I have a bit of experience building and restoring cedar/canvas canoes. I have acquired an old birchbark canoe, which I would like to restore. I will certainly have dozens of questions, but for now let me describe what I have and pose just a few questions. The boat has been in a damp boathouse for years. Unfortunately it was not overturned. Most parts are in okay condition except for the rails. Also one end has been sheered off, but I have the piece. The planking is Algonkin, Ogibway style - short sections of very thin cedar overlapping like shingles. (see fig 29 page 34 of Adney / Chapelle) They are loose but not broken (even at sheered off end), and they may all be present. The ribs are loose but all present and in good shape. The thwarts have all come free of gunwales, but are in excellent shape. Again, the gunwales need replacing. The boat has spread since the thwarts came loose. I have put in temporary braces, but I have not brought the boat to its original width. The bark looks like it's in good shape, though there are a number of eyes (no cracks) and one bulge at a gore. I will need to sew the end back on, and do some sewing at the gores, and a lot of work at the ends around the stem (which, by the way are both in good shape), and obviously at the gunwales. I am afraid the bark might be brittle. Can I wet it down? I would welcome anyones thoughts on my project. Thanks -Jeremy Harrison

We have never worked on bark canoes in our shop.My suggestion would be to contact The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough,Ontario Canada.They have a web site with some contact info on it.
Hope this sets some wheels in motion for you.
Regards
Bill Wilson
Paugan Falls Canoe
Low,Quebec
paufacan@magma.ca

Hi Jeremy, you might try contacting Aaron York - he builds traditional birch bark canoes, really beautiful-a work of art. his e-mail is, aaronyorkcanoes@videotron.ca tell him I sent you.lee...