New History Talks: Heritage Boats and Boat-Building

Based on our popular blog series, Tom has prepared a few new talks discussing heritage boat-building projects around the world. The wealth of examples means this presentation can be tailored to your interest in at least four different ways. Want something centred on Vancouver and the Pacific Coast? Or on Indigenous heritage projects? See below!

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Expo ’86 looms large in the public memory of Vancouver, and so do boats! Those visiting marine plaza got to see Canadian York Boats and Bill Reid’s Haida Canoe, the tallships Golden Hinde and Bounty III, and the making of an Indonesian Phinisi. Join me to discuss these heritage boatbuilding projects, and how they preserved and revived heritage skills, facilitated community, and commemorated magical histories.

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In 1986 Bill Reid oversaw the building of Loo Taas (the Wave Eater) a Haida canoe that inspired a generation of First Nations people and craftsmen. Other Indigenous communities around the world have attempted the same, and each boat has lessons to teach us. From planked canoes built by the Chumash nation, moosehide boats from the Dene, the revival of Polynesian voyaging techniques, and the passing on of Maori canoe-carving – you’ll find inspiring stories of Indigenous skills and community revitalisation.

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In 1986, after a successful exhibition at Vancouver’s Expo ’86, Bill Reid’s Haida Canoe Loo Taas (the Wave Eater), was paddled up the Pacific Coast home to Haida Gwai, visiting multiple First Nations communities along the way. This voyage sparked a renaissance of canoe-building and culture. Listen to four other stories of voyage re-enactments: from Polynesia in double-hulled boats; from California in an Indigenous planked canoe; from Indonesia in a Phinisi; and from Europe in majestic tallships. We’ll discuss the revival of heritage boatbuilding skills, building community, and the benefits and challenges of maritime commemoration.

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(and the original…)

The Wind in the Willows suggested that there wasn’t anything much more fun than “messing about with boats.” But time and geography, people and communities are engaged in building and launching heritage watercraft. From canoes built to pass on skills to tallships constructed to commemorate history, this presentation will take you through five amazing boats built by different communities with different aims – but all in the same spirit. Presented not as a serious discussion of the nuts and bolts, but of heritage crafts and community.

To enquire about this presentation, drop me a line!