The MHN Blog is a companion to the Maritime Heritage Network, a not-for-profit, comprehensive website of maritime heritage organizations, attractions, and activities in the Pacific Northwest. The blog highlights news, activities, and resources useful to the entire maritime heritage community. All views expressed are the author's own. Opposing views are welcome.

Great gift ideas at the new MHN Gift Shop!

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Former Owner's Daughter Calls for Wawona Preservation

I received this e-mail from Linda Trafton Haakenson and Susan Trafton Carpenter, the daughter and granddaughter of J.E. Trafton, the last commercial owner of the schooner Wawona. They wrote to me out of concern for Wawona's immediate future, given the city of Seattle's recent threat to "demolish and dispose" of the vessel. (See MHN entry for June 14 and following entries, or search on the word "Wawona" in the search box at the top of the screen.) They gave me permission to post the e-mail.

[June 28, 2006]

Our family wants to preserve the history of the Wawona. The Trafton Family of Anacortes who owned the Wawona for over 33 years sailed from Anacortes. The history of the ship is very important to keep alive for generations to come of the hardships of making a living in the Bering Sea. We were very happy to see it had a home in Seattle and was restored by Northwest Seaport. The Wawona and other sailing schooners of that era are a rich history of the Pacific Northwest. This would be a wonderful educational tourist attraction for Seattle.

Please help preserve and save the Wawona and make it a show piece of the Seattle waterfront.

Linda Trafton Haakenson
Susan Trafton Carpenter


If you'd like to write to Linda and Susan, e-mail me at info@maritimeheritage.net and I'll forward. Otherwise, please comment via the link below.

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello Joe,

Thank you for your comment on the tallships_daily community on livejournal, I'm glad to find your website. Maybe I can help in this effort.

You wrote in this blog entry:
"Long term, Wawona's owners are now leaning toward an on-land display of the entire ship, as opposed to small pieces, as proposed by the city."

At least an entire on-land display means that parts of the ship could be worked on while it's displayed. The in-water restoration does sound incredibly expensive.

I'm wondering if MOHAI (Museum of History & Industry) might be able to help with the campaign to save the Wawona.

Also, having people show up at the Tacoma small-ships event this weekend with some sort of literature might help, too.

Please let me know if/when/where you could use my help. I am pretty good with putting together literature (not fancy, but it works), and am very good at people-work (smiling, being nice and informative, handing out stuff, getting collaboration, facilitating events, making cookies, etc)

~Carla Holley
http://euterpe35.livejournal.com

9:19 AM

 
Blogger Joe Follansbee said...

Hi Carla,

Thanks for your great comments. Many people agree with you about on-land versus in-water.

FYI, MOHAI is working very closely with Northwest Seaport, Wawona's owner, on next steps for the vessel, including the potential for putting her on a barge while working toward her final disposition as an artifact.

The idea for handing out literature at Small Ships Tacoma this weekend is excellent. I know that the Wawona supporters would welcome your help. Contact Alice Winship, walice1@qwest.net, 206-448-0707
to discuss.

Thanks again.

Joe

9:27 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great! Thanks for the information, and I will contact Alice :)

9:41 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Will these ladies be able to make it to the City Council meeting on the 12th?

10:40 AM

 
Blogger Joe Follansbee said...

I will check.

Joe

1:31 PM

 

Post a Comment

<< Home