GOLD2025

Grays Harbor Historical Seaport

Sail. Learn. Discover.

Aberdeen, WA   |  http://www.historicalseaport.org/

Mission

The mission of Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is to provide educational and recreational experiences that connect our Maritime History.

Ruling year info

1993

Executive Director

Brandi Bednarik

Main address

500 N Custer St

Aberdeen, WA 98520-7614 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

91-1357638

NTEE code info

Historical Societies and Related Activities (A80)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

We believe that maritime history is heritage for all people. Our tall ship, Lady Washington, travels the west coast bringing experiential education to people of all ages. For kids, we get them outside, working with their hands, and interacting with history. For young adults, we provide them job skills to access family wage jobs in the maritime industry. For people of all ages, we are ambassadors of history, taking people sailing, giving free vessel tours, and being present for our complex history through reconciliation ceremonies with Native American tribal groups. The common thread of our work is education and empowerment on the water.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Seaport Landing

Seaport Landing exists in a disadvantaged area. Aberdeen has battled unemployment and social issues for years. Its identity as a mill town disappeared with the closure of the sawmills. This caused job loss, increased homelessness, and increased depression and mental health issues. Compared to the state, the city has a lower median income, a 2.5x higher poverty rate, and a lower employment rate. However, it is a community of perseverance and hard-working people with dedication. There are few community spaces and none in South Aberdeen. Seaport Landing intends to address this problem. Aberdeen can create something to be proud of. We can provide tourism opportunities alongside community programming and outdoor recreation. Creating a hub for tourists and the community requires completing this project. Our current community programming provides some help. This infrastructure will allow us to meet the community's needs.

Population(s) Served

This 14-day sail training program brings history alive and builds the skills needed to work onboard a vessel. As crew members, participants live, work, and sleep on the boat. TWBM has served hundreds of people, from teenagers to retirees. Many novice sailors participating in TWBM have become licensed Captains and Mates.

Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Women and girls
Men and boys
Adults

Voyage of Explorers is an exciting maritime history experience that includes classroom lesson plans building up to sailing on a real-life tall ship. This program gets kids out of the classroom and onto the water. They set all the sails of tall ship Lady Washington themselves, and break into small groups for hands-on history lessons centered around early US trade routes that gave rise to the Pacific Fur Trade in the 19th century.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

For families, history enthusiasts and those interested in shorter trips, we offer an “Adventure on the High Seas.” You’ll travel back in time and sail as they did on the original Lady Washington in the 1700s and 1800s. You’ll even haul lines, set sails and sing sea shanties while learning about American maritime exploration throughout the years. Perhaps you’re approaching a special anniversary or milestone or just want to create a blissful new memory with friends. Make it a celebration for the ages with a “Sunset to Remember” cruise. We’ll drift through charming West Coast towns as you and your significant other or treasured friends and family have a relaxing and sensational time out at sea. You can even book live music aboard to create a soundtrack for the evening. Mother Nature will dazzle as the sunset paints the sky and marks an unforgettable experience for you and your loved ones. For the truly adventurous types, we also occasionally offer one-way transit to another port. Depend

Population(s) Served
Adults
Children and youth

Where we work

  • Oregon (United States)

  • Washington (United States)

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

We envision a world where all people have access to the incredible Pacific Ocean. Through knowing and understanding this environment, we can all be better stewards of our shared history and our planet. We seek to equip people with the skills they need to be on the water for their job, for recreation, and for learning.

We build strong partnerships with other nonprofits, community groups, and the commercial industry to make this vision a reality. Our network of supporters is large, diverse, and committed to preserving tall ships. Our tenets of sustainable operation are: 1) An engaged core of Seaport members, 2) Outreach and inclusion, bringing people in regardless of ability to pay, 3) Building strong community partnerships that allow us to grow, and 5) Innovating.

Our organization brings a team of 23 full time employees, our two breathtaking tall ships, and our development at Seaport Landing. We utilize these resources carefully to further our mission of education and empowerment on the water. We solve a tremendous amount of problems through our network- many supporters are skilled tradespeople who help maintain our vessels so they can continue to serve as many people as possible.

In 2017 we have successfully completed phase 1 of Hawaiian Chieftain's "Project Overhaul" restoration, increased safety training and equipment onboard, announced the launch of Sea School in 2018 (including securing funding for 3 consecutive years and hiring a Director), served over 60,000 people, and trained 40 new mariners. Our goals for 2018 include increased community outreach and marketing, including 3-4 public panels on maritime job opportunities, participation in industry expos and festivals, and launching new free community events at Seaport Landing. We will provide a full scholarship to up to 48 participants to learn job skills on our vessels, participants chosen based on low-income status and merit. In 2018, we will empower more people than ever to discover new opportunities on the ocean.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time

Financials

Grays Harbor Historical Seaport
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

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Grays Harbor Historical Seaport

Board of directors
as of 5/26/2025
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Dave Douglass

Cindy Sherman

CR Johnson

Dave Douglass

Denver Robbins Director

Jamie Nichols Director

Liz Ellis Secretary

Regina Haney

Scott Reynvaan

Vanessa LaValle

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? no

Organizational demographics

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability