​The Japonski Island Boathouse Rehabilitation Project (NE Wall & Entry Addition Exterior) - 2020 to 2021

The overall aim is to rehabilitate the Japonski Island Boathouse for adaptive re-use, so that it can serve the community of Sitka, as well as Southeast Alaska, as a maritime heritage center. The complete maritime heritage center will feature a restored marine railway and covered boat repair facility, with an observation deck overlooking the construction bay for visitors to observe work in progress. It will also house a workshop and exhibit space, which will also serve as classroom space for SMHS public programming. ​This phase of the project will restore and repair a historic exterior wall on the building’s Northeast wing and complete the exterior of the newly constructed entry addition shell with siding, doors and windows.
Our original plans for the year have been modified for the current pandemic. Instead of doing all the work this summer, Alaska historic preservation grants have all been extended into next summer (2021). This summer we are working on the old section of the building, and over the winter we will be working on preparing the new addition for siding.

In September 2020 we took delivery of our siding, milled in Tenakee, brought to Sitka by the M/V Otter, with trim boards brought aboard the S/V Snow Dragon. How authentically maritime! We are grateful for all the support. See below for our letter to the editor of thanks.

Next summer, we will be siding the new addition, and installing our new, custom handmade windows in the addition. These are being crafted by G. A. Whitermore Custom Woodworking in Haines.

Our volunteer work parties have been scaled down to promote social distancing, with just a handful of skilled volunteers. If you are interested in lending a hand, click the button below!

All of our work is supported by the generous support of our members and donors. In addition, we have a goal of $100,000 for our Capital Campaign Boathouse 2020 - now Boathouse 2021. Be a part of the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society! Join or donate now!
​The Japonski Island Boathouse Rehabilitation Project (NE Wall & Entry Addition Exterior) is supported in part by the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior, and the State of Alaska Office of History & Archaeology.

Front page of the Daily Sitka Sentinel:

Picture
CUSTOM DELIVERY – Laura Bennett, executive director of Sitka Maritime Heritage Society, right, watches as crew of the M/V Otter, Captain Thomas Sigmond, Adina Scott and Micheal Janicki, unload a shipment of wooden siding from the WWII-era boat Thursday at the sea wall on Katlian Street. The wood was custom milled last year at Tenakee Springs to match the shiplap siding on the WWII era Japonski Island Boathouse. It will be used to replace sections of worn out siding and to sheath a new addition. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

Our Letter to Editor of Thanks for Lumber Delivery in the Daily Sitka Sentinel:

Dear Editor,
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society (SMHS) is delighted to share that our custom-milled siding from #1 Sitka spruce has all safely arrived in Sitka from Tenakee Springs. This was only made possible through the collaboration and support of friends of SMHS, who we would like to thank.
Frances Brann was the first to help out by taking on bundles of trim on the Snow Dragon, with facilitation help by Heather Bauscher. Following that initial delivery, the captain and crew of the MV Otter stepped up to help our organization. Thomas Sigmond, Adina Scott, and Michael Janicki transported the remaining 7 lifts of lumber on the historical power scow. After being moved by Arrowhead Transfer, Greg George assisted in placing the lumber into its final storage place at the Japonski Island Boathouse.
Altogether, an estimated 7,000lbs of lumber was moved, and we are so grateful to all who volunteered their time, skills, and resources to make this happen. The delivery of this lumber represents another big step forward for the Japonski Island Boathouse rehabilitation project. This lumber was made to exactly match the dimensions of the original 1940s shiplap on the Boathouse. It will be used to replace siding that has deteriorated beyond repair and to cover the exterior of the new entry addition and in some interior areas.
The final goal of the project is to rehabilitate the Japonski Island Boathouse for adaptive re-use, so that it can serve the community as a maritime heritage center, featuring a workshop and exhibit space, which will also serve as classroom space for SMHS programming. ​SMHS currently has a Historic Preservation Fund grant project underway to restore and repair a historic exterior wall on the building’s Northeast wing and complete the exterior of the newly constructed entry addition. This special delivery helps make that possible.
We encourage you to check out our website (www.sitkamaritime.org) to follow the Boathouse’s progress and learn how you can help out.
-The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society Board & Staff
  • July 25 - August 1, 2020 - Work has begun on one of the NE wall's doors. The existing doors need to be widened and fire safety hardware has to be installed, in order to meet standards for a public museum.
  • August 8, 2020 - Begun widening a door's rough opening and re-constructing a wider door jamb. Tar paper re-fastened on addition. Began addressing heater blocking widened door.
  • August, September 2020 - Widening and repairing rough openings of existing doorways to accommodate 36" doors.
  • The historic 5-panel doors are being extended from 32 inches to 36 inches, using clear old-growth wood.
  • New, wider jambs are being fabricated from clear yellow cedar.
  • In September we took delivery of our Number One spruce siding, milled in Tenakee and delivered on the MV Otter. The S/V Snow Dragon had previously delivered the trim boards!
  • Thank you to our dedicated team of volunteers! If you would like to lend a hand, email us at sitkamaritime.gmail.com!
Some "before" photos of the Japonski Island Boathouse, prior to beginning project work planned for summer 2020.  The entry addition lacks exterior siding, windows, and doors. The NE Wall is uninsulated and the exterior siding is showing signs of deterioration, it is checked and very weathered. 
Siding was custom milled in Tenakee Springs from #1 Sitka Spruce and will exactly match the dimensions and shiplapping of the original siding on the Japonski Island Boathouse. On September 10th it was delivered to Sitka with the help of the MV Otter.
Standards for Rehabilitation:
​https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/four-treatments/treatment-rehabilitation.htm