After the City purchased and restored Skansie Netshed for public access, a “Request for Proposals” was circulated in search of a non-profit to manage it. In 2015, the Skansie Netshed Foundation was formed and our volunteers have been stewards of the Netshed ever since.
Skansie Netshed Foundation Mission Statement
“An educational organization dedicated to the preservation of Skansie Netshed and the advancement of fishing family heritage as it exists in the people, places, vessels, skills, and stories of Gig Harbor’s commercial fishing industry.”
SNF is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization established to preserve and protect the Skansie Netshed and its contents. The Foundation secured a 20-year lease with the City of Gig Harbor to ensure seasonal public access for our community. Members of the Foundation meet monthly to maintain the artifacts, develop displays and educational programming, maintain summer hours, and host holiday events. (The Shed’s original uninsulated shiplap siding creates a cold and damp environment throughout the winter. Doors are open to the public each summer: June through September.)
SNF members provide individualized “tours” of the Shed. Our “guides” give all guests the freedom and flexibility to explore the Netshed at their own pace. Some prefer a quiet walk through in silence, but many enjoy more meaningful one-on-one interactions. The Shed’s artifacts, interpretive signage, displays, interactive activities, photographs, and mixed media (video) encourage deeper discussions that our guides are eager to share.
In 2023, the Netshed welcomed over 22,000 visitors during its 3-1/2 month summer season.
When guests learn about the Skansie Brothers, they get to know the spirit of Gig Harbor’s Croatian history — one shared by hundreds of other heritage families in our community. They also learn about the success of our contemporary Fishing Fleet that is renowned for its skill and longevity. Visitors leave with a deeper understanding because they are given an opportunity to tap into local knowledge.
Many of our guides are of Croatian descent. They include heritage families, retired or active commercial fishermen and members from the community who are committed to maintaining the Netshed. For more information or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Skansie Netshed, please Contact Us.
Photo courtesty of MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry) in Seattle
In the early 1940s, Gig Harbor's waterfront was dotted with netsheds. The image above was taken during the summer fishing season (because there are no boats tied to the piling).
The Netshed was closed in 2024 for sheer wall reinforcement, a new roof, and a fresh coat of paint. Croatia Day marks the Grand Re-Opening of the Netshed on May 31st, 2025 with the Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble, Bonaca, the Seattle Junior Tamburitzans, and Kisobran. (more…)