Wooden boat building in Newfoundland and Labrador has shaped the cultural landscape and lives of people living in Newfoundland and Labrador for centuries. When the Wooden Boat Musuem first opened in 1997, it dedicated itself to preserving the skills, tools and knowledge necessary for wooden boat construction. The museum demonstrates what life was like in outport communities.
Today, the museum’s Boats and Builders Project collects oral histories from across Newfoundland and Labrador in order to document different construction techniques, skills and knowledge associated with wooden boats. Boat building was a craft passed down from generation to generation through word of mouth and observational learning – in short, the tradition was not written down. Documenting these oral histories is essential to preserving the knowledge held by boat builders and to ensure that the tradition continues for generations to come.
The museum is home to kayaks – first built by the Thule people and one of the oldest crafts – punts, dories and more. The museum exhibits every stage in the boat building process and how a wooden boat progresses from tree trunk to a sea-worthy vessel. They also demonstrate how boats differ from community to community, whether it be in style to colour to stem construction. They also offer hands on workshops and courses.
Sources:
https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/trip-ideas/travel-stories/the-wooden-boat-museum
https://www.woodenboatmuseum.com/
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