The longest-running CWB program
Every Third Friday for over 40 years, we invite a speaker from the local maritime community to tell their story.
FREE Monthly Program
The talks are held from 6-7 PM every third Friday in the Wagner Education Center Sail Loft (2nd Floor).
Can’t make it to CWB? Watch the recording on our YouTube Channel CWB - Center for Wooden Boats! Turn your notifications on for a reminder.
November’s Speaker:
About the Talk:
Join us Friday, November 15, for an insightful Third Friday Speaker event featuring surveyor Zach Simonson-Bond, insurance underwriter Alex Jones, and shipwright Andy Stewart as they guide you through creating a “vessel stewardship plan.” Learn how to balance the unique aspects of boat ownership—from purchase and insurance to maintenance, voyaging, and beyond! This planning session is designed for boats of all sizes and materials, whether individually or group-owned.
Bring your questions for a discussion following the presentation!
Stay tuned for more details on next month’s Third Friday Speaker event, and mark your calendars!
October’s Speaker:
About the Talk:
Margaret Willson is an author and anthropologist known for her captivating books that dive deep into cultural and maritime histories. Next month, she will be discussing her latest book, "Woman, Captain, Rebel: The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain". If you’re a fan of adventure, exploration, and compelling narratives, this is a talk you won’t want to miss!
📖 Good News for Our Members! We’re excited to announce that we’ll soon have copies of "Woman, Captain, Rebel" available in our gift shop. Members can enjoy a special discount by purchasing through us—so hold off on buying elsewhere and get ready to save!
For more information about Margaret Willson, her books, and where else you can purchase them, visit her website: Margaret Willson Books.
Stay tuned for more details on next month’s Third Friday Speaker event, and mark your calendars!
August 2024
About the Talk:
Join us next Friday for a very special Third Friday Speaker! Come celebrate our newest exhibit "Marine Mosaic" and meet our artists, view and purchase their work, and learn more about their inspirations.
Previous Speakers
July 2024
Jon T. Howe : Author of published novel, Shanghaied
Alternate Speaker: Scott Pinkham, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
About the Talk:
Discussing about the story of his book , Betrayed by life, Eamon’s bitterness nearly blinds him until he finally finds the beauty of this planet undeniable and essential. His adventure is a hero’s journey. Profoundly changed, what will he find if he makes it home again?”
June 2024
Mike Tulee : Executive Director at United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
Alternate Speaker: Scott Pinkham, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
About the Talk:
Discussing UIATF plans for the upcoming Canoe Carving Center in Lake Union Park
May 2024:
Jimmy Luper: Chief Engineer on Thea Foss
Topic Description: The primary focus of the talk will be on antique diesel power, along with the role it played in developing the modern maritime world. There will be a brief timeline of marine propulsion given, a discussion of steam power, exploration of the operating theory of a Diesel engine, and then examples of remaining “heavy duty” diesels and what sets them apart.
April 2024:
April 19, 2024: Judy Rantz Willman: The Boys in the Boat — A Daughter Remembers
Topic Description: This presentation began with a little history on how the book was “born” and covers some of the process involved in its writing. Judy took a brief biographical look at each of the boys and includes both a reading from the book and film footage of the actual Olympic race taken from Leni Riefenstahl’s period documentary movie Olympia. She also spoke briefly about the 2024 MGM movie, “The Boys in the Boat”. She then took a look at what Joe Rantz was like as a father, touches on his later life, and then probed the question of why the book has had such an impact on those who read it.
March 2024:
March 15, 2024: Josh Anderson, Executive Director at The Center for Wooden Boats
Topic Description: Calling current members of CWB to join us for the 2024 annual membership meeting and dinner. Our Executive Director, Josh Anderson, will share important updates and information about the impact we have made over the last year!
Not a member yet?
February 2024:
Olive Theodore Owner of Walrus, Capital Campaign Manager at The Center for Wooden Boats
Topic Description: Olive Theodore started Walrus Boat Recycling, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and upcycling boats while tackling a variety of socioeconomic and environmental challenges.
January 2024:
January 19, 2024: Delmas Whittaker, CM, Director, Marine Maintenance Maritime Division, Port of Seattle |
Topic: Information on Port Allies Against Human Trafficking Campaign
2023 Third Friday Speakers
November 17, 2023: George Cavallo, Coast Guard Art Program Artist, Author, & Retired Rescue Swimmer
Topic: Discussing his recent book "Sharks and Daisies: Tales of a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer"
October 20, 2023: Bruce C. Arnold, AIA Jones & Jones Architects and Landscape Architects
Topic: Shared the history, process, and plans for the Northwest Native Canoe Center being built in Lake Union Park!
August 2023 Speaker: Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Managing Director, Maritime at the Port of Seattle
Topic: Provided an update on the Port’s operations and initiatives including capital projects and investments the Port is making, environmental and sustainability programs designed to reduce greenhouse gasses and improve local habitat, and workforce development programs aimed at growing and diversifying the maritime workforce.
July 2023 Speaker(s): Eric Hvalsoe, Paul Erb, Erik Hollembeak, “Pram-el” Discussion & launching ceremony, port madision pram built at CWB in 2023
Topic: We launched the Port Madison Pram built from scratch in our Traditional Boat Building class during July’s Third Friday! The launch was followed up by a launch party and ended with an hour-long panel discussion by Eric Hvalsoe and students about their experience building the boat.
June 2023 Speaker: Chief of Staff, Olav Saboe - District 13 United States Coast Guard
Coast Guard Art program
Topic: Varied roles and missions of the Coast Guard, as well as its many additional duties in Seattle. The speaker at this auspicious opening was Coast Guard District 13 Chief of Staff, Olav Saboe.
The Coast Guard inaugurated the exhibition as our Third Friday Speaker on June 16!
Thanks to the 87' U.S. Coast Guard cutter “Adelie” for tying up to our west wall and offering free tours after the talk!
May 2023 speaker(s): Youth Instructors Panel - CWB Summer Camps
Topic: What Makes Summers at CWB so Special?
April 2023 speaker: Rick Randall - the Classic Yacht Association
Topic: Stewardship and Beyond – Owning and Cruising a Classic Wooden Boat
February 2023 speaker: Chris Chase, Project Manager Western Flyer Foundation
Topic: Western Flyer History and Restoration Project
January 2023 speaker: Eric Hvalsoe, Boatwright & Designer
Topic: Completing the Lake Oswego rowboat
