Boatbuilding

Heritage Boat Works Builds a Dugout Canoe!

Jay Smith2026-07-20T16:07:18-04:00July 20th, 2026|

Since May 2026, the boat building volunteers of the Heritage Boat Works program have been working on a dugout canoe. Florida has the highest concentration of archaeological dugout canoes of anywhere in the world! These canoes date back over 7,000 years into the maritime history of Florida and its indigenous populations. Archaeologists in Florida began noticing these canoes in the 1970s as dry conditions exposed many in the lakes and waterways throughout the state. Samples [...]

1760 British Yawl wooden boat recreated by Heritage Boatworks volunteers

Jay Smith2020-03-11T09:44:06-04:00March 11th, 2020|

Vessel built at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum for re-enactment group Heritage Boatworks volunteers at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum have completed a replica of a 1760 Yawl wooden sailing vessel. This commission for HMS Bellisarius, a re-enactment group, was handcrafted for near three years. “Using plans from 1760, the boat builders have constructed a working Yawl. These boats were adopted by the British Navy in 1701 as the smallest class [...]

Lighthouse Seeks Volunteers and Docents for Boatbuilding Program

amy.gress2015-05-14T09:46:20-04:00May 14th, 2015|

Just in time for the city’s 450th celebration, residents are invited to be part of history by volunteering with the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum’s traditional wooden boatbuilding program. ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA. – For much of St. Augustine’s early history, wooden boats were a ubiquitous part of city life. Our ancestors built these watercraft by hand, a tradition that is now being carried forward by the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum’s Boatworks program. With three projects [...]

Heritage Boat Works Builds a Dugout Canoe!

1760 British Yawl wooden boat recreated by Heritage Boatworks volunteers

Lighthouse Seeks Volunteers and Docents for Boatbuilding Program

Open daily from 9am - 6pm. Free parking.