Volunteer Connection

 

Volunteer Connection

March 12, 2010

 

 

Greetings, Friends!

 

HELP WANTED…

The Museum is looking for a volunteer to coordinate the health and maintenance of our Fish Tug, Evelyn S. An interest in commercial fishing would be helpful, but is not required. Some knowledge of wooden boats and/or Kahlenberg engines would be helpful, but again, not required.  This person would be asked to monitor the condition of this exhibit, make suggestions to improve the exhibit and coordinate maintenance with the Collections Committee and staff Volunteer Coordinator. Forming a committee of like minded individuals to assist in these efforts would be encouraged. The Collections Committee is looking into having a survey of the vessel done, hopefully this year, which will give all involved an idea of her current condition and what needs to be done. For starters, cleaning, painting and the ongoing task of preventing rainwater intrusion would lead the list. We are also working on reinterpreting this exhibit. This would be a way to contribute to our Museum as well as a way to gain knowledge about both commercial fishing as it was practiced on the Great Lakes and about these very distinctive vessels which are only found here on our Great Lakes. Individuals interested in this unique opportunity please contact the staff Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Stephens, at the Museum, or, for further information, Pete Mathews at 269-628-2339, or canoenut@bciwildblue.com. ~ submitted by Pete Mathews

 

 

Heritage to host March 18 program on Fort St. Joseph…

ST. JOSEPH - The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center at 7 p.m. March 18 will have a program on "Archaeological Evidence of 18th Century Daily Life along the Banks of the St. Joseph River."

The program will be presented by Michael Nassaney, anthropology professor at Western Michigan University and principal investigator of the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project.

Fort St. Joseph was on the banks of the St. Joseph River, just south of present-day downtown Niles. It was established as a mission in the 1680s by French Jesuits, and was one of the earliest European settlements in the North American mid-continent and western Great Lakes region.

Its precise location has long been in doubt. In 1998, WMU archaeologists conducted a survey in search of the fort, and excavations have taken place at the site in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in conjunction with the college's archaeological field school under the auspices of the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project.

The March program will focus on recent findings and summarize knowledge about daily life at the fort. Not only do the artifacts confirm the site's commercial, religious and military functions, but archaeologists are gaining a better understanding of the ways people identified themselves on the frontier of the French empire by looking at the practices that they retained and those they relinquished.

Another topic of discussion will be the role played by the fort in strengthening community identity in Niles and its impact on the local economy.

Those who attend the program may also tour The Heritage's temporary exhibit, "The French in North America/Les Français en Amerique du Nord - An Enduring Presence."

Developed by the Canadian Studies program at WMU, the exhibit depicts the history of the French empire in North America, focusing on the legacy of the French found in American culture, landscape, language, and politics.

It also features a sample of artifacts excavated at Fort St. Joseph.

The artifacts, on loan from the Fort St. Joseph Museum in Niles, are a mix of Native and European items found at the site, which may have belonged to a Métis family. The Métis are a culture descended from the marriages of Natives and Europeans.

The March 18 program is part of the museum's annual Public Program Series. It's free for Heritage members and $5 for non-members.

The Heritage is at 601 Main St. in St. Joseph. Those who want more information may call the museum at 983-1191.

 

Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates…

Mark your calendars for April 24th for the annual MSRA Evening Beneath the Inland Seas. This is their 12th annual event and it is shaping up to be one of the best programs ever!

The Knickerbocker Theatre
86 East Eighth St. Holland
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM (Door open at 6:00 PM)

Buy tickets at the door for $15 or order in advance for $12.50 each here.

The 2010 "Mysteries & Histories Beneath The Inland Seas" event will be held in the historic Knickerbocker theater in downtown Holland, MI, presented by Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates and the Joint Archives of Holland.

The theatre lobby will be open to the public at 6:00, with tables featuring books, DVDs and artwork by the presenters. Come early and peruse the assortment of exciting items. A portion of all proceeds goes to MSRA.

 

 

All Topmen…

A number of you have expressed an interest in buying your own harness.  Well, good news!  Mark Crews, owner of Apex Outdoor Gear in Grand Rapids, has graciously agreed to provide a 10% discount to our crew on the purchase of harness rig.  Details are:

 

 

Petzl Full Body Harness, Model 8003 (same harness Tim Mattson and Marcia Flynn wear).  Regular retail is $125.00.  Comes in two sizes (when it comes to selecting a size, don't forget to include the bulk of foul weather gear, etc.):

·        Size 1: Waist 23"-37", Thigh 16"-24"

·        Size 2: Waist 29-1/2"-41", Thigh 20"-30"

• Petzl Omni Screw-Lock Carabiner, Model M37SL.  Regular retail is $33.00. 
• Package total: $158.00.  Discount $15.80.  Net $142.20, plus tax. 

