The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center is open on the same schedule as the museum for viewing the small craft collection, the construction of wooden boats and ship model building. While the Watercraft Center is currently recruiting for a full-time boat builder and has a dedicated manager, Grant Caraway, the staff depends on volunteers for boat-building projects.
Volunteers and staff work closely together on restoration of traditional wooden boats, building new wooden boats for museum programs, and maintaining the museum’s fleet. These projects are beneficial for both the museum in maintaining their collection of wooden watercraft but also for the public in getting a behind-the-scenes look at a working watercraft center.
Staff will work with volunteers to design a schedule that best fits their lifestyles. The majority of volunteers choose to come one day a week, arriving at the Watercraft Center in the morning and leaving shortly after lunch.
To start your volunteer journey with us, fill out the form below, and our volunteer coordinator Courtney Felton will be in touch.
