Submitted by Grays Harbor Historical Seaport
Along the Pacific coast, dozens of small towns recognize the off-white canvas floating toward them on the horizon. “We look forward to the tall ships’ visit every year,” says Coos Bay Oregon Port Liasion, Thomas Leahy. “Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain’s visits bring a focal point of maritime history to our town, which started with the lumber schooners. They bring education for our kids, a reason to get the community together, and tourism dollars to downtown.” Mr. Leahy is a member of the Coos Bay Boat Building Center, a 501(c)3 organization that is the designated host for the tall ships’ visit in Coos Bay and North Bend, OR.

This winter, Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is seeking new leaders to help steer the organization into the future. The 30 year old nonprofit has been operating since 1986, and put out the call this month for additional Board Members to join the team. The GHHS website outlines the position, stating:

The reach of Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is considerable, serving over 70,000 people annually. Based in Aberdeen, Washington, the nonprofit’s vessels cover thousands of nautical miles every year, across three states. The vessels visit Washington, California, and Oregon, traveling as far south as San Diego, CA and north to Vancouver, Canada. Aboard, K-12 students participate in hands-on history programs and youth learn job skills to go into the maritime field. In recent years, they’ve taken on the redevelopment of an industrial site, working to develop it into a mixed-use maritime heritage site, Seaport Landing. In 2017, GHHS announced it would launch Sea School in 2018, an expanded job skills training program for disadvantaged young people seeking to enter the commercial maritime field.