Jan Jorgenson Joins Seaport Staff

The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority is pleased to welcome Jan Jorgenson as the newest member of its Aberdeen staff. Jorgenson has taken the newly created position of Development Officer with responsibilities for fundraising, grant writing, and membership development. Jorgenson started her position on September 22.

A graduate of Washington State University, Jorgenson most recently worked as a marketing professional in the Yakima office of the Washington State Employment Security Department. She has also worked for the Washington State School for the Blind Foundation and the Don Donaldson Museum at the school. She’s an active member of the Northwest Development Officers Association.

Jorgenson plans to be active in the Grays Harbor community. “I am eager to be a part of the rich Seaport history, to explore and embrace the mission and existing programs and work with the board and staff to develop meaningful events and activities that lead to cultivation of volunteers and ongoing support of GHHSA,” she says.

Jorgenson is the author of several articles and books on local history, including Early Battle Ground, Washington and Meadow Glade Community Centennial. She has a keen interest in genealogy.

Jorgenson can be reached directly at 360-589-3999, jjorgenson@historicalseaport.org.

Crews and Staff Meet in Aberdeen

The entire Historical Seaport staff and the crews from the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain met as a group at the Olympic Gateway Plaza Mazatlan Restaurant in Aberdeen today. The group heard a pep talk from Executive Director Les Bolton, the office staff, and the command staff, who are furiously preparing for our upcoming California season. The photo below the group shows both boats at their berth in Aberdeen with the Chehalis River Bridge in the background.

Les Bolton Among Community Award Winners

Historical Seaport Executive Director Les Bolton received a a prestigious award last week for his contribution to the local community. The Aberdeen Revitalization Movement held its second annual Aberdeen Community Leadership Dinner on September 15 at the Aberdeen Museum of History, and Les was recognized for his work with the Seaport. ARM also named six other local citizens as award winners, including Bob Preble, Tom Quigg of Windermere Realty, Kathleen Werner, principal of Stevens Elementary School, Mary Swarthout of Caring Coaches Foundation, Larry Bledsoe of the City of Aberdeen, and Karmen Ayres, a junior at Aberdeen High School. Congratulations to all the winners for making Aberdeen and Grays Harbor a great place to live and work!

Artist Donates Painting to Historical Seaport

Historical Seaport Executive Director Les Bolton has accepted an original painting of Lady Washington by Judy Horn of Horn Fine Art Imaging in Ocean Shores, Wash. Horn is a member of the newly formed North Beach Artist’s Guild, based in Ocean Shores. The image shows Lady Washington sailing in Commencement Bay near Tacoma. Horn hopes to help the Historical Seaport with fundraising that will benefit the Seaport and the Gallery of Ocean Shores, a new visual arts space which is expected to open next month. The gallery will showcase and sell the work of 25 Grays Harbor artists.

Fan Photo: Lady Washington's Captain

Judith Hajek, a friend of Lady Washington, sent us this snap of Capt. Jeremiah Gempler of the said craft while she was in Seattle's Lake Union over the weekend. If you have a photo to share, send it with a brief description of place and time to photos@historicalseaport.org.

Fan Photo: Tiller on Lady Washington

Hah! I bet when you read the headline, you thought it was about the Lady Washington's tiller (the steering thingy on the quarterdeck). But no! It's a picture of Lady Washington's mascot, Tiller, standing watch at the rail, guarding the crew against all manner of dangers (catfish? one-eyed parrots? Johnny Depp impersonators?). Tiller looks "noble and responsible," according to Calin Taylor, a guest in Seattle who sent us the photo. Good dog! If you have a photo of Tiller or anything else Lady Washington-related, send it to photos@historicalseaport.org.

Peugh Wedding on Lady Washington

The Lady Washington hosts several weddings a year, including Trisha Peugh's ceremony on July 16, 2011 in Anacortes. Both boats took her family and friends out on Puget Sound. You'll find more photos on our Facebook page. If you'd like Lady Washington and/or Hawaiian Chieftain to host your wedding, visit our charters page to learn more or call 800-200-5239.

Steampunk Knitting on the Lady Washington

A Seattle artist collective called Ladies of Mischief is planning to publish a book described as "steampunk-themed knitting patterns" and they visited the Lady Washington today to take some photos. Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain are frequently chartered for photo shoots and film productions. If you need an historical accurate maritime set for your project, visit our Charters page for more information.

Fan Photo: LW & HC In Profile

Jessica Nicole Zuniga, one of our guests on our Sept. 2 Evening Sail, sent this unique photo of Lady Washington (right) and Hawaiian Chieftain (left) in profile at Port Plaza Dock in Olympia. "I can't wait to go again next time you guys are in the area," she writes. We hope to return to Olympia around Labor Day next year. Right now, Lady Washington is in Seattle's Lake Union, while Hawaiian Chieftain is on her way to Port Townsend for a routine haulout. If you have photos to share, send them to photos@historicalseaport.org.

Fan Photos: Olympia Sailing and Singing

We had a great time in Olympia over the weekend, and our fans sent us some photos to show they liked us, too. The top photo shows shanty singers from the Budd Bay Shanty Sing group enjoying their monthly sing-along Sunday evening on Lady Washington. The bottom photo shows one of Hawaiian Chieftain's crew working on a yard. If you have photos to share from Olympia or any of our other stops this summer, send them to photos@historicalseaport.org.