Port Aransas will be home to a new maritime museum next year, which will be located adjacent to the Farley Boat Works workshop at 716 W. Avenue C. The new Farley Boat Works Museum will replace the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association’s previous museum, which was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Groundbreaking is expected early in 2021. The building should be open to the public by the end of next year, organizers said.

Chosen architect David L. Walker of Corpus Christi also designed the Port Aransas Art Center building. The L-shaped facility will include a main air-conditioned space for rotating exhibits, a gift shop, an office, and restrooms.

It also will be available to rent for weddings, reunions, and meetings. The historical association plans to hold its winter lecture series, parties, and fundraisers there as well.

One wing of the L, which will be not be air-conditioned, will house two of the Farley Boat Works’ historic boats. The public will be able to watch restoration of the boats from an elevated platform.

The building design resembles the first facility of the U.S. Lifesaving Service, the forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard, which was was established in 1878 in Port Aransas.

FEMA is paying for Phase I of the project with Hurricane Harvey restoration funds. The first phase completes the outside shell of the building. The historical association will need to raise money to complete the project.

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