The documentary Makers on the Tide, which tells the story of the Willits brothers and their renowned canoe craftsmanship, will be screened at the Harbor History Museum on May 2, 2026, at 5pm.
In the early 20th century, brothers Earl and Floyd Willits founded the Willits Brothers Canoe Company on Day Island, Washington, where they became renowned for crafting over 900 meticulously designed wooden canoes. After moving from the Midwest to Tacoma, they grew their small waterfront shop into an internationally recognized maker of high-quality vessels. Over the span of 55 years, they personally built and signed about 920 canoes - primarily their signature 17-foot cedar-strip Artondale model.
Event fee: $10. Museum members are free. RSVP required.
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