Assembly 2002 - Antique Boat Museum

	In September 2002 the Museum Small Craft Association held their Annual conference, hosted by the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton New York. MSCA members and guests were delighted to have the opportunity to explore the museum site, which is in the middle of major construction and expansion. Formany, a highlight of the weekend was being ferried around the small islands of the region in classic wooden boats. Of special note, was the outstanding contribution of friends and volunteers of the Clayton Boat Museum who hosted dinners, coordinated picnics, provided ferry service to the islands and put up visitors for the night. Despite the challenges presented by major construction and ongoing development, visitors enjoyed a strong spirit of hospitality about the place. Special thanks to Antique Boat Museum Director of Museum Operations, John Summers and Curator Rebecca Hopfinger for making it happen.   The weekend offered varied sessions on watercraft history, interpretation, and technology. We were excited to learn of a new facilities development project dedicated to Maritime studies in Erie PA. Jim Stewart, executive director of the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studeis in Erie spoke about the development of youth programs at the site and the proposed construction of the Erie Boat, a 28-foot two -masted historic regional fishing craft. Research and design guidance for the project is coming from a partnership with John Montague, professor at Buffalo State College's Center for Waterfront Studies. Steve Killing of Killing Yacht Design and Dawn McColl, Collections Manager/Conservator, the Canadian Canoe Museum introduced "Smartscan" state of the art technology, designed to record the lines of the collection of watercraft in the museum. Author Tony Molica spoke about his experiences researching his book, "Gar Wood Boats: Classics of a Golden Era." Garth Wilson, Curator of The Canadian Museum of Science and Technology presented on the development of an innovative canoe exhibit. The most important part of the assembly was to honour retired boat builder Dave Dillion with the organization's John Gardner Award for his work in promoting documentation techniques for small craft. His gracious acceptance of the award touched us all, followed by his poignant words that brought us back to attention and into grips with what lay ahead for the future for small wooden craft. In his acceptance speech, Mr Dillion acknowledged the wonderful work being carried out in the areas of research documentation and preservation of watercraft. He appealed to all of us working in the field to focus on preserving the traditional skills of boat building. After a thoughtful pause he stated that one of the few things he wished he had done during his long career was to take on an apprentice. He looked up and asked us "Now who will build the boats?" We hold a tremendous responsibility in ensuring that this art is not lost. We invite readers to join us at the next MSCA assembly, to be held at the Mariners' Museum on September 12, 13, and 14 2003. ... Dawn McColl, Canadian Canoe Museum, Peterborough, Canada
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