Gig Harbor guide: Monday’s open house to cover National Maritime Heritage Areas

Laureen Lund

Gig Harbor guide

The public is invited to an open house at the Harbor History Museum, located at 4121 Harborview Drive, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 10 to learn the benefits of the Gig Harbor community becoming a National Maritime Heritage Area.

National Heritage Areas are places designated by Congress to recognize nationally important natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources.

Today, there are more than 40 national heritage areas throughout the United States. There is no increased federal regulation associated with NHA. Instead, the designation supports local citizens to preserve, share and promote our own heritage — with full local control.

Gig Harbor’s maritime history has national interest. Boat building, commercial fishing, mosquito fleet, lighthouses, ferries — an abundance of heritage stories are waiting to be told. Sharing these tales with the rest of the country will boost heritage tourism and help preserve Gig Harbor’s local heritage.

Various groups — from heritage societies, to ports, to Native American tribes and intertribal organizations — have worked diligently to protect and celebrate our living maritime heritage in our state. However, many of these groups have struggled to maintain volunteer support, raise funds and build sustainable organizations.

Local organizations are considering a new designation for Washington’s maritime resources as a National Heritage Area — the first National Heritage Area in the country to be focused on maritime heritage. The designation would raise awareness of our heritage resources with a national audience.

Gig Harbor is perfectly poised to be a leader — our strong heritage, our soon-to-be open Harbor History Museum, our Croatian fishing families, our local government’s commitment, not to mention we call ourselves “The Maritime City.”

The open house planned for Aug. 10 is an opportunity to learn about the benefits to our community of becoming a National Maritime Heritage Area. Dr. Allyson Brooks of the state Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation will make a presentation and be available to answer questions about the Washington State feasibility study currently underway.

Join me and many other Gig Harbor residents, organizations and local leaders on Monday.

For more information, call Lita Dawn Stanton, the City of Gig Harbor’s Historic Preservation Officer, at 253-853-7609.

Remember: Gig Harbor IS Washington’s Maritime City.

Gig Harbor Guide columnist Laureen Lund, the marketing director for the City of Gig Harbor, can be reached by