In the early 1900’s, the wooden boat played a much more central role in daily life on Georgian Bay. Today, boats have a mostly recreational place in our culture, whereas back then it was even a major local employer. The names Grew, Gidley, Norse and Midland Boat Works, all historical boat building companies, come to mind . Public docks were lined with wooden boats with many purposes, commercial as well as recreational. Through the restoration process , Georgian Bay Heritage League is able to bring some of these boats back to their former glory in order to remind people of their rich heritage