OUR COLLECTION

The Museum hosts a vast collection of photographs and objects that span Lake Tahoe's maritime history. Our memorabilia reaches back into the late nineteenth century, with displays of the opulent steamers that once ferried passengers, mail, and freight around the Lake.

The Tahoe Maritime Museum's boat collection rivals many maritime museums in the nation. Currently there are over 25 vessels which are historically significant not only to Lake Tahoe but to the maritime community in general. Many of the boats are lake-worthy and see service on Lake Tahoe's crystal blue waters during the summer.

Also on exhibit are the days of gentlemen's racing which began on the Lake as soon as there were boats with internal combustion engines and ended in the 1960s due to increased legal restrictions. Other exhibits feature such boat manufacturers as Chris-Craft, Gar Wood, and Stephens.

In addition to the history of maritime craft in service at Lake Tahoe, the Museum is also home to the largest collection of outboard motors on the West Coast. On display are models from the late teens as well as an outboard motor made by the Indian Silver Arrow Company. An Evinrