Peggy of New Point

Winner! the original pilot house :)

The new waist being constructed. Eric and Dave put final touches on the guard before installing the waist.

It's out. The Mathews Maritime's annual calendar, and this year will feature none other than... Peggy! Beautiful images, old and new, with captions. Also, an extra insert tells the story of this historic deck boat, her renovation, and what the future holds. Get your copy at the Museum Gift Shop, online, and the Mathews Visitor Center.

Peggy of New Point is launched with completed guard.

Peggy returns after being on the rail for close to 2 weeks for painting. After materials are cut, she will be re-hauled for a finish coat and installation of guardrails.

Original story by George Pongonis. Edited for the 2012 Gwynn’s Island Festival Program. Can you remember life before microwave ovens? As we live day-to-day, new technologies emerge which replace what we have grown to admire. Do you ever wonder about living in an earlier time? How different day-to-day life must have been for those who never knew the benefits of our modern conveniences. Just think about travel in the time prior to the introduction of engine-powered vehicles. No planes, trains or automobiles, and only sailboats for voyages over water. Those were different times in Mathews County. Back at what we used to call the “turn of the century,” Mathews was known as a prominent center for boat building. Boats were important around the Chesapeake before highways took over the “shipping” business. (Where do you think our common term for transportation came from?) Not just small boats either. Sea-going ships were built here in Mathews. Indeed, many sons of Mathews went to sea as w...

Decking got started on a Monday with the 1st plank layed down. Decking is placed around all deck openings. Deck boards get painted before installation. Volunteers are such an important part of this activity, and teamwork has been key to progress.

Milder weather returns making conditions favorable for repair work to resume. 2,000 board feet of select cypress lumber was delivered to the Gwynn's Island Boat Shop in preparation for planking Peggy's newly framed deck structure. Some of this lumber will also be used in the construction of her new pilothouse. Peggy's original pilothouse will be moved to the MMF museum and located as an outside display.