple, and had the wonderful “Tales of the Boatshop” at the shop itself, by the daughters of Bob Modrell, the shipwright who ran the Japonski Island marine ways for decades. In October, Josh Wisniewski and Richard Nelson shared their experiences learning from Northwest Arctic hunters, 40 years apart. Also in October we had a fantastic evening of sea songs, chanteys and stories by Don Sineti at the Beak restaurant.
- Our 2018 Annual Meeting, on Family Fishing Stories, was once again an enjoyable look at Sitka’s maritime heritage through the eyes of our fellow Sitkans.
- We partnered with the Sitka 4H Club to help very young people build two small sailing boats, and in July we hosted a crew of high school students attending the Outer Coast Summer Seminar for a productive afternoon of carpentry, painting, cleaning, and cataloguing artifacts.
- We held a Fourth of July history and culture cruise, thanks to Allen Marine, on the history of herring; had a float in the Fourth of July parade; presented at the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce; hosted a book fair at Paths Across the Pacific; and had a half dozen volunteer work parties.
- We received important and interesting maritime artifacts, and, thanks to a Museums Alaska grant last year, we were able to begin cataloguing our collection into a Past Perfect database.
- We finally have some of our annual meeting videos on line, thanks to a small grant from the City and Borough Assembly, which funded editing work by Lione Clare, and we updated the website.
- On December 1 we will have a toy boat building activity for kids at the Boathouse. Children learn hands-on, solve problems, build confidence and have the satisfaction of making and decorating a boat of their own.
All this progress depends on memberships and donations like yours. We hope you will consider supporting the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society in 2018 if you haven't yet.
As elders pass, and children grow, the work we do is ever more important in preserving our rich traditions, and endowing our youth with a sense of place, competence, and identity.
As a special thanks, memberships and donations in November and December get you a cool sticker of our logo, and your membership extends through February 2020. You can join on line, or mail in your membership. And as always, membership gets you 20% discount on merchandise!
Thank you for being part of preserving and sharing Sitka’s great maritime heritage.
Rebecca Poulson, Executive Director, Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
Mike Litman, Board President
Joe D’Arienzo, Treasurer
Karen Mead, Secretary
Josh Wisniewski, Board
Stan Barge, Board
Anthony Vlahovich, Board
Brinnen Carter, Board
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.
Oral History Video Project
The SMHS used 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 did this work in between her work as a naturalist this summer.
Click Here to go to our oral history video page.
Click Here to go to our oral history video page.
SMHS Awarded Grant
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Outer Coast Summer Seminar Students Lend a HandOn July 13th, Outer Coast Summer Seminar students - 16 rising high school juniors and seniors - and two coordinators spent an incredibly fun and productive afternoon volunteering at the Japonski Island Boathouse.
Students replaced sheathing inside the rebuilt wall of the storage room, they painted the 4H dinghies, weeded and brushed around the building, painted some exterior siding, cleaned and tidied the workshop, and helped begin the process of cataloguing the SMHS historical collections. We had a great time meeting these exceptionally friendly and intelligent young people and wish them the best in the remainder of their time in Sitka! |
Foundation and Utilities for Addition |
Maritime Display at City HallCheck out our new display at City Hall (100 Lincoln Street) lobby. It features some recent additions to our collections and a little bit of information about them. See more on our Collections page.
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This summer we wrapped up work on phase one of our entry addition. Contractor Oceanside Excavation trenched and brought utilities into the building, and Pacific Services built a stemwall foundation, pads 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. |
Pacific Services forming up the addition foundation. Photo by Stan Barge.
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The 4H boatbuilding class in the Boathouse shop, spring of 2018. Photo by James Poulson.
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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, May and June. Boat building adult leaders are Paul Rioux, Tom Crane, Terry Perensovich, and Joe D’Arenzio.
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The SMHS has just won a Historic Preservation Fund grant for closing in the new addition and rebuilding the west wall (the long wall that faces Airport Road).
The grant is for $25,000 and will allow us to continue work on the historical rehabilitation of the Japonski Island Boathouse for reuse as a maritime heritage center.
