Retired Ferry Captain Revives Tudor Home, Historic Boat in Washington

Dave Minshall, a retired Washington State ferry captain, discovered and is restoring a rare 1930s brick Tudor Revival home near Joemma Beach State Park, overcoming its severe disrepair and gaining community support. This restoration highlights a broader appreciation for preserving historical and cultural landmarks, similar to the efforts to maintain the Rebecca T. Ruark, the oldest sailing skipjack from 1886, designated a National Historic Landmark and a symbol of Chesapeake Bay maritime heritage. Skipjacks were vital to the oyster industry, designed for shallow waters and operated by small crews, embodying the region's nautical culture and history. Meanwhile, Indigenous voices like Joseph Lee of the Aquinnah Wampanoag nation emphasize the intersection of Indigenous identity and climate change, especially regarding land and rising sea levels impacting communities like Martha’s Vineyard. These stories collectively underscore themes of preservation, cultural identity, and environmental challenges facing historic sites and Indigenous lands. In infrastructure news, Bradenton Beach and Manatee County are undertaking ongoing hurricane-related repairs and road improvement projects, with significant construction planned through 2026.