FRIENDS OF THE GOVERNOR STONE INC
Cause Area
- Arts & Culture
- Children & Youth
- Community
- Education & Literacy
- Veterans & Military Families
Location
1400-1498 Bayview AvePO BOX 15968 Zip 32401PANAMA CITY, FL 32401 United StatesWebsite:
http://www.governorstone.org
Organization Information
Mission Statement
Our mission is to highlight and share the history of waterfront communities by sailing and exhibiting the 1877 Schooner Governor Stone along the Northern Gulf Coast. Recovery from Hurricane Michael is our objective through 2023. Rebuilding the 1877 Schooner Governor Stone enables us to share our love and knowledge of the sea, sailing, and the history of waterfront communities along the Northern Gulf Coast with you and your family, our neighbors from the very young to our cherished elders.
Description
We are a group of people who share a love of the sea, sailing ships and their history. Our specific focus is sharing our love and knowledge of the sailing vessel Governor Stone, a designated National Historic Landmark that is 145 years old.
We offer educational opportunities for various youth groups and day sailings for the general public. We teach historic and current maritime practices; boater and sailing safety; historic sailing skills; local and regional history; and we encourage appreciation and preservation of the waterways and aquatic creatures.
Category 5 Hurricane Michael destroyed the Governor Stone in October 2018. Matching funds were raised to receive a FEMA historic grant and rebuilding started in May 2022. We anticipate relaunching her in late 2023, which will be her 146 year in existence.
After the Governor Stone is back on the water, we will embark on a multi-city sailing tour from her original birthplace in Pascagoula, Mississippi along the entire Gulf Coast with stops in major cities like Mobile and Pensacola, but more importantly, the smaller towns like Spanish Fort, Fort Walton, Port St Joe, Apalachicola and Carrabelle where shallow draft sailing vessels like the Governor Stone played a major part in both commerce and recreation for our area.
Whether you are hands-on with woodworking or nautical skills or you prefer to help with administrative tasks like newsletters, fundraising and grant writing, come aboard and become a FOGS Shipmate!