HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

The Gundalow Company received a proclamation from Governor John Lynch in October 2012 in recognition of the new programs on the sailing classroom Piscataqua, and for being a nonprofit with a diversified program and business model.  He also recognized the Gundalow Company’s success in fulfilling its mission to protect the region’s maritime heritage and environment. (See photo and proclamation below)

Gundalows were once the primary mode of transporting cargo to tidewater towns in the Piscataqua Region. Now, the Gundalow Company operates two of these vessels, both historically accurate replicas of the original cargo ships.  Both vessels serve as floating classrooms in different capacities.  The Captain Adams, which was built in 1982, serves as a dockside program vessel, and has served as the primary program venue since the Gundalow Company’s inception in 2002.  The Piscataqua was built and launched in 2011, and serves to provide public sailing trips as well as educational opportunities while under sail.

Molly Bolster, the Gundalow Company’s executive director, received the proclamation presented by Governor Lynch by saying: “We are truly honored to accept this award – that goes to hundreds of people who are the Gundalow Company –starting with staff, board, volunteers and members as well as donors, foundations. Special recognition goes to the boat builders who built the Piscataqua and the Captain and crew who have done more than 200 trips this season with locals and tourists and hundreds of students from all over NH who have participated in our programs.

While our mission is very place-based and specific to the seacoast rivers and bays, the experience we offer daily on the Piscataqua has the potential to reach tourist and residents who treasure this place as well as thousands of students each year who will become the future stewards of our rivers and bays.

Gundalows have been the iconic workboats for the NH seacoast since the 1600’s and we are so proud to be recognized today for using the new gundalow to protect NH’s maritime heritage and to celebrate our rivers, bays, estuaries, and watersheds for the future.”

The Gundalow Company began offering public sails aboard the Piscataqua in May of 2012, and will continue the sailing season through October 28.  More information may be found on their website: www.gundalow.org or by calling (603) 433-9505.