Nautical heritage to be relived with the arrival of the Welcome

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

The armed sloop Welcome?s appearance in Rogers City during the 2009 Nautical Festival seems to be a perfect fit for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it is a perfect tie-in with the nautical theme, established in Rogers City more than a quarter of a century ago.

It also goes well with the ?Rendezvous? event on the grounds of the museum, where history re-enactors, dressed up in clothing from a time when the country was still in its infancy, will demonstrate what life was like in the late 1700s, which is about the time the original Welcome was built.

A replica was built at Fort Michilimackinac in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of Independence Day, but it fell into disrepair. FOR THE last 17 years, the Maritime Heritage Alliance of Traverse City has been undertaking a massive restoration effort, and its return to the Great Lakes in July, including the stop in Rogers City, seems appropriate as the local festival is undergoing a rebirth of its own.

Plans are to dock the 55-foot ship at the Rogers City marina and have it available for tours and cruises. According to museum curator Mark Thompson, who has been coordinating the museum events, a lot of the daily events will focus on children?s activities. A $5 fee for tours is being proposed for adults, while the Rogers City Optimist Club has stepped forward and offered to pay the admission of any child interested in boarding her.

?They?ve (RC Optimist) given us a contribution that will allow us to have children go though the boat for free, which is really great because it really fits in with our philosophy at the museum to involve children in as many things as we can,? said Thompson.

THE CREW of the Welcome also will be doing re-enactments and demonstrations of how to load and fire the cannons, blacks

mithing, etc. The Northeast Michigan Shipmasters? Lodge, which has sailors from Alpena and Presque Isle Counties, has contributed half of the charter fee. The dates are August 6-9. Thompson said parts of the visit need to be solidified, as the museum needs to raise the remaining $1,500.

?Because we don?t have all the money yet, we?ve not firmed up the complete schedule,? said Thompson. The Welcome was originally constructed in 1774 at Michilimackinac as a private trading vessel, but lost in a late 1781 storm. Its final resting place remains a mystery although it is likely in the Straits of Mackinac.

The encampment of the Rendezvous on the lawn of the museum and the Pow Wow, moved to Lakeside Park, bring together a growing list of historical activities the museum continues to build on.