About the Nonprofit
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The purposes for which the corporation is formed are: To preserve and to encourage preservation, restoration, and reproduction of historic buildings, structures, archeological sites, objects, places, culture, ecology, and customs relating to the architecture, environment and history of Port Aransas as a means of positively contributing to and enhancing its natural beauty and all that is admirably distinctive to Port Aransas and the surrounding area; to create, operate, fund a museum to house a historical artifacts, documents and display same as a means to educate the public about the unique history of Port Aransas and the surrounding area; along with all other lawful business purposes and that shall qualify as exempt organizations under section 501C Of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
The Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association Inc. serves the Port Aransas community and surrounding areas to include Mustang Island, St. Joseph Island, and the Lydia Ann Lighthouse by way of Historic education and/or Preservation. Our oraginziation is made up of three locations the Port Aransas Historical Museum, Farley Boat Works, and The Preserve at Farley Boat Works. The Port Aransas Historical Museum is an early 1900's Sears kit house that was preserved by the organization and opened as a museum in 2008. The Museum houses local artifacts, exhibits, and archives to include over 40,000 images. The Museum also houses a Fresnel lens that was used at the Lighthouse. Farley Boat Works is a living museum, it is located in the third location of the original Farley Boat Works. The Farley brothers came to Port Aransas in the early 1900's and are responsible for building what we belive to be the first Sportfishing vessels in the nation. The building was purchased and reopened as the Farley Boat Works in 2011. People come from all over to build boats with us. We have a different type of building model. People with no wood working experience are able to build and learn alongside our boat builder and volunteers. When they finish they have a boat that they learned how to build. We have had over 135 boats built since we opened in 2011. Our newest venture is the Preserve at Farley Boat Works. The Preserve is a maritime museum that when completed and open will house two original Farley boats. One built in the 1930's and one built in the 1960's. The new maritime museum will also hows a wide range of maritime artifacts including Dr. David McKees tackle collection. The saltwater lure, rod, and reel collection is arguably the largest and most complete in the area if not the nation.
The Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association serves the youth of Port Aransas, surrounding areas, volunteers, and visitors by way of education of the history of the area, work shops at the Farley Boat Works, 8 Wonders Tours, Chapel in the Dune Tours, and through all of our annual events. Not going to be specific about the events, but I will give some vague information. We hold monthly membership events, Golf Tournament, Gala, Surf Competition, Boat Festival, and a Festival for the Community with a parade. Our volunteers throughout most of the year are made up by our winter visitors. They stay in our area to escape cold weather from other states and spend their times volunteering for us at all locations. This really helps spread are education further throughout the United States and Canada. Our organization is special in that we fundraise as much as possible and rely on large donors, and memberships to keep our facillties open and free of charge to all. We don't feel like anyone should have to pay to learn about this special place that we all love. We also serve all by offering a very unique educational experiences that can be done anywhere. Our Family Boat Build is where anywhere from 3-5 teams compete to build a boat in 2 1/2 days! It is very exciting and can be broken down into one day for corporate team building.
As you can see by our growth we are very busy and we have been successful. We hope you will consider the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association Inc. for a donation.
