Seattle has a floating treasure on Lake Union, and this year it’s celebrating a golden milestone. The Center for Wooden Boats, the nonprofit living maritime museum in South Lake Union, is kicking off its 50th Anniversary Season with renewed energy across its campus: docks are back in use, boats are on the water, and seasonal programs are in full swing.
Unlike traditional museums, this one begs to be touched. Admission is always free, and visitors are invited to sail heritage boats, try their hand at boatbuilding in the Boatshop, explore the floating collections, and join hands-on maritime programs. This anniversary year puts the spotlight on access, restoration, and community engagement, honoring the people and volunteers who have shaped the center’s waterfront presence over five decades.
The celebration includes the PRIMA Jubilee Art Exhibition, a nautical art show running through November 8 with seventeen artists from across the West Coast and Hawaii, plus youth sailing programs, classes, and the recent City of Seattle landmark designation for its South Lake Union home. It’s a year to fall in love with Seattle’s maritime heritage, one wooden boat at a time.
Photo: The Center for Wooden Boats