Work will start this winter, with advertising for a contractor and getting necessary permits. Work on the original wall will be largely by volunteers in work parties.
The grant is for $25,000 and will allow us to continue work on the historical rehabilitation of the Japonski Island Boathouse for reuse as a maritime heritage center.
Work will start this winter, with advertising for a contractor and getting necessary permits. Work on the original wall will be largely by volunteers in work parties.
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Listen (or Read) About SMHS on Raven Radio
Earlier this summer we were invited by the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce (which also operates Visit Sitka) to present at their weekly luncheon - here's the story by radio station KCAW.
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The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society held a toy boat building activity for kids, from 1-3 pm on December 1 at the Japonski Island Boathouse. We had fun!! Photos above by James Poulson and Edie Leghorn.
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Don Sineti at the Beak
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society and Sitka WhaleFest presented an evening of sea songs and shanties and stories performed by Don Sineti, October 30th at the Beak restaurant. This was a great time, a wonderful atmosphere for enjoying Don's warm and engaging personality.
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Anthropologists Richard Nelson and Josh Wisniewski Talk Video (Click for Link)
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society sponsored a talk by anthropologists Richard Nelson and Josh Wisniewski, Tuesday, October 9th downstairs at the Mean Queen.
Richard Nelson and Josh Wisniewski each had the opportunity to document traditional knowledge and hunting practices of Inupiaq hunting communities in Northwest Alaska, forty years apart: Richard during 1964-66, and Josh between 2004-2010. Both were granted the gift of direct experience and participation in hunting life, which had a profound, even transformative, influence on their lives. They shared their experiences and observations on culture, learning, hunting and the environment, across 40 years of change in the Arctic.This was a unique presentation, the opportunity to listen in to a conversation between two thoughtful persons, reflecting on their experiences from their young adulthood. The talk was recorded and is available on Youtube at this link. |
Open House September 22
Thanks everyone for coming out!
4th of July Cruise: Herring History
Our annual fund-raising cruise this 4th of July featured comments from experts about the history of herring. Harvey Kitka, who has participated in herring and herring egg harvest all his life, spoke about the techniques of harvesting and using, and the changes over the years. Josh Wisnewski told about the archaeological evidence for the importance of herring to the earliest residents of the coast 10,000-14,000 years ago, and to people here in Sitka Sound. He later gave a short history of the commercial herring reduction fishery, from the decimation of the whales in the region through the collapse of many herring runs caused by the reduction fishery. Louise Brady gave the Tlingit cultural context for herring and herring eggs with a traditional story of people and herring, touching on local landmarks and a strong moral to not be greedy.
We also had incredibly beautiful weather this year; it is always interesting and enjoyable.
Thank you to everyone who participated!
We also had incredibly beautiful weather this year; it is always interesting and enjoyable.
Thank you to everyone who participated!
4H Kids Build Boats
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.
Photos below by James Poulson.
Photos below by James Poulson.
2018 Sitka Maritime Heritage Society Annual Meeting was March 21
Our big event in March was our Annual Meeting: Family Fishing Stories, The Challenges and Joys of Working on the Sea with your Relatives. This was held on March 21st at Harrigan Hall.
This was a funny and inspiring look at the ins and outs of fishing with kids, parents, and other relatives. We heard stories about firing your mother, and getting fired by your father (three times in one day!), barely-averted tragedies, and the genius strategy of “lookout and decoy:” the kids spot and wave to passing boats, as Mom and Dad hide, pretending fishing is slow.
This was a funny and inspiring look at the ins and outs of fishing with kids, parents, and other relatives. We heard stories about firing your mother, and getting fired by your father (three times in one day!), barely-averted tragedies, and the genius strategy of “lookout and decoy:” the kids spot and wave to passing boats, as Mom and Dad hide, pretending fishing is slow.
Some of our posters from 2017-18 Events:
Activities since fall of 2017 included our Pub Talks series, starting with The Princeton Hall Story, at the Beak restaurant, in October. Owner Kathy Ruddy told the history and stories of this 60-foot wooden yacht, built in Sitka as a mission boat, in part by young men from the Sheldon Jackson High School.
