History museum, boatshop, take fundraising efforts online in pandemic

Hard hit by the pandemic, two of Gig Harbor’s iconic nonprofits, the Harbor History Museum and the Gig Harbor Boatshop, are taking their fundraising efforts online.

The boatshop has opened an online store, offering a line of branded nautical gear, including hats, t-shirts and hoodies, many featuring either the boatshop logo or the locally famed fishboat Veteran.

The store is at https://gigharborboatshop.mybigcommerce.com/

The museum is hosting its annual auction, usually a see-and-be-seen social event, online this year. The online auction opened today, Sept. 17 and will continue until the live-streamed auction at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night.

Auction items include a fishing trip for two to Alaska and a ride on a working tugboat. Others include a vintage marine toilet in porcelain and brass, an oil painting by local artist Mary McInnis, several restaurant dinners, an antique quilt, and numerous maritime-themed photographs.

To join the bidding, go to https://harborhistorymuseum.ejoinme.org/HistoryRocks2020.

Click on the Livestream button on the page when the event goes live on Saturday.

The museum recommends tuning in with two devices (computer/tablet/cell phone) or open two tabs on your computer. This will allow you to watch the livestream program and bid in the mobile bidding platform during the event.

The livestream will include a talk by Executive Director Stephanie Lile about the future of the museum, an update on the restoration of the fishing vessel Shenandoah, and a sneak peek into the museum’s recent acquisitions.

This story was originally published September 12, 2020 at 3:54 PM.