Social Media Images

[Benson Gray]

FROM THE 1890s: If you ever had any doubts about the lifespan of a wood/canvas canoe, take a look at this 15-foot beauty! Members Kathy Klos and Denis Kallery refer to her as “the EBW” because these are the initials on the bow thwart, and because they are uncertain who built it. Construction-wise, she probably dates back to the 1890s, appears to be Maine-built, and has features similar to Gerrish canoes of that era: closed gunwales that extend beyond the stems with the ends wrapped in leather, thwart mortised into the gunwales, and American chestnut trim. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #mainecanoe

 

[Benson Gray]

WEE LASSIE + 2 FEET = BURLY LADDIE: Member Geoffrey Burke built this beautiful lapstrake canoe which traces its heritage back to 1883 when John Henry Rushton built the famous Sairy Gamp for “Nessmuck”, who then took it on a 300 mile cruise through the Adirondacks. This canoe is a stretched version of the famous Wee Lassie design, and is ideally sized for an average adult and a light camp outfit. Made from cedar, cherry, oak, and tamarack – the same woods that Rushton used – she is beautiful to behold and a joy to paddle. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #chocoruaboatworks #rushtoncanoe

 

[Benson Gray]

ACROSS THE BOW: Very early one foggy morning on a lake in Edersee Germany during the annual Kringelfieber freestyle canoeing event which is attended
by paddlers interested in freestyle or “Quietwater” canoeing from all over Europe. The photo shows the bow deck of Nick Dennis’s 1900 Peterborough Cedar Rib Canoe “Femme Fatale”. Looks like perfect paddling weather. Photo by Nick Dennis. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #peterboroughcanoe #kringelfieber

 

[Benson Gray]

WAITING FOR ANOTHER TRIP OUT: An Adirondack Guide Boat in its natural setting on Lower Saint Regis Lake in New York’s Adirondack Park. Just one of many beautiful boats at the 2015 Wooden Canoe Heritage Association Assembly at Paul Smith’s College. Technically not a canoe, but still part of our family. Photo by Jess Buttery. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #paulsmiths #adirondacks #wchaassembly

 

[Benson Gray]

NEW AND READY TO GO: A new design from Alex Comb of Stewart River Boatworks. The 13’6” Damselfly sits along the north shore of Lake Superior on a foggy morning. This one is covered in aircraft dacron to make for a light solo canoe. Photo by Alex Comb. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #stewartriverboatworks #damselfly #lakesuperior

 

[Benson Gray]

A MUSEUM PIECE: These pictures show one of the oldest of sixteen known Morris Veazie canoes. Judged to be circa 1905, it is one of only four known to have the "keyhole" deck that would eventually evolve into the standard Morris curved deck. Veazie was a line of canoes made on the same molds as the premium Morris boats. This was fully restored by Tom Seavey of Azland Traditions (https://azlandtraditions.com/) in 2013. It has been generously donated to the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum (https://wisconsincanoeheritagemuseum.org/). Photographs by Norm Sims. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #veaziecanoe #morriscanoe #azlandtraditions #wisconsincanoeheritagemuseum

 

[Benson Gray]

RAINBOW’S END: Doug Cropper’s 1929 Old Town, CS Grade, HW model complete with sponsons on Lower St. Regis Lake during the 2016 WCHA Assembly at Paul Smiths College in the Adirondacks of New York. The canoe was discovered and rescued from a barn scheduled to be burned as a fire department drill. Former shop teacher, Doug, brought it to school, and much of the restoration was done by his students. Photo by Greg O’Brien. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #oldtowncanoe #lowerstregis #adirondacks

 

[Gary]

Hey Benson, This is a photo which was in the most recent issue of Adirondac magazine. With the caption "how one typically set off on a canoe - camping outing in 1906". I thought it might be of interest to the WCHA and I've asked for and been granted permission from their Editor to share this photo. As long as I give credit to Ellen Apperson Brown. I thought if anyone could identify the canoe in the wagon it would be you. Might be a nice shot for our historical photo in the next issue of the magazine? Ellen has indicated an interest in sharing more canoeing stories about the person who took the photo, John S Apperson Jr. if you're interested?
Gary

 

[1905Gerrish]

B.N Morris, looks like a roof rack is needed!

