By Chelsea Royer
The Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain are state symbols Grays Harbor locals are proud to have docked along their shores.
The historical journey of our Lady Washington is full of adventure, treachery, and travel across the globe. She sailed Captain Robert Gray into Grays Harbor and was the first American ship to visit the Northwest. Sadly, she ran aground on a trading expedition to the Philippines and never made it back home.
During the 100-year anniversary of Washington State, a reproduction of the Lady Washington created by the hands of Grays Harbor locals and the Historic Seaport Authority was birthed in an effort to maximize historic tourism. Unfortunately, the Seaport has had a rough journey. From being bought out of their first location by Walmart to managing the project from a landlocked location, the effort has suffered one hurdle after the next. When Les Bolton, now Executive Director of the Seaport, came on scene, it was after a rough season of accidents and shutdowns. It seems now, however, the managers of the Lady Washington have fallen upon some good fortune.
From Captain to Executive Director, Bolton has had high hopes and big dreams for one day moving the organization from its once landlocked location in Junction City onto waterfront property. After four years, the Historic Seaport has finally made such an acquisition. The Historic Seaport’s new property is a 38-acre plot along the old Weyerhauser waterfront. With architects on the project, scale-models built, and grants written for funding, the sky seems to be the limit for what could potentially be an economy-diversifying location with a plug for historic tourism.
Looking down upon a scale model of what could become the finished project, it’s easy to pass off the ideas as just that. But lucky for us, these ideas have wheels and they are in motion. With volunteer crews making excellent progress on clearing the property, electricians working to modify wiring, and a master-plan in place by Harbor Architects, the future looks bright. Grants have been written and the staff of the Seaport wait with bated breath to hear the final political decisions on budgets.
The Historic Seaport owns the largest wood-lathe in the United States – something used in the creation of masts and other ship-related projects. The new Seaport has plans for a woodshop, dock, spaces for vendors, and most particularly, a marina. “We have here in Aberdeen 11 miles of waterfront property…yet there’s no public moorage,” expresses Bolton. “40% of the Grays Harbor population lives within 10 miles of Aberdeen yet we have no marina.” Bolton goes on to explain the history of Aberdeen with the logging industry using the majority of waterfront for the transportation of logs. Now with the changing of industry in the city of Aberdeen, this waterfront property sits as prime real estate, waiting to be properly utilized.
The Historic Seaport owns 3.5 acres of roof-caps to large buildings with heavy-lifting machinery, perfect for making boat and ship repairs. This immense project, encompassing so many angles, will not be quick in coming. Taking one phase at a time, most aspects rely on government grants and volunteer work. Bolton explains that the Seaport has qualified for a $1 million grant from the Heritage Capital Projects Budget. Now it’s a waiting game for the budget to be signed into law.
Even with the promise of funding and the guidance of a master plan, Bolton has a long trek ahead of him. The Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain belong to the citizens of Grays Harbor and the level of their achievement is partially reliant on how much the locals are willing to give. Membership is a huge part of the Historic Seaport’s plans. Membership costs a mere few dollars per month, but it isn’t the finances gained that the Seaport is focused on – it’s the participation. The more people willing to become members of the Seaport and participate in the planning, the more likely the Seaport is to get additional funding from grants.
Speaking to Bolton about the project, his eyes light up as though he can see the finished project in his mind’s eye. Every small gain is a huge milestone, whether it be ships docking to make repairs at the Seaport location or local artists making future concert plans on the pier. And truly, they are mile markers, not just for Bolton, but for all Grays Harbor residents in the progress toward economic diversity and opportunity for historic tourism. Projects like the Historic Seaport have the potential to be an oxygen bag on the face of the local economy.
If you would like to get involved, the Seaport is always looking for volunteers. With opportunities galore for not only working but also adventuring, the Seaport is full of opportunity. For more information, visit the Historical Seaport website here.