If you are interested in owning your own harness, you need to:

• Contact Mark at mark.crews@apexoutdoorgear.com, or by calling him at 616-940-4611. 
• Identify yourself as crew for Friends Good Will for the Michigan Maritime Museum. 
• Let him know what size harness you require. 
• Pay for your harness/'biner rig by credit/debit card. 
• Due this by end of day, Wednesday, March 31. 

Mark will place an order to Petzel on Thursday, April 1.  Within the week, they'll be in. 

Marcia will pick up the entire order and bring it to South Haven no later than Sunday, April 11 (maybe April 10, but that's still up in the air - definitely the 11th). 

 

A great rig, and a great offer.  ~ Submitted by Marcia Flynn

 

 

 

Disney’s Give a Day Volunteers Enjoy the Park…

“We are still in Florida, but not a lot warmer than back home.  However there is no snow.  :)

 

I wanted you though know how nicely the volunteer voucher worked.  It was a very pleasant experience.  We received a free day at Disney (actually half price on a two day pass).  All through the park the clerks, guides, and other workers thanked us for being volunteers and wanted to know what we did.  We thus had many chances to talk about the Michigan Maritime Museum and FGW.  I felt like I was doing docent duty all over again!

 

SO we both recommend the experience and Tim says he wants to do more docenting.” ~ submitted by Toni Carroll

 

 

 

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY…

"Now Hear This" all you wooden boat enthusiasts out there. The Documentation Committee, a subcommittee of the Museum's Collection Committee at Michigan Maritime Museum is attempting to sponsor a class on Surveying Wooden Boats to be held at the museum in September. This class would be put on by the WoodenBoat School of Brooklin, ME, and the Museum. It is a week long class taught by a professional Marine Surveyor with years of experience in surveying wooden boats. The class will be divided roughly 50/50 between class room study (in the Padnos) and field work actually surveying several wooden boats, starting with our own Evelyn S. and Jim Schnieder's Frigate Bird. The cost for the class will be between $650.00 and $700.00 and will result in a certificate from WoodenBoat School at it's completion. Student limit is 12 students maximum, we currently have room for up to six Students in this class. If you're interested please contact Pete Mathews at 269-628-2339, or leave a message at the Museum with your contact information. ~ submitted by Pete Mathews

 

 

Ship’s Company Returning Crew Reminder…

If you haven’t yet renewed your Michigan Charter Boat Association membership, you should take a few moments and renew today. Current members that fail to renew their membership by March 31 will be required to take another pre-employment drug test at their own expense. If you have any questions about the Friends Good Will drug pool, please contact mstephens@michganmaritimemuseum.org.

 

If you have renewed your MCBA membership, please provide the Museum with a copy of your 2010 membership card by April 15 for our records. Membership in a drug pool is required by the Coast Guard for all persons crewing aboard the vessel.

 

Membership Gathering on April 10

Museum Members are invited to attend the Museum’s Spring Membership Renewal Event on the Museum Campus on April 10th from 2-4 p.m. Wine and appetizers will be served. ~ Arlene Dickerson, Membership Committee, Chair

 

 

Rigging Weekends…

Only twenty-nine more days until…Uprigging!  Please mark April 10-11 and 17-18 as Rigging Weekends on your calendar.

 

 

Upcoming Activities at the Museum:  

Date:                                                                                          Event:

 

Saturday, March 13, 9 AM-4 PM                                     TSCA Meeting

Saturday, March 13, 9 AM-noon                                      FGW Work Session

Wednesday, March 17, 6-8 PM                                        FGW Work Session

Friday, March 19, 3-5 PM                                                Meeting of the Board of Directors, Members encouraged to attend!

Saturday, March 27, 1-4 PM                                                          Basic Seamanship I Sail Training Class (pre-registration required)

 

For the good of the cause,

 

Mary Stephens

Education & Volunteer Coordinator

Michigan Maritime Museum

260 Dyckman Avenue

South Haven, Michigan 49090

voice: 269.637.8078

fax: 269.637.1594

www.MichiganMaritimeMuseum.org