The mission of our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Maine’s First Ship, is to use our reconstruction of the 1607 pinnace Virginia to immerse the public in an exploration of the region’s early history, craftsmanship, and relationships, and their impact on our community and environment today.

We are stewards of the recently built and launched 17th-century-style wooden pinnace Virginia as well as the 19th-century railroad building known as the Bath Freight Shed. Using these historic cultural resources, along with a talented pool of nearly 100 active Volunteers, we Explore History, Celebrate Ingenuity, and Foster Community in Maine’s Midcoast.