Executive Director City by the Sea Museum Palacios
As so many of you know, City by the Sea Museum is host to La Petite Belle, a half-scale, seaworthy replica of La Salle’s La Belle that was discovered and recovered in 1995 in Matagorda Bay.
In recent years, the poor old gal has fallen into disrepair with a lot of work needing to be done.
The hatches need rebuilding, the main mast needs an overhaul, and she’s in serious need of a paint job.
La Petite Belle, or LPB as we lovingly call her at the museum, was currently taken out of the water for all of the above work - plus more - to be done!
She is now being housed in an old 1920s barn in Palacios.
Over the years, support and volunteers for not only the museum, but for the maintenance of the ship itself have waned.
While there are a few core people who still devote their time and skills to the maintenance and running of this beautiful ship, many have passed or have moved away.
In conversation with Cynthia Armstrong, Director of the Matagorda County Museum, in recent years, our volunteers have declined primarily due to age.
Small museums, especially ones in smaller, rural areas, require volunteers to help fill positions and gaps that other larger institutions are able to fund.
For example, we recently lost our educator at City by the Sea Museum due to funding who was doing some wonderful work with kids from all over the county on coastal ecology and marine biology.
Fortunately, we will be partnering with the Matagorda County Birding and Nature Center, and Diane Frankson will be volunteering her time to continue this coastal ecology effort on a smaller scale.
And if you’ve been to any of our art exhibitions, Zeinab Ghais volunteers her time to assist in curating and hanging each and every one!
Our county is no doubt rich in history, the arts, and culture.
But there is only so much a handful of paid employees can do to keep things going - and keep things fresh.
So, I encourage you to reach out to your local museums and see how you can lend your skills or expertise to them to help keep our history, arts, and culture alive!
And if anyone reading this enjoys working on or geeking out on boats, I know just the place your help is needed!
Call 361-972-1148 or email museumpalacios@gmail.com to get more information on how you can help restore La Petite Belle.