Center for Wooden Boats

Across the shimmering waters of Lake Union, the Center for Wooden Boats beckons. It’s not just a museum. It’s a living testament to Seattle’s maritime heritage. Imagine a man on the Fremont Bridge in 1957. He’s watching someone struggle with a boat mast. That helpful man was Dick Wagner, and his act of kindness sparked the creation of the Center for Wooden Boats. The Center for Wooden Boats officially began in 1976. It started as a “living museum.” Dick and his wife Colleen had a growing collection of small boats near their houseboat. They started renting them out, fostering a community of boat enthusiasts. This community became the heart of the Center for Wooden Boats, officially becoming a nonprofit in 1979. The Center for Wooden Boats isn’t about static displays. It’s about hands-on experiences. The Wagners believed the best way to learn about boats is to use them. So the Center for Wooden Boats encourages visitors to get out on the water. The Center for Wooden Boats has expanded over the years. It now has locations at South Lake Union, Northlake, and even Cama Beach State Park. Its collection includes over 170 vessels, from small sailboats to rowboats. The Blanchard Junior Knockabout is a favorite. The Center for Wooden Boats holds a piece of Seattle’s heart. It connects the city’s past with its present, keeping the spirit of wooden boats alive.