Maine’s First Ship in Bath is unveiling its new visitor center on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Thanks to funding from the Maine Humanities Council and countless hours of hard work by MFS volunteers, the historic site dedicated to the schooner Virginia has seen a major facelift.
Located in the Bath Freight Shed on Commercial Street, the visitor center includes a replica of the ship that is currently being reconstructed, as well as a museum with artifacts and replicas from the early 17th century, when the Virginia was constructed at the mouth of the Kennebec River at Fort St. George.
“We’ve put up two big wall displays from floor-to-ceiling,” said Orman Hines, president of the MFS board. “One of these is a map of Maine drawn by (French pioneer) Samuel de Champlain, with other pictures of the Popham Colony beside it. The other display is a 20- foot-long picture of the inside of the Virginia, surrounded by additional pictures and information about the ship. There will also be display tables containing replicas of artifacts used onboard, such as rigging, tools and pottery.”
Behind the museum is the boat shed where the Virginia reconstruction is taking place. Visitors can come and watch as volunteer shipbuilders from across the Midcoast chip away at the replica vessel.
“They’re putting planks
on the outside of the ship now,” said Hines.
The shipbuilders work on the replica on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but visitors can tour the facility six days a week, with Monday being the one exception.
“Starting next week, a group of middle schoolers will begin building wooden skiffs at our facility, as well,” said Hines. “It’s a great chance for them to volunteer for the community.”
Hines encourages everyone to come out for the open house on Saturday.
“We’re going to have cookies, assorted drinks and guided tours of our facility,” said Hines. “Coffee Barn is supplying us with plenty of coffee, and our guides and shipbuilders will be talking about the Virginia’s history, as well as demonstrating the steps that go into boat building. Bath has a long heritage of shipbuilding and our facility keeps the tradition going.”
bgoodridge@timesrecord.com
• MAINE’S FIRST SHIP is located at 27 Commercial St. in Bath. For more information, visit mfship.org.
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