Categories: General
      Date: Sep 29, 2009
     Title: Festival Crowd Enjoys New NWMC Facility

On Thursday evening September 10th, the Northwest Maritime Center's Community Opening was held on Water Street in front of the main staircase of the new facility. After some brief words from the president of the board, the executive director, and the mayor of Port Townsend, a cannon was fired and the doors to the Chandler Maritime Education Building were flung open to welcome the community to our new home.

Over the next three days, throughout the Wooden Boat Festival, the grounds and Education Building were full of visitors. Kees Prins and the boat shop crew were on hand to answer questions inside. Out on the First Federal commons, people found their paver in the Compass Rose, played music, or simply enjoyed the gorgeous weather. During the sail by on Sunday afternoon the balconies along both buildings were full of onlookers.

Inside the Festival gates record numbers of attendees enjoyed all the boats and activities that make the Festival so beloved.

Thank you to those who brought and shared their boats, their experiences, and their expertise. Thank you to those who brought their products and ideas. Thank you to those who fed and played music for us. Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time and enthusiasm and knowledge. Thank you to everyone who came to see and experience the new Northwest Maritime Center campus for the first time.

We hope you'll continue to visit, to explore, to enjoy our new home throughout the year. The Maritime Heritage & Resource Building will be open some time in early 2010. The Keeley Boat House and administration offices are open now.