Boat House
What was once a decaying building in the late 1990s is now a well-organized, year-round facility that powers projects and people for community benefit. Examples of each appear below – but first…
Brief History of The Boathouse
When the MHS was formed in 1997, organizers recognized that the island restoration project and tour boat operations would require a reliable onshore base. In those early days, then-mayor Mark Kramer proposed repurposing a dilapidated storage building that – if volunteers could restore and share – would serve as the foundation of MHS operations.
Among the founding members of MHS was Mike Stirling, a driving force, who recalls in the book We Were Here: “The east end was open to the weather, broken windows, bad and dangerous electrical system, ancient oil furnace and no toilet except one that drained out onto the parking lot.” He continues, “We decided to launch a full-scale Boat House renovation and implement it over time.”
MHS volunteers raised funds for supplies and, with town approvals and some help, repaired the foundation and masonry, replaced windows and doors, upgraded the electrical and heating systems, insulated and drywalled the interior, installed a proper washroom, put on a new roof, added a tool bench, organized loft storage – including the addition of a lift. Says Stirling, “This effort took over ten years to accomplish and all the while the building was in use. Without it, the Chantry Island Restoration would not have been possible.”
Always A Busy Boathouse
MHS Volunteers approx. 2010
Cham-bettes garage sale May 2025
To this day, the Boathouse continues to be a magnet for volunteers with a wide range of skills and community spirit. It exemplifies what’s possible when projects have space and passionate people the freedom to act. Taking each in turn…
1. Projects with Purpose
The Boathouse is where MHS volunteers are building, fixing, painting, cleaning, and maintaining a wide range of marine-related assets.
In this 2024 photo, MHS members hand-paint thousands of cedar shingles for Southampton Harbour’s Rear Range Light restoration – the second 1903 navigational beacon to be refurbished. See the projects here.
In this May 2025 example, the tour and rescue boat Peerless II receives its annual coat of antifouling paint.
There’s always a community asset receiving loving care and attention – from the separate workboat and dock components to island structures, historic artifacts, and equipment for Pioneer Park.
The Boathouse plays a vital role in island operations, as the source of equipment that volunteer crews ferry over each spring.
Here, in May 2025, the team brings everything needed to install docks and walkways, start gardens, and prepare the Keeper’s Home for the tour season.
To support the operations, MHS volunteers stock The Boathouse with a full range of tools (mostly donated), along with painting supplies and crafting materials. Additional items are acquired as needed for each restoration and community project.
The Boathouse also houses volunteer-crafted models used during MHS community information sessions, including a tabletop lighthouse, a weather signal station, and a second full-size replica storm basket that serves as a backup to the one installed in Pioneer Park. There’s also a lending library of local history and nautical books, available to those involved with MHS activities.
Beyond marine assets, other community items take shape at The Boathouse.
In this photo, the Special Events Trailer was acquired by Pumpkinfest, then repaired and wrapped by the Marine Heritage Society. It now serves as a shared resource for local service clubs transporting items throughout Saugeen Shores and beyond.
In this more playful example, The Boathouse is where Toot was born – a whimsical vessel on wheels built from a vehicle donated by BMTS.
This little boat generates big smiles (and steam out the stack) among crowds at community events throughout Grey and Bruce Counties.
Watch here this summer for news of the most recent partnership restoration project.
No matter the task, Marine Heritage Society Volunteers — bringing skills as varied as the projects themselves — come together for the challenge, the camaraderie, and as shared commitment to preserving and celebrating local heritage. Stay tuned!
2. Space for Community
More than just a workshop, The Boathouse is also a gathering place for local groups and events throughout the year. For example...
In spring, it hosts the Southport Horticultural Society’s annual Plant Sale Donation Day.
Similarly, the Cham-bettes use the space for their public garage sale, with proceeds going back to the community.
In summer, it transforms into an extended classroom for students at the neighbouring Southampton Art School – providing more space for creative and cultural expression
It’s also the hub for Southampton’s weekly
Artisans & Tastes Market. MHS volunteers roll out tents, tables, signage, power, and more to serve over 50 vendors and welcome hundreds of local shoppers and out-of-town visitors to the Southampton downtown core.
Come fall, The Boathouse is the Cham-bettes’ hub for the annual Sharecrow Tour, supporting local food banks.
By December, it’s brimming with festive finds for the Cham-bettes’ Christmas Garage Sale. This gathering, started in 2016, helped inspire the broader Christmas in Southampton collaboration featuring six venues.
Even through the darkest months, volunteer spirits stay bright with “winter projects” that keep hands busy, and people connected.
Watch for news of this past winter’s restoration partnership project.
Plus, Helping St. Nick Spread Holiday Magic…
“Twas the months before Christmas, when all through The Boathouse
Every volunteer was building – even the mouse!”
The Boathouse even becomes Santa’s Workshop when needed.
In these photos, MHS elves helped Rotary refurbish the big sleigh, ensuring a safe and colourful ride for Santa at the annual nighttime parades in Southampton and Port Elgin.
And yearly, MHS lights up the Peerless II, Toot, and a Model T belonging to MHS member Jane Kramer (below), for three more contributions to community parades.
In Summary
The Boathouse is where people and projects truly shine.
Though modest in size, the Boathouse plays an outsized role in enabling MHS volunteers to preserve historic structures, offer island tours and outdoor markets that boost regional tourism, organize festivals that foster community well-being, and support other local groups in their endeavours and fundraising.
More than a building, The Boathouse stands as a model of what long-term partnership between the Town and MHS volunteers can achieve – delivering ongoing, cost-effective, community-centered outcomes.