The Northwest Maritime Center will be a multi-purpose facility open to the public year-round. It will offer a variety of maritime educational programs, small boat building and restoration areas, as well as on-the-water activities for children and adults alike.

The Maritime Center will provide a 25,000 square foot multi-purpose cultural and educational facility that is open year-round. Two buildings are proposed: the Maritime Heritage and Resource Center (15,841 square feet) and the Maritime Education Building (9,521 square feet). The facility will provide community and visitor services that include: maritime educational programs, small boat building and restoration demonstration areas, meeting rooms, catering facilities, exhibit and display spaces, a chandlery and gift shop, a community boat house, a maritime resource library, distance learning technologies, and office space for partner organizations.

Artist's depiction of the Center's Commons area. Drawing by artist Mike Kowalski -Click on image or compass rose for larger view-

The facility has been designed around a large outdoor commons area (approximately 20,000 square feet) that will serve as a staging area for maritime demonstrations and community events, as well as enhancing public access to the shoreline. Priority use of the facility will be given to the marine-related educational and cultural activities sponsored by the Maritime Alliance partner organizations.

The Wooden Boat Foundation will be an anchor tenant at the center, expanding on programs and events offered over its 25-year history. Other partners may include the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, Jefferson County Historical Society, Sound Experience, and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. All these organizations, working together as the Maritime Education Alliance, promote the understanding and appreciation of the natural history, culture, and maritime heritage of the Pacific Northwest through education, exhibitions, events, 
publications, programs and collections.

- Click on image or compass rose for larger view -

As you can see in the illustration, the facility has been designed around a large public outdoor commons area that will provide a community waterfront center for musicians, maritime artists, artisans, and craftspeople. Easy access to the water and a deep draft dock will foster a variety of on-the-water programs and docking opportunities for historic vessels. 

The maritime commons and second story decks afford panoramic vistas of Point Hudson, Port Townsend Bay, and the Cascades and Olympics beyond.