Monday, July 31, 2017

Maine's First Ship and Bath Freight Shed Alliance Join Forces

Keith Spiro photo


Maine’s First Ship and the Bath Freight Shed Alliance have joined forces to create one organization. After several months of planning and a number of meetings, the legal and financial documents have just been filed, allowing Maine’s First Ship to carry forward the mission of the Freight Shed as a vital community resource for Bath and the surrounding area. The Freight Shed will also provide a permanent home for Virginia, a reconstruction of the 1607 ship built by English colonists at the mouth of the Kennebec. The Bath Freight Shed also serves as the winter home for the Farmers Market, and MFS Visitor Center exhibit.

Supporters and Board Members of both organizations recently celebrated the event with a potluck supper at the Freight Shed. Freight Shed President Wiebke Theodore recalled the history of the renovations to the building as one of collaboration between the two organizations. “Now,” she said, “we have the shared energy of volunteers from both groups to further the building’s use by members of the community.” Indeed, volunteer shipbuilders have also worked on the Freight Shed’s renovations, installing doors and sheathing.
 
Recent renovation of the South facade
Maine’s First Ship President Orman Hines was also pleased by the Freight Shed Alliance’s decision to be absorbed by Maine’s First Ship, explaining that it allows more coordination for what he sees as shared goals. As stated in the merger document, Maine’s First Ship’s vision is to offer a “wide range of programs on Virginia and in the Freight Shed to enhance Bath and local communities through historical exhibits, the Winter Farmers Market, tours, events, and education.” It also provides more stability for the organization.

The reconfigured MFS Board of Directors includes two people who were also board members of the former Freight Shed Alliance board, and has added three new members from the former board.

In the meantime, visitors will see few changes in the outward activity at the site, located at 27 Commercial Street in Bath. People from the public and events continue all summer in the Freight Shed and shipbuilding is proceeding in the Freight Shed and outside in the plastic boat shed. Shipbuilders work on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the Visitor Center in the Freight Shed is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 to 3, and Sunday from 11-3. Everything is free and open to the public.

To volunteer or for more information, call the MFS office (207) 443-4242, or email mfs1@myfairpoint.net, www.mfship.org.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

2017 Full Moon Potluck Dinner


Please join us in celebrating our collaborative efforts 
to support the Freight Shed as a vital community resource!

 
Full Moon Potluck Supper 

Sunday, July 9th  5:00 - 7:30



Preview of Charlie Hudson's most recent film
Live Music
BYOB


Bring a dish or make a $15 donation if it's not a cooking day for you!


It's a wonderful chance to socialize and catch up on the progress
and plans for the Freight Shed.


Send us an email to RSVP or for more information.

See you at the freight shed!

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Monday, March 27, 2017

Volunteers Needed!

Spring is on its way! 


The last Winter Farmers Market will be on Saturday, April 29th. 
Volunteers are needed to help us get the Freight Shed ready for the summer.

Scheduled Work Days

Saturday, April 29   12 - 4
Wednesday May 3   12 -4

The work list will be on the chalk board at the last market so folks can help as soon as the vendors leave on Saturday!

take down tarps and store
put up coffee station in the south end
vacuum the space
repair the torn plastic on the window
clean the kitchen
finish painting
remove old storm doors
remove plastic / tar paper
enclose south end base with marine ply
  

Thank you for your help!


 
 

Thursday, January 5, 2017

New Doors for the Freight Shed

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remember those awkward storm doors? 
 
 
With the support of a grant from the Davis Family Foundation and the skills of Maine’s First Ship volunteers, new air-tight, insulated doors and transom windows have been installed at the freight shed. Not only is the building warmer, with the ungainly overhead doors gone, the space is really unified, as it once was. 
 
 
A major quality of the freight shed is its ability to connect Front Street with the Kennebec River. Drive down Lambard Street—the new doors make this view available at all times!
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Giving Tuesday 2016

In the spirit of Giving Tuesday we hope you will consider a contribution to our annual appeal.  

Your donation will help us continue the restoration of the freight shed and preserve this vital community center.

 

To download our annual appeal letter and send a donation by mail, click here.

 

Click below to donate using a credit or debit card.

 



Thank you! We are very grateful for your ongoing support.

All donations to the Bath Freight Shed Alliance are tax-deductible.