Any info appreciated

[Patricia Reid]

Hi there,

Looking to learn any info you may have about this 18' Old Town Canoe serial number 61798. Attached are some photos and the serial number. That 9 may be a different digit but it's the best I can make out.

Thanks in advance,
Patricia

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome, the Old Town canoe with serial number 61798 is an 18 foot long, GS (Guide Special or utility) grade, IF (Indian Fishing) model with red western cedar planking, open spruce gunwales, oak decks, oak thwarts, oak seats, and a keel. It was built between June, 1920 and May, 1921. The original exterior paint color was slate. It shipped on May 11th, 1921 to Burlington, Vermont. A scan of this build record can be found below.

This scan and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/ot_records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will donate, join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See https://www.woodencanoe.org/about to learn more about the WCHA and https://www.woodencanoe.org/shop to donate or join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match the canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson

 

[Dan Miller]

I'm curious - the photos appear to show other boats, some graphics, and lighting, which imply you are putting together a museum exhibit or something similar. Can you share what you are doing?

Dan

 

[Patricia Reid]

Thank you very much, Benson. That information matches what I would expect since we are based in Vermont, so I think we do have the right serial number.

Dan, I work for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes, VT. This boat is in one of our displays but we have limited information on where it came from. This forum has been especially helpful in finding clues!

 

[Dennis]

Patricia - I see that this canoe went to Edgar Chiott. You may know this already but Chiott's was a marine supply business on King St. in Burlington. I'm not sure how long they've been out of business. I am a member of the museum, grew up in Vergennes, have a home just North of Mile Point, but spend most of the year in Washington state. Currently restoring a 1923 16' OT originally from N.H.

Dennis

 

[Patricia Reid]

That's great, Dennis! Yes, we're familiar with the Chiott's business and this forum has been very helpful in pointing us in the right direction about this canoe.

So glad to hear you're a supporter of the Museum. I'd love to extend an invitation to you and everyone else on this forum to come visit us when we reopen in late May. We're making some updates to the Hazelett Small Watercraft Center, where there are plenty of wooden canoes to enjoy.

Thanks so much!
Patricia