May is national history month and May 6 and 7 saw many groups put on a variety of exhibitions, activities and performances at the Chittenden Locks. Most of the displays will be open for public viewing in the Administration Building during the month, and will even be open on the weekends just for the month of May. Displays have been contributed by the Rainier Valley Historical Society, Fremont Historical Society, History Link, Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society, American Society of Civil Engineers and the Friends of the Ballard Locks.
 |
| Bridge building activity |
 |
| Building a straw bridge |
Many of these groups also had volunteers available to answer questions from the public. These displays will be on site for the entire month but the volunteers and historians will only be on hand again May 20 and 21. Feel free to ask questions or contribute any stories you might have of the particular subject. This is all done as part of the Centennial events for the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Chittenden Locks. Also on hand on May 7 was a concrete canoe built by student engineers at the UW, and a toy boat building area for the youngsters, organized by The Center for Wooden Boats.
 |
| Positioning the concrete canoe |
This is always a fun activity for families, and especially the kids. Sunday's events featured a fun run for kids and adults alike and was very well attended. If you missed this past weekend, be sure to stop by during the rest May and take in the displays.
 |
| Runners and friends |
 |
| We'll assume she was in the fun run. |
 |
| One corner of displays in the Admin Bldg. |
The US Army Corps of Engineers also used the Sunday to honor and present a plaque of appreciation to Clayton Naset for his contribution of a 6 foot replica of the Roosevelt, the first ocean going vessel to use the locks (officially), and the ship sent by the president to lead a maritime parade of several hundred vessels on July 4 1917, the formal dedication and opening of the ship canal and locks.
 |
| Colonel John Buck with Clayton Naset, Roosevelt modeler |
Last, but not least, the Corps also presented a Mayoral Proclamation to Friends of the Ballard Locks President for her many years of work to collect, catalog, organize and preserve and present historical artifacts involving the Chittenden Locks. Well deserved!
 |
| Col Buck presenting Corps Commander's Coin to Susan Connole |
 |
| Nate McGowan, Operations Project Manager at the Locks, reading Mayoral Proclamation |
