Historic Ships and Boats

 Kurt Voss' career in maritime preservation began in 1980 with the 1877 barque ELISSA, first as a volunteer foreman during the ship's restoration and then as director of the Texas Seaport Museum from 1994 to 2007. Peter Stanford, president emeritus of the National Maritime Historical Society, wrote of the ELISSA: "Indeed, the restoration of this graceful barque of 1877 is reckoned by many to be the finest restoration of an active sailing ship extant."

In 2007, Kurt Voss formed Historic Ships and Boats, to share with other historic vessels and maritime museums the expertise he gained during his tenure with the ELISSA and Texas Seaport Museum. In the interim, he has participated in projects that range from the 1877 schooner GOVERNOR STONE (a National Historic Landmark) to the 450-foot operational World War II Victory Ship AMERICAN VICTORY, to serving as logistics manager for Mystic Seaport's unprecedented 38th Voyage of the 1841 whaleship, the CHARLES W. MORGAN and the sea trials and vouage home of the historic replica sailing ship MAYFLOWER II.

Courtesy of Texas Seaport Museum / Galveston Historical Foundation