We also held Sea Chanteys and Stories from the Days of Moby Dick, an evening of sea chanteys and stories from the inimitable Don Sineti, at the Beak restaurant, in November.
Also in November, we had an early birthday celebration for the FV Cummins, whose keel was laid a hundred years ago, at The Story of the Cummins, held at the Baranof Brewery. This was a fascinating look at the origin of the Cummins company and the family behind it.
Also during WhaleFest week, the SMHS was beneficiary of a fundraiser Whale Blues, at the Mean Queen by the excellent Sitka Blues Band.
In December, Jerry Dzugan told about the infamous local character Alexander Pihl, in a talk called Alexander Pihl: In the Land of Dreams and Illusions.
Perhaps most memorable, and most historic, was Tales of the Boatshop Through the Eyes of Bob Modrell’s Daughters. This event, held in January at the boat shop, included footage (in color!) of Japonski Island life, Lincoln Street, and of course, boats. Presented by Kathy Snelling, Mary Bowen, and Roberta Modrell, this was well attended and a thrilling connection of the historical use of the building with us today.
In February, we hosted the USCGC Maple’s Historic Transit Through the U.S. and Canadian Arctic, at the Mean Queen. This was another great, well attended program, hearing crew members tell first hand about logistics and the scientific work accomplished, and their impressions of the North West Passage.
We also held Sea Chanteys and Stories from the Days of Moby Dick, an evening of sea chanteys and stories from the inimitable Don Sineti, at the Beak restaurant, in November.
Also in November, we had an early birthday celebration for the FV Cummins, whose keel was laid a hundred years ago, at The Story of the Cummins, held at the Baranof Brewery. This was a fascinating look at the origin of the Cummins company and the family behind it.
Also during WhaleFest week, the SMHS was beneficiary of a fundraiser Whale Blues, at the Mean Queen by the excellent Sitka Blues Band.
In December, Jerry Dzugan told about the infamous local character Alexander Pihl, in a talk called Alexander Pihl: In the Land of Dreams and Illusions.
Perhaps most memorable, and most historic, was Tales of the Boatshop Through the Eyes of Bob Modrell’s Daughters. This event, held in January at the boat shop, included footage (in color!) of Japonski Island life, Lincoln Street, and of course, boats. Presented by Kathy Snelling, Mary Bowen, and Roberta Modrell, this was well attended and a thrilling connection of the historical use of the building with us today.
In February, we hosted the USCGC Maple’s Historic Transit Through the U.S. and Canadian Arctic, at the Mean Queen. This was another great, well attended program, hearing crew members tell first hand about logistics and the scientific work accomplished, and their impressions of the North West Passage.
Underwater Archaeology in Redoubt Lake
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Museum walk open house, March 31, 2017
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On Friday, March 31st 2017 Sitka held a Museum Walk as part of the observance of the 150th anniversary of the Alaska Treaty of Cession.
At the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society we had model boats to build and decorate, using cleverly pre-cut parts and hot glue and paint. We had knots and rope work to try, and, a model of a boat hull to practice your caulking (pronounced corking - when you pound cotton into the seams to firm up a wood boat hull).
We had cookies, coffee and tea and cocoa, as well as artifacts and information about our rich maritime heritage.
Other participants were the Sitka History Museum at Centennial Hall, St. Michael's Cathedral, the Sitka National Historical Park, the Russian Bishop's House, and the Sheldon Jackson Museum.
At the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society we had model boats to build and decorate, using cleverly pre-cut parts and hot glue and paint. We had knots and rope work to try, and, a model of a boat hull to practice your caulking (pronounced corking - when you pound cotton into the seams to firm up a wood boat hull).
We had cookies, coffee and tea and cocoa, as well as artifacts and information about our rich maritime heritage.
Other participants were the Sitka History Museum at Centennial Hall, St. Michael's Cathedral, the Sitka National Historical Park, the Russian Bishop's House, and the Sheldon Jackson Museum.
2017 Annual Meeting
Local Knowledge: Places, Names and Stories
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On Wednesday, March 15th at Sitka's Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall, we held “Local Knowledge: Places, Names and Stories,” the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society's 2017 Annual Meeting.
