Sitka Maritime Heritage Society

Name: Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
Address: Japonski Island Boathouse, Sitka, AK, 99835, US
Telephone: +19076238054

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Sitka Maritime Heritage Society

We are dedicated to preserving Sitka's rich maritime heritage and educating the public about it.

05/21/2026

We are reprinting our little book of Sitka history: What cover should we have, or do you have other ideas for a cover?
The tan and green painting is of Sitka in 1793 from the deck of an English ship here for the maritime fur trade.

05/07/2026

We'd like to thank Captain Blain Anderson of "Sound Sailing" and the S/V BOB for not only holding another "Introduction to Sailing" class this year, but also for generating 10 new members to our society as well as donating $1,200 to help with our efforts to restore the Japonski Island Boathouse and eventually open it up as a "Maritime Heritage Center."

Thanks cap!

05/06/2026

Our annual "Intro to Sailing Class" held by Captain Blain Anderson of Sound Sailing / S/V BOB was another great success!

If you missed it this year, look for it again next year!

05/02/2026

CHECK OUT THE PLANS for the new facility for a Fast Response Cutter to be stationed at Sitka at an open house at the Japonski Island Boathouse.

Erin Hale - the person in charge of sharing the plans for the new Coast Guard dock for the Fast Response Cutter - will be coming to Sitka to share those plans with the public 5-7 pm at the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society’s Japonski Island Boathouse on May 13th. The presentation will be at 5 pm followed by a site visit and snacks.

Join us! Check out the plans, come on a visit to the new dock site, check out the boathouse, and enjoy some light refreshments.

04/26/2026

A huge thanks to the Sitka Rotary Club for giving us a $1,000 grant to help us with our newest video project: Vanished World: People and Places of Southeastern Alaska in the 1980's.

Currently we are in the process of digitizing over 1,000 historical slides taken in the 1980's of the boats, fishermen, and communities involved in commercial fishing in SE Alaska. Once done, we'll be interviewing/filming several people with intimate knowledge of the places, people, and boats that were active in the 1980's and then create another ± 15-minute documentary/educational video to be preserved (and archived) for the future!

04/18/2026

Maritime Trivia!

Where did the word "grog" come from?

The word originally referred to rum diluted with water which Edward Vernon introduced into the British naval squadron he commanded in the West Indies on 21 August 1740. Vernon wore a coat of grogram cloth and was nicknamed Old Grogram or Old Grog.

The question is: what the heck is "grogram cloth!"

Stay tuned!

04/03/2026

COME SAIL WITH THE SITKA MARITIME HERITAGE SOCIETY ABOARD THE "BOB"!

Once again Captain Blain Anderson is offering an "Intro To Sailing Class" to be held April 30th to May 3rd.

This is a very popular course and it fills up fast!

Email: [email protected] for more information or to sign up for a memorable experience.

03/18/2026

The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society is seeking an individual ambitious to promote, grow and manage the walking tour business for the nonprofit SMHS. Go to sitkamaritime.org for description and how to apply. Questions, 907 738-7448 or [email protected].

02/06/2026

COAST GUARD STORIES

The public is invited to attend - and listen to - “Coast Guard Stories” at SMHS's Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 26th, from 7-9pm at Harrigan Centennial Hall.

After a very short annual meeting a panel of Sitkans will tell stories about their experiences with Sitka’s US Coast Guard Air Station, the Aids to Navigation Team, and buoy tenders from USCGC Clover to Kekui. In the second half of the program audience members will share their own stories.

Sitka has had a buoy tender homeported here since 1965 and the Air Station came to Sitka in 1977. Hundreds have served here in our community - and our identity - as a community has been shaped by the Coast Guard and its important work. This program will offer a glimpse of what it’s like, on land, at sea, in the sky, in the calm and in the storm.

There will be photos, a timeline of events, plus coffee, tea and treats.

All are invited to this free program. Doors open at 6:30 pm. For more information email [email protected]

Address

Japonski Island Boathouse
Sitka, AK
99835

Telephone

+19076238054

Website

http://www.sitkamaritime.org/

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