Family-operated boatyards like Eddon Boatyard were once economic engines and community gathering places for Gig Harbor and many small coastal towns. They are vanishing and taking with them centuries of traditional shipwright skills.
What can you do?
Keep local traditions alive. Contribute to the Gig Harbor BoatShop Launch Campaign.
After programs launch in 2009, come, see and experience boat building and restoration
in action at the historic Eddon Boatyard. By learning together, we pass on our rich
maritime heritage to future generations.
Countdown to launch
Gig Harbor BoatShop (GHB) is governed by core members of the Friends of Eddon Boat, the
grassroots group that spearheaded a campaign to save the site. Sixty-two percent of
Gig Harbor residents voted "yes" to pass a bond enabling the city to purchase the Eddon
Boatyard site to create heritage programming and a recreational park.
In 2006, GHB collaborated with the City of Gig Harbor to facilitate an Eddon Boatyard
Restoration Project. That same year Washington State awarded a $1 million grant to the
City of Gig Harbor for the restoration of the boatyard. Restoration work is scheduled to
begin in early 2008.
In August 2007, GHB entered into a 20-year lease with the City of Gig
Harbor for the Eddon Boatyard. In exchange for the $1 per year lease, Gig Harbor BoatShop
will create interpretive and public education programs.
The right stuff
The Gig Harbor BoatShop is fortunate to have board members, staff and program partners
with the extensive experience and knowledge necessary to create and execute programs and
manage the organization. Board members have experience on the boards of national and state
heritage organizations and include business owners and heritage professionals. Many have
family or personal connections to the boatyard's history, and all are dedicated to it's
success. Program partners include the national and regional maritime heritage
organizations; Coastal Heritage Alliance (MD and WA) and The Center For Wooden
Boats (Seattle, WA).
GHB board members and staff are:
JOHN MCMILLAN - VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER
CHRIS ERLICH - SECRETARY
ERIK CARLSON - BOARD MEMBER
GENE PEARSON - BOARD MEMBER
JOHN BARE - BOARD MEMBER
VERN SCOTT - BOARD MEMBER
STEVE HELGESON - PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Eddon Boatyard history
Conrad Anderson was the first to build boats on the site of Eddon Boatyard. He started a
boat building operation about 1920. In 1945, Art Glein constructed the existing facility
and operated it until 1950 when he sold it to Ed Hoppen and Don Harter. Ed and Don combined
their first names to form the Eddon Boat Company. The Hoppen/Harter partnership dissolved
shortly thereafter with Hoppen operating the boatyard until 1978.
Under Hoppen's direction, the Eddon Boat Company built commercial fishing boats, boom tugs,
sailboats and motor-yachts. It was during this period that the first Seaborn/Hoppen-designed
Thunderbird sailboat was built at the boatyard.
After 1978, the boatyard continued to operate as a boat building and repair facility until
2004 under the name of Blue Herron Yachts and later, Northwest Yachts and Boatyard.
Come aboard
Your financial contributions will go a long way. With a 20-year lease on the city-owned
boatyard secured and funds for the restoration in place, every $1 you give goes directly
to support Gig Harbor BoatShop programs and operations.
To attain sustainability, funds will also be allocated to a GHB Endowment Fund.
All gifts are appreciated and will be recognized on a donor wall. For more information
call the campaign office at (253) 241-7432. GHB Business Plans are available upon request.