Maritime Washington Grant Program Supports Maritime Heritage Projects

Sixteen organizations across Washington State are receiving a total of $150,000 in funding for projects that support our region’s maritime heritage. These grants, provided by the Maritime Washington Grant Program, will expand ways for residents and visitors of all ages to engage with the incredible water-based stories of our region and provide resources for communities to better protect the heritage resources that define Washington’s saltwater shores.

Since time immemorial, people have settled along the saltwater shores of what is today Washington State, supported by the rich maritime resources for food, shelter, inspiration, trade, and transportation. Today, Washington’s shores continue to serve as home to many vibrant water-based cultures. With these grants, the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area supports projects that strengthen, maintain, and share this rich maritime heritage—enabling institutions, organizations, governments, and Tribes to better steward and connect residents with Washington’s maritime world.

Image courtesy of the Community Boating Center.

Image courtesy of the Center for Wooden Boats.

Image courtesy of the Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum/Pacific Shellfish Institute.

Image courtesy of the Island County Historical Museum.

Image courtesy of the Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation.

Maritime Washington has awarded $150,000 in total funding to 16 organizations, including museums, community groups, Tribes, curriculum developers, boat builders, multimedia creators, and others, for a wide range of projects.

Bellingham SeaFeast: $14,900 for 2024 SeaFeast Festival

Bellingham SeaFeast will receive $14,900 to support Tribal collaboration; provide space and time at the festival for Tribes to share their stories through arts and performances; and implement an improved zero-waste management system.

Coastal Interpretive Center: $5,800 for Making our Community Maritime

The Coastal Interpretive Center will receive $5,800 to support outreach efforts, including expanding community awareness about their educational programming and curricula.

Community Boating Center: $10,000 for Representing Indigenous Voices

The Community Boating Center will receive $10,000 for integration of Indigenous voices in their space and programming through the implementation of new exhibits, art, curriculum, lectures, and professional development for staff.

Fishboat Media: $15,000 for Upstream Battle: The Salish Sea’s Last Reefnetters

Fishboat Media will receive $15,000 for a five-part documentary series about the Salish Sea’s last reefnetters. Funding from Maritime Washington will support the inclusion of additional creative partners from the community in which this story takes place.

Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum/Pacific Shellfish Institute: $10,000 for Garden of the Salish Sea Experience

The Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum/Pacific Shellfish Institute will receive $10,000 to host environmental education field trips aimed at English language learners and students with Individual Education Plans. These programs will be implemented in partnership with Drayton Harbor Oyster, Dragonfly Kayaking, and the Max Higbee Center.

Historic Everett: $1,600 for “For the Love of The Equator: The Story of a Schooner Turned Tugboat”

Historic Everett will receive $1,600 to create an illustrated children’s book about The Equator: A Schooner turned Tugboat. The book shares the story of a young man’s time with his grandfather on the Everett waterfront, centered on the adventures of the Equator.

Island County Historical Museum: $14,500 for How the Sea Shaped the Lives of the People of Island County

The Island County Historical Museum will receive $14,500 to create a new exhibit with expanded interpretation on maritime history on Whidbey Island, exploring how trade by ship and the fishing industry were essential to the formation of Island County.

Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe: $15,000 for Sequim Bay Interpretive Kiosk and Storywalk Project

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe will receive $15,000 to design and produce interpretive signs for the Storywalk pathway at the Jamestown Tribal Campus in Blyn.

Jefferson County Historical Society: $5,400 for JCHS 2024 Maritime Exhibitions

The Jefferson County Historical Society will receive $5,400 to host two temporary exhibitions: “Take Me to the Water,” which uncovers the stories of Black Pacific seafarers, and “Stem to Stern,” which captures the essence of Port Townsend’s maritime trades.

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding: $6,000 the Port Townsend Boatbuilders Tour

The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding will receive $6,000 for a web series dedicated to safeguarding and illuminating the narratives of women and gender-diverse individuals in Washington’s traditional boatbuilding sector.

Northwest Straits Foundation: $5,800 for Passport to Marine Adventure

The Northwest Straits Foundation will receive $5,800 to update and promote their Passport to Marine Adventure app, which features an interactive map that guides users to maritime heritage-rich sites. As users visit these sites, they can earn points redeemable at local businesses, enhancing regional connections and supporting local commerce.

San Juan County Marine Resource Committee: $13,200 for Cattle Point Interpretive Area Upgrades

The San Juan County Marine Resource Committee will receive $13,200 to create interpretive signage and local art for the Cattle Point Interpretive Area. These new installations will share stories of maritime heritage and provide public education about the marine resources pivotal to the San Juan Islands.

Tacoma Historical Society: $1,800 for Maritime Story Maps

The Tacoma Historical Society will receive $1,800 to research and digitize items from their maritime collection and create two virtual story maps for the public.

Center for Wooden Boats: $7,000 for Boatwright in Residence Apprenticeship

The Center for Wooden Boats will receive $7,000 to support their Boatwright in Residence Apprentice Program. The apprentice funded by this grant will work alongside the Center for Wooden Boat’s staff and volunteers in operating and facilitating public use of historic wooden vessels along while engaging the public from their landmarked floating museum in South Lake Union Park.

Washington Water Trails Association: $15,000 for Linking Cascadia Marine Trail Sites for Maritime Heritage Education

The Washington Water Trails Association will receive $15,000 to support stakeholder outreach and establish a pilot Maritime Heritage Trail, connecting existing Cascadia Marine Trail sites and public locations. The trail will feature text, graphics, and videos explaining natural history, geology, marine ecosystems, and cultural interactions.

Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation: $9,000 for Schooner Suva Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places

The Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation will receive $9,000 to prepare a National Register nomination for the schooner Suva in advance of the vessel’s 2025 centennial.

Image courtesy of the Community Boating Center.

Image courtesy of the Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum/Pacific Shellfish Institute.

Image courtesy of the Island County Historical Museum.

Image courtesy of the San Juan County Marine Resource Committee.

Image courtesy of the Washington Water Trails Association

Image courtesy of the Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation

Image courtesy of the Center for Wooden Boats.

“We’re honored to support these impactful organizations in their work to preserve and interpret Washington State’s maritime heritage,” says Program Director Alex Gradwohl. “The immense interest in the Maritime Washington Grant Program demonstrates the wealth of significant stories, resources, and organizations along our shores, as well as the need for additional funding to support this important work.”

Maritime Washington will share updates about these grant-funded projects on our social media and encourages all those engaged in celebrating, maintaining, and sharing our state’s maritime heritage to subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter to stay informed of upcoming opportunities.