HomeMy WebLinkAboutJaponski Boathouse Historical Society letterSitka Historical Society
Isabel biller Museum Karen L. Meiznet
330 Harbor Drive Sitka, Alaska 99835 Administrator
Voice: 907 747 6455 Fax: 907 747 6588
Sitka's past lives on at one of the nation's premiet small museums
Joe Wallis,
Chief of Grants
Save America's Treasures
Heritage Preservation Services, National Park Service
1201 1 Street, NW .
6th Floor (ORG. 2255)
Washington, D.C. 20005
15 May 2003
Re: Letter of Support for The Maritime Heritage Society 's application for a federal Save
America's Treasures grant
Dear Mr, Wallis,
Receipt of this grant would make it possible for the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society, in cooperation with the Sitka
Historic Preservation Commission, to begin rehabilitation of the Japonski Island Boathouse into a maritime museum
and World War It interpretive center, to restore the building's exterior, do any hazardous materials remediation
necessary, and to finish the interior up to being safe for use, saving the museum fixtures for the next phase.
The Japonski Island Boathouse, built in 1940 as part of the Naval Air Station, currently is
inctuded in the Sitka Naval Operating Base and U.S. Army Coastal Defenses National Historic
Landmark As part of the enormous military preparations in Alaska, it is a visual reminder of a
historic time when the United States prepared for a foreign invasion. Additionally, this building
is one of the few remaining boat building and repair structures that can trace Sitka's ship building
history to the Russian ship building industry's beginnings of 1811,
This boathouse is historically significant as one of the last remaining waterfront boat building and
repair facilities. It is representative of the major role of small vessels and the seafaring culture in Sitka's history,
and would provide a unique location to showcase marine artifacts owned by the Sitka Historical Society and the
City of Sitka. As a maritime heritage resource, the maritime museum will feature areas of Sitka's history not
addressed elsewhere, and will be the only maritime or military museum in southeastern Alaska.
Additionally, this waterfront area will be improved while preserving earlier uses and the historic look of the
waterfront
The Sitka Historical Society and the Isabel Miller Museum heartily endorse this proposed project
and are hopeful the building may serve as a greatly needed maritime museum for Sitka and all of Southeast
Alaska.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call the Sitka Historical Society at 747-6455.
Sincerely,
I �. • L. /*
Karen Meizner
Administrator