A day-long barn-raising Saturday along the Rondout Creek puts the finishing touch on a winter homeport for the sloop Clearwater - Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports
In January, the state announced $400,000 would be given to the Hudson River Maritime Museum to help pay for the construction of a permanent homeport for the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. The grant was to be matched by the Clearwater organization and the museum. An additional $125,000 grant was secured --- Clearwater Board President Allan Shope donated timber and architectural services
Doctor Jack Weeks is on the board of the Hudson River Maritime Museum - he shares the boards vision going forward - "if you build it they will come."
Allan Shope explains the two-story, 4500-square-foot barn will serve as the both the winter berth and repair shop for the sloop Clearwater, (which formerly spent winters docked in Saugerties) and also as a multipurpose building for the museum.
The Clearwater organization works to preserve and protect the Hudson River. It was founded in 1966 by musician, environmental activist and Dutchess County resident Pete Seeger. The group’s namesake vessel, a replica of sloops that sailed on the Hudson River in the 18th and 19th centuries, was launched in 1969.
Clearwater executive director Jeff Rumpf envisions the new homeport as a tourist attraction: Rumpf believes people will seek out the Kingston homeport for boats and music - he says it could become the next Mystic Seaport. The barn-rasing gets underway 5am Saturday. Other activities will takeplace all day long.