The Bay County Historical Society is pleased to resume their monthly “Adventures in History” series on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the Bay County Library. The September adventure follows the 140 year history of the last remaining working gaff rigged Gulf Bay Schooner, Governor Stone, from her construction in Pascagoula Mississippi to her National Historic Landmark designation in 1991 and settling into her designated home port of St. Andrews, Florida in 2013.
The Governor Stone was part of a fleet of Gulf Bay Schooners that were instrumental in settling and serving the small coastal communities along the northern gulf coast in the late 1800s. The lack of passable roads and deep water shipping channels at that time made these shallow draft vessels vital to moving freight, supplies, mail and people from community to community along the coast.
The Friends of the Governor Stone adopted the mission to preserve, maintain and share the history of this National Historic Landmark vessel with the coastal communities along the northern gulf coast.
The Bay County History Museum located at 133 Harrison Avenue showcases artifacts and historical information from the 140-year history of the vessel and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
The Governor Stone is docked at Slip #1 (by the gazebo and boat ramp) at the St. Andrews Marina and is included in the Historical Walking Tours provided by the Panama City Publishing Museum.
The Friends of the Governor Stone will host a 140th Birthday Celebration on Bayview Avenue on Sunday, October 22nd from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. A highlight of the event will be the presentation by the National Park Service of the official National Historic Landmark bronze plaque that will be on permanent display by the Governor Stone slip.
Please come to the Bay County Historical Society program on Monday, September 25th at 7:00 pm and join the Friends of the Governor Stone as we celebrate her 140th Birthday on Sunday, October 22.