Maine's First Ship and the Arnold Expedition Historical Society are two of 121 nonprofit cultural organizations in 29 states and the District of Columbia that have received total funding from Alexandria-based Americana Corner for historic preservation and education projects. It will receive a $1.4 million grant. ,Virginia. The history-focused educational nonprofit is the only two organizations in Maine to receive the 2024 Keep America Grant Award.
Mr. Barth's Main First Ship (MFS) received a $5,000 Americana Corner grant that will be used to recruit a sailing captain. Virginia For the 2024 season of living history. This is his second year that MFS receives funding from his corner of Americana. The last grant enabled Virginia to receive U.S. Coast Guard approval for the first time. This was known as a “six pack” due to the limited number of people allowed on board, allowing them to sail with passengers.
“Hiring a paid skipper will allow us to increase the number of deck tour and sail days and hours planned in 2024,” said MFS Executive Director Kirsty Turak. “This increased activity allows us to expand our educational mission and share the story of early colonization and shipbuilding activity in Maine. We will donate a portion of our sailing costs to local businesses. This was especially true in the first season. We were also blessed with talented and generous volunteer captains and sailors, but as we expanded our educational program. Volunteers and visitors benefit from talented and justly compensated captains who invest heavily in developing their skills, knowledge and qualifications.Being a good steward of history goes a long way. We need resources.”
Last year's sailing schedule included nine days of port visits, including Boothbay Harbor and historic Pemaquid. Sailing gave passengers the unique thrill of traveling aboard an original, signature ship. Virginia This reconstruction was built by MFS volunteers who donated thousands of hours representing an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars, resulting in an opportunity for people today to experience a unique part of American history firsthand. . For more information, including how to become a member, please visit www.mfship.org.
The Arnold Exploration and Historical Society (AEHS) also received $5,700 for its 2024 effort to share the early stories of the American Experiment through boat building. The AEHS Foundation supports the vision of celebrating the daring Arnold Expedition in 2025. To honor the march of Arnold Benedict and his Revolutionary soldiers to Quebec in 1775, this organization celebrates that grueling journey and Maine's role in sparking the American Revolution through historical reenactments. Masu. , education, bateau construction. The host site for work on the Bateau prototype, Maine's first vessel is slated to be one of his sites along the Kennebec River for Bateau construction.
The purpose of the Preserving America Grant Program is to “educate visitors about historic sites and their role in American history, and to enhance the visitor experience with a focus on American history from 1607 to 1876. “To repair and/or improve a place, object, or exhibit.''
Maine First Ship is located at 27 Commercial Street in Bath, Maine. Location of the Jane Stevens Visitor Center and Jane Stevens Home Dock. Virgina. The visitor center opens on Memorial Day and will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, in addition to Memorial Day, July 3 and 4, and Indigenous Peoples Day. Maine's First Ship and Arnold Exploration Historical Society will use the grant to increase public knowledge and experience about the region's early history.