THE ARQUES SCHOOL AT THE SPAULDING CENTER
In 2007, the Spaulding Wooden Boat Center became the new home of the Arques School of Traditional Boatbuilding. An agreement was reached for the relocation of the Arques School from its location within the Arques Trust property in the Marinship District of Sausalito to the historic Spaulding Boatworks site.
The Arques School opened in June of 1996. It was founded by Bob Darr, who is currently the program director and head instructor. With a core apprenticeship program of just six students, it is a small school dedicated to developing craftsmen skilled in the art of building boats in the traditional plank on frame methods. The school owes its existence to an endowment provided by the late Donlon Arques, who laid the groundwork for the school prior to his death in 1993.
The Spaulding Wooden Boat Center was founded in 2002 as a living and working museum within the historic Spaulding Boat Works building. Gladys Spaulding, widow of the late Myron Spaulding—yacht designer, boat builder, marine surveyor, sailor, and symphony violinist—left the historic Spaulding Boat Works property in charitable trust with a three-part mission: (1) to preserve and enhance the working boatyard; (2) to restore and return to active use significant, historic wooden sailing vessels; and (3) to create a place where people can gather to use, enjoy, and learn about wooden boats, and educate others about wooden boat building skills, traditions and values.
The Arques School is one of the most respected wooden boat building schools on the west coast, and with the school's arrival, and the ongoing involvement of the Master Mariners Foundation, the Spaulding Wooden Boat Center will become the center of Bay Area wooden boat activity. Wooden boat building is a vital part of Sausalito's history, and we want the Spaulding Center together with the Arques School to support and enhance efforts to revitalize and preserve the historic Sausalito waterfront.
The Arques School Web site is at Arques School of Traditional Boatbuilding.
