WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR

Preserving the story:- we have been archiving historical artifacts, photos, artwork, and recording people's oral histories.


Awareness building:- At least 4 front page articles plus news coverage in papers like SF Chronicle Marin I.J, the Marinscope and Channel 2 News.

Educating:- We have created a 45 minute documentary plus a historical slideshow An exhibit telling the 9 lives of the Charles Van Damme has been shown at Studio 333, Maritime Day, the Bay Model and The Marin County Fair.

Building community: The ferry inspired the creation of 2 Sausalito 4th July parade floats - both winning first place.
Joe Tate wrote a song about the ferry especially for this.
People made artwork especially for the exhibit.
We found the families of the ferry boat owners and Juanita joined in our events when she was alive.

Promoting the waterfront. Local boat builders and boat building schools will collaborate and contribute materials, labor and skills in the restoration of the artifacts.

Renewing pride in the Marin County Waterfront.
We have submitted proposals to the county for the preservation of the artifacts and gathered funds and many names of supporters for this cause with an ongoing petition.

We are in discussion to place a state recognized marker at Waldo Point harbor denoting the site of historical and cultural importance.

Let's celebrate the Ferry's 100th year by returning the restored artifacts back to the park!


With the donation of your time, money, expertise and support we will succeed in saving, restoring and displaying a rare and important local maritime and cultural icon to inspire both present and future generations to come.

*** LATEST NEWS***

THANK YOU MARIN COUNTY for awarding us a COMMUNITY GRANT

The $3,000 awarded will be used to partially offset the cost of preparing the construction documents
needed to build the interpretive display in the New State Park at Waldo Point Harbor.

DONATIONS are coming in! - Thank you to the Floating Homes Association for their recent generous donation 
- we have a thank you page to thank everyone who has supported us so far.

IT'S OFFICIAL! WE HAVE THE COUNTY , WALDO POINT HARBOR & BCDC's APPROVAL TO GO AHEAD!

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We have all discretionary approvals now in place. It's full steam ahead for preparing the construction documents.
The County of Marin have approved the planning and designs submitted for the Charles Van Damme artifacts to be restored and exhibited in the new Waldo Point Park. Lew Cook the owner at Waldo Point Harbor agreed  to an amendment to Waldo Point’s redevelopment to include this public exhibit. The Charles Van Damme ferry 100 yr old paddle wheel and steam stack will return to it’s original resting place but in a new restored form. We just received approvals from the BCDC so we are good to proceed!

The plans were drawn and submitted by Michael Rex Architects. The Charles Van Damme ferry celebrated its Centennial last year. After 10 years of gathering information, gaining awareness and saving the artifacts from demolition, an official blessing all parties to go ahead with the restoration is a perfect 100yrs birthday gift.  Check out the IJ newspaper article.