The event was well attended, by what Eric Jordan said later was "the best audience, ever." Sitka people want to know more, and to share what we know about this place. Charts, sticky notes and pens resulted in the collection of a bit of local lore which we will share later on this site.
We also were fortunate to have been able to borrow the large Tlingit place name maps from the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and we had the various place name books for our area.
Tlingit elder Herman Davis stole the show. He and Eric Jordan talked about maybe founding a comedy act. Not only is he knowledgeable and gracious, he's funny. I have seen humor listed as a value in Tlingit culture - I believe it! Tlingit elder Ethel Makinen was also an honored panelist, she is also a Tlingit speaker. Both introduced their remarks in the Tlingit language, which alone is a rich connection to this place. Roby Littlefield assisted, and contributed as well, to telling about a remarkable project, begun in the 1970s by Isabella Brady, to record Tlingit place names. Ethel Makinen's father, Charlie Joseph, the inspiration of Sitka's Native Education Program for children, had a remarkable memory for place names. Ethel Makinen was part of that project starting in the 1970s, and has contributed so much to culture programs in our community since then!
The place name project has resulted in a limited edition book of Sitka place names, but also a book including place names all over southeast Alaska, Haa Leelk'w Has Aani Saax'u / Our Grandparents' Names on the Land published recently by the University of Washington Press. Here is a description on the press's website, and you can get the book at Sitka's Old Harbor Books and other fine stores.
We learned about some Tlingit place names and stories, and learned to pronounce the word Tlingit (it's tlin - git, an n and a g, not a ng sound), and herring (yaaw), and herring eggs (gáax'w), after hearing about how herring used to spawn right in the channel in town, and that the amount of herring spawn is much smaller than it used to be. Then our new executive director, Jenya Anichenko, contributed a story that made a full circle - from a Russian ship that hit a rock for which it was named - Alexander Rock, named for the ship Crown Prince Alexander - and how an earlier scrape and near wreck of the ship, in California, in which the captain perished, led the crew to commission an icon of St. Herman, patron saint of Alaska, for St. Michael's Cathedral, where you can see it today.
We heard how Nakwasina Sound, just north of Sitka, once had so many smokehouses, putting up dog salmon, that a layer of smoke would hang over the entire bay. Fred Hope, whose father was boatbuilder and political leader Andrew Hope, told how after a season of commercial seining his family would go to Juneau to buy clothes and supplies for the year. Then on the way home, they would stop at Nakwasina and buy dried dog salmon from a family there. And, how all the smokehouses were removed by the Forest Service, and people not allowed to do that any more.
More stories followed from the floor, including observations on patterns of place naming by English, Spanish, and Russian explorers - respectively naming things for patrons, saints' days, and rocks they hit - how Piehle's Passage is misspelled, and why the Keyhole is called that instead of its original name - Pihl's Passage. And the quote of the night: when Jerry Dzugan, his first time through Piehle's Passage, a rocky area off Chichagof Island where knowledgeable skippers thread a safe route, asked skipper Chuck Johnstone how he knew where all the rocks were: he said, "I don't! I just know where they ain't!" Words of wisdom, indeed.
We had stories of contemporary boats scraping on rocks, including a notorious rock in Kalinin Bay (an ancient and favorite anchorage on Kruzof Island), and the dramatic story of pulling the fishing vessel Polaris off a rock where she'd been stranded outside Port Alexander. The memorable quote there was in regards to the big party to celebrate getting the boat safely off. "I guess there'd been a big party the night she ran aground, too . . . ."
Our annual meetings are always informative, as we get to learn more about this place in which we live but also about our fellow residents.
The event was well attended, by what Eric Jordan said later was "the best audience, ever." Sitka people want to know more, and to share what we know about this place. Charts, sticky notes and pens resulted in the collection of a bit of local lore which we will share later on this site.
We also were fortunate to have been able to borrow the large Tlingit place name maps from the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and we had the various place name books for our area.
Tlingit elder Herman Davis stole the show. He and Eric Jordan talked about maybe founding a comedy act. Not only is he knowledgeable and gracious, he's funny. I have seen humor listed as a value in Tlingit culture - I believe it! Tlingit elder Ethel Makinen was also an honored panelist, she is also a Tlingit speaker. Both introduced their remarks in the Tlingit language, which alone is a rich connection to this place. Roby Littlefield assisted, and contributed as well, to telling about a remarkable project, begun in the 1970s by Isabella Brady, to record Tlingit place names. Ethel Makinen's father, Charlie Joseph, the inspiration of Sitka's Native Education Program for children, had a remarkable memory for place names. Ethel Makinen was part of that project starting in the 1970s, and has contributed so much to culture programs in our community since then!
The place name project has resulted in a limited edition book of Sitka place names, but also a book including place names all over southeast Alaska, Haa Leelk'w Has Aani Saax'u / Our Grandparents' Names on the Land published recently by the University of Washington Press. Here is a description on the press's website, and you can get the book at Sitka's Old Harbor Books and other fine stores.
We learned about some Tlingit place names and stories, and learned to pronounce the word Tlingit (it's tlin - git, an n and a g, not a ng sound), and herring (yaaw), and herring eggs (gáax'w), after hearing about how herring used to spawn right in the channel in town, and that the amount of herring spawn is much smaller than it used to be. Then our new executive director, Jenya Anichenko, contributed a story that made a full circle - from a Russian ship that hit a rock for which it was named - Alexander Rock, named for the ship Crown Prince Alexander - and how an earlier scrape and near wreck of the ship, in California, in which the captain perished, led the crew to commission an icon of St. Herman, patron saint of Alaska, for St. Michael's Cathedral, where you can see it today.
We heard how Nakwasina Sound, just north of Sitka, once had so many smokehouses, putting up dog salmon, that a layer of smoke would hang over the entire bay. Fred Hope, whose father was boatbuilder and political leader Andrew Hope, told how after a season of commercial seining his family would go to Juneau to buy clothes and supplies for the year. Then on the way home, they would stop at Nakwasina and buy dried dog salmon from a family there. And, how all the smokehouses were removed by the Forest Service, and people not allowed to do that any more.
More stories followed from the floor, including observations on patterns of place naming by English, Spanish, and Russian explorers - respectively naming things for patrons, saints' days, and rocks they hit - how Piehle's Passage is misspelled, and why the Keyhole is called that instead of its original name - Pihl's Passage. And the quote of the night: when Jerry Dzugan, his first time through Piehle's Passage, a rocky area off Chichagof Island where knowledgeable skippers thread a safe route, asked skipper Chuck Johnstone how he knew where all the rocks were: he said, "I don't! I just know where they ain't!" Words of wisdom, indeed.
We had stories of contemporary boats scraping on rocks, including a notorious rock in Kalinin Bay (an ancient and favorite anchorage on Kruzof Island), and the dramatic story of pulling the fishing vessel Polaris off a rock where she'd been stranded outside Port Alexander. The memorable quote there was in regards to the big party to celebrate getting the boat safely off. "I guess there'd been a big party the night she ran aground, too . . . ."
Our annual meetings are always informative, as we get to learn more about this place in which we live but also about our fellow residents.
Thank You, Grant Awarded, and 4 for 44
In November 2016, the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society, through the City and Borough of Sitka, was awarded a Certified Local Government (federal Historic Preservation Fund) matching grant for $25,000, for work towards the addition. This portion of the project will build the foundation for the addition and bring utilities, which are all on site, inside the building.
And a big, big Thank You to everyone who donated to our 4 for 44 drive!
And, thanks to everyone who has donated their labor to fixing up the building (contributing in-kind labor for the last grant!), to baking cookies, contributing stories, fellowship and just being you.
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society is all of us who care about maritime culture, history, and community. To make your donation, click here.
And a big, big Thank You to everyone who donated to our 4 for 44 drive!
And, thanks to everyone who has donated their labor to fixing up the building (contributing in-kind labor for the last grant!), to baking cookies, contributing stories, fellowship and just being you.
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society is all of us who care about maritime culture, history, and community. To make your donation, click here.
