About Us

The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) public development authority based in Aberdeen, Wash. that owns and operates the tall ships Lady Washington, the Official Ship of the State of Washington, and the Hawaiian Chieftain. Download our GHHSA Quick Facts sheet.

GHHSA
712 Hagara St.
PO Box 2019
Aberdeen, WA 98520
1-800-200-5239
ghhsa_admin@historicalseaport.org

Mission
History
Vision
Our Staff
Board of Directors
Press Releases / Newsletters
In the News
Our Home Port
Donate!
Membership

Mission
GHHSA’s mission is to provide educational, vocational, recreational and ambassadorial activities and experiences that promote and preserve the maritime history of Grays Harbor, the Pacific Northwest, and our nation while serving the needs of the community.

History
Chartered by the City of Aberdeen, Washington in 1986, GHHSA was formed to construct a Tall Ship Ambassador for Washington State, and to operate that vessel and others from a first-class maritime heritage facility in Aberdeen. The Lady Washington, a full-scale reproduction of the first American vessel to visit the west coast of North America in approximately 1788, was launched in March 1989. In 1999, GHHSA secured a gift of an abandoned truck shop facility on 294 acres of industrial property, which GHHSA renovated and converted into the Seaport Learning Center. The Center provides storage, office, maintenance, and teaching space for the organization. GHHSA runs innovative program partnerships with elementary, middle and high schools, parks departments, state and federal agencies, historical organizations, other tall ships, juvenile corrections programs, educational service districts, and universities. Our clients come from Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, British Columbia, and elsewhere.

Vision
GHHSA is currently raising funds for the creation of Seaport Landing, a major education, maintenance, and tourism destination facility on Aberdeen’s historic waterfront. In 2003, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources signed a 30-year shoreline lease with GHHSA for a 320-foot section of the waterfront on the Chehalis River at the historic Pakonen & Son Boatyard. This lease includes uplands as well as the waterway to the outer harbor line. The site has frontage on U.S. Highway 101, a major tourism route, and the site is clearly visible to both northbound and southbound traffic. The site currently includes a pier, docks and boat launch, all of which require replacement. The opportunity to design and develop a new on-the-water facility in the center of town will strengthen GHHSA’s ties to the community and enhance its mission. By actively engaging our community in the design and development of Seaport Landing, GHHSA will ensure this facility is a heritage resource that our community will utilize and embrace for years to come.

Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority
712 Hagara St., PO Box 2019, Aberdeen, WA, 98520
1-800-200-5239 ghhsa_admin@historicalseaport.org