WaterFront Center facts for kids
The WaterFront Center is a special group in Oyster Bay, New York. It's a non-profit organization, which means it's not trying to make money. Instead, its main goal is to help people get out and enjoy the beautiful waters of Oyster Bay Harbor and Long Island Sound. They want everyone to learn about and connect with the ocean!
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How The WaterFront Center Started
Back in the late 1980s, there was a plan to build new buildings where the old Jakobson Shipyard used to be in Oyster Bay. Many people worried this building project would harm Oyster Bay Harbor.
Saving the Shoreline
A group called Friends of the Bay, along with local leaders like State Senators Ralph Marino and Carl Marcellino, worked together. They led a big effort to stop the building plan. The community came together and suggested six different ideas for the area.
One idea, called Plan D, was chosen. This plan was to create a place for the community to learn about the environment and the ocean. This idea was approved in 1998. Then, in the year 2000, The WaterFront Center officially began!
Meet the Christeen: An Amazing Oyster Sloop
The Christeen is a very special sailboat. She is a 38-foot gaff-rigged sloop, which is a type of boat with a specific sail design. What makes her so amazing is that she is the oldest oyster sloop in all of America! She is also a National Historic Landmark.
A Long History at Sea
The Christeen was built way back in 1883 for Captain William Smith. Her first job was to harvest oysters in Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor. For over 125 years, she did many jobs. She collected oysters, carried cargo, and even served as a home for people traveling between Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.
The Christeen was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 4, 1991. She has survived 16 major hurricanes, many big storms, and even sank twice! After all that, she came back home to Oyster Bay in 1992. A dedicated group of volunteers worked hard to fix her up. They worked with a full-time ship builder and raised over $300,000 to restore her.
Restored and Ready to Teach
The Christeen was completely restored and launched again in 1999. Now, her job is to be a "floating classroom" for The WaterFront Center. Her captains are certified by the Coast Guard, and her experienced crew teach up to 24 passengers. They share exciting lessons about maritime history, ocean science, coastal nature, the oyster industry, and even how to farm seafood (called aquaculture).
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