 

[Benson Gray]

I agree with 1905Gerrish that it looks like a Morris but more interior details would be required for confirmation. These wagons without springs were often called buckboards and the passenger's expression indicates that padding wasn't enough to make the ride comfortable. I will forward this on to Chris Eden to see if he wants to use it in a future issue of the magazine. Thanks,

Benson

 

[Benson Gray]

LAPSTRAKE TRAVELLER: A 12 ft lapstrake double blade paddle canoe built in 1982 for John Holscher by Michael McEvoy of Battenkill Boatworks in Greenwich, New York. This 12 footer took John “back in time” on an extended trip in the Adirondacks of New York State. Photo by John Holscher. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #battenkillboatworks #adirondacks

 

[Benson Gray]

“RUDOLPH” RESTING IN THE IRIS: “Rudolph” is a 17 foot Racine ‘Navaho’ model built at McGreivey’s Canoe Shop in Cato, NY in 2002. Here she rests among the Japanese Iris at member Ken Kelly’s camp at Twin Lakes, Michigan. The ‘Navaho’ model was the highest grade Racine offered, with 24 inch decks, all mahogany trim, and an attractive upsweep and recurve at the stems. Ken brought “Rudolph” to Assembly in 2014 when the WCHA celebrated the work of its modern member/builders. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #racinecanoe #mcgreiveycanoe #twinlakes

 

[Benson Gray]

A “TEMPORARY” SPRUCE BARK CANOE: Amy Schmidt paddles a brand new 16 foot spruce bark canoe. This style of canoe was made by the Native people as a temporary canoe - used for a few years and then discarded. Member Ferdy Goode built this canoe with the help of volunteers in 2013 at the Great Lakes Traditional Arts Gathering on Drummond Island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. All materials were harvested on the island – white spruce bark, roots, and gunnels, white cedar ribs and sheathing, and pitch as the sealant. Total construction time: one day to harvest materials and three days to build and launch! #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #birchbarkcanoe #ferdygoode #beaverbarkcanoe

 

[Benson Gray]

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY: A postcard from the early 1950s. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #oldtowncanoe #hottime #postcard

 

[Benson Gray]

A PERFECT REFLECTION: The calm morning water of Dow Lake in Strouds Run State Park, Athens County, Ohio mirrors the beautiful maple leaf design on Craig Johnson’s 1939 Kennebec 17 footer, which features mahogany trim, 20” decks and coamings, and outside stems. Craig did the restoration work on this canoe, and also on the 1956 Old Town Guide in the background, which was the subject of an article in the February 2012 issue of Wooden Canoe. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #kennebeccanoe #dowlake #oldtowncanoe

 

[Benson Gray]

A PERFECT DAY FOR A PADDLE: This classic pose of canoe and pack basket was taken on an early morning paddle enjoyed by member Joseph Brown. The scene is set on the Manhan River in Western Massachusetts, and the boat is Joe’s restored Trapper style canoe from an unknown builder. As the mist burned off and he got further upstream, Joe found the type of peaceful solitude that only a wooden canoe and a beautiful river can provide. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #manhanriver #trappercanoe

 

[Benson Gray]

OTCA IN THE PINE BARRENS: Member Jim Wilson framed this striking shot on the Oswego River, in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, in the spring of 2011. This beautiful canoe is a 17 foot long Old Town OTCA model in AA (or top) grade with serial number 126926. It was restored by member Mike Leone. The canoe was purchased from Vaughn Sporting Goods in Paterson, New Jersey during 1940 and was given to Mike by the son of the original owner. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #oldtowncanoe #oswegoriver #pinebarrens

 

[Benson Gray]

ART OF THE CANOE: Jerry Stelmok's meticulously crafted Millennium Sojourner canoe #8, exquisitely painted to illustrate the Corps of Discovery Expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark from 1804-1806. "Wooden Canoe" is the journal of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA). This is one of the primary benefits of membership in the WCHA. Photograph by Garrett Conover. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #whitecanoe #islandfallscanoe

 

[Benson Gray]

WHEN A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS: Selecting this picture was easy. It elegantly sums up what the WCHA is all about – good friends and family, gorgeous water and scenery, wonderful adventures – all wrapped around a common love of beautiful wooden canoes. Member Mike Livdahl captured the moment as the Northwest Chapter paused during a paddle at Manning Park in British Columbia during their fall 2012 meet. Photo by Mike Livdahl. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #manningpark #mikelivdahl

 

[Benson Gray]

ANNUAL ASSEMBLY: The Assembly this year will be featuring solo canoes and remembering Tom MacKenzie. It will be held from July 14th to the 19th in Paul Smiths New York. Please join us. #wcha #wchaorg #canoe #woodencanoeheritageassociation #woodencanoe #mackenziecanoe #looncanoe #paulsmiths #adirondacks