Serial # Search Request for Old Town Canoe, ca. 1913

Douglas Darling

New Member
Hi,
I would like to research the history of an Old Town Canoe that has been in our family for many years. The serial number is 26829. From the WCHA website, I have discerned that the canoe was likely built around 1913. The canoe has been beautifully restored and is in active duty on our New Hampshire pond.

We would love to have access to the build record and any other information available on this canoe.

Thanks!

Doug
Canoe serial.JPG
 
Welcome and congratulations, the Old Town canoe with serial number 26829 is a 17 foot long, CS (Common Sense or middle) grade, HW (heavy water) model with red Western cedar planking, open spruce gunwales, ash decks, ash thwarts, ash seats, open spruce finish (outside) rails, and a keel. It was built between May and June, 1913. The original exterior paint color was bright red. It shipped on June(?) 27th, 1913 to Boston, Massachusetts. A scan showing this build record can be found by following the link at the attached thumbnail image below.

26829.jpg

This scan and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will donate, join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/about-wcha to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/store/membership to join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer this description doesn't match the canoe. Canoes with a family connection are always extra special. Feel free to reply if you have any other questions.

Benson
 
Benson,

Thanks for your quick reply. I have been able to determine that the buyer, William Read & Sons, was a long-time seller of guns and sporting equipment in Boston.

I very much appreciate your specific information and beautiful website. I ordered an Old Town Canoe decal for the canoe and made a contribution to WCHA.

Happy paddling,
Doug
 
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