4 for 44: Quadruple Your Donation in 2016
We launched our 4 for 44 fundraising campaign in 2016, to help fund the current phase of the Boathouse restoration: an addition for utilities and an accessible restroom.
In 2015 we received an anonymous gift of $44,000. Our goal was to match this with local contributions, to be doubled again with historic preservation grants.
The project is the construction of an addition to the back of the building, that will house an entry with accessible ramp, a restroom, running water, and mechanical space for our electrical, water, and sewer hookups.
The first part of this project, the foundation and utilities, is now complete (May, 2018). Next phase is to build the addition itself, and to restore the Boathouse where the addition attaches.
You can be a part of this! Your gift leverages grant funds. Go to the Join/Donate tab above or click here.
Membership as always comes with benefits above and beyond knowing you are supporting maritime heritage: a discount on t-shirts and caps and other goods, and our informative newsletter.
Donations of $1000 and above will be permanently acknowledged on the building.
Thank You for your support!
In 2015 we received an anonymous gift of $44,000. Our goal was to match this with local contributions, to be doubled again with historic preservation grants.
The project is the construction of an addition to the back of the building, that will house an entry with accessible ramp, a restroom, running water, and mechanical space for our electrical, water, and sewer hookups.
The first part of this project, the foundation and utilities, is now complete (May, 2018). Next phase is to build the addition itself, and to restore the Boathouse where the addition attaches.
You can be a part of this! Your gift leverages grant funds. Go to the Join/Donate tab above or click here.
Membership as always comes with benefits above and beyond knowing you are supporting maritime heritage: a discount on t-shirts and caps and other goods, and our informative newsletter.
Donations of $1000 and above will be permanently acknowledged on the building.
Thank You for your support!
Open House and Reception October 2016
2016 July 4th Fundraising Cruise had WWII Theme
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We had perfect weather, helpful whales, cooperative sea otter, great snacks, and good company. We are thankful to Mr. Walter Dangel, who told the background and inside scoop on the Harbor Defenses. He came to Sitka in May of 1941 with the 250th Coast Artillery, and was delightful and engaging, as well as extremely informative. Except for his authoritative stories there is no way you'd guess his age!
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2016 Fundraising Cruise: World War II & Wildlife
2016 Door Restoration Workshops
Door Restoration Workshop and Work Party
In three workshops, and labor in the interim by Anthony Vlahovich and super special volunteers, we have restored all the historic doors in the Boathouse.
2016 Annual Meeting was Katlian Street Stories
Inspired by the incredible public meetings sponsored by the Celebrate Katlian group, this was a chance to learn about the history of this important and historic place, to share stories, and view historic photos - by Jana Suchy, Matt Donohoe, Scott Chambers, and E. W. Merrill, of the people and places of the past.
The photo in the poster is of the Howard boat shop, located just to the south of the SPC plant. George Howard built fishing boats here, and the Princeton Hall was also built in this shop.
The photo in the poster is of the Howard boat shop, located just to the south of the SPC plant. George Howard built fishing boats here, and the Princeton Hall was also built in this shop.
Past Events . . . .
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We had fun in August 2014 at our
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Fourth of July Cruise
and Beach Picnic
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society had a blast on its summer fundraiser this year. We enjoyed a Wildlife Cruise around St. Lazaria Island with a naturalist guide, followed by a Kruzof Island Beach Picnic, on the 4th of July!
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THANK YOU!!
Did you know you can share your PFD with the SMHS? When you apply for your PFD, simply participate in the Pick Click Give program. It's easy, it feels good. |
2013 Work Party Photos
The October 5th work party was the best one of the season! SMHS board members and staff worked alongside a group of AMAZING volunteers to remove outdated and defunct electrical conduit and air ducting from the workshop side of the boat house, while others focused on pressure washing a few decade's worth of detritus from the walls and rafters of the railways. Please enjoy photos by clicking HERE.
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THANK YOU
Your support helps with boathouse renovations, educational workshops and outreach. Use the button below to give at your personal comfort level through our secure Paypal account, or CLICK HERE to become a member.
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