PUBLIC OUTREACH MEETINGS SET FOR MARITIME SURVEY - BELLINGHAM & PORT TOWNSEND

Washington Dept. of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) received a Preserve America Grant to fund a comprehensive survey and inventory of historic maritime resources along the Washington coast from Grays Harbor to Blaine. DAHP selected Artifacts Consulting, Inc. of Tacoma to undertake the project. The foremost goal of the survey and inventory effort is to document and build public understanding of our regional maritime history. A selection of at least 500 historic vessels, sites, buildings, and structures will be photographed and recorded. Public outreach with communities in the project area will help inform survey efforts. To that end, public meetings will be held in Gig Harbor, Port Townsend and Bellingham. The meeting in Bellingham will occur on March 1, 2011 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm in the Fireplace Room of the Fairhaven Public Library. The library is sponsoring this free event.  The meeting in Port Townsend will occur on March 8, 2011 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm in the Maritime Meeting Room of the Northwest Maritime Center. The Center is sponsoring this free event. The intent of the meeting is to give an overview of the project as well as invite the public to suggest buildings, piers, sites, etc. for inclusion in the survey process.  The intent of the meeting is to give an overview of the project as well as invite the public to suggest buildings, piers, sites, etc. for inclusion in the survey process.  Meetings upon completion of the project will present findings (tentatively for spring 2011, locations to be announced). To guide survey work, Artifacts will prepare a historic context report. This report will explore the various themes of Washington’s maritime history, from the long-standing Native American use of the waterways to working waterfronts, from boat building to communities shaped by the sea. Local museums, planning offices and historical societies will be able to tap into the finished product for their own purposes (e.g., planning policies or interpretation materials for tourism). All final products will be available online through DAHP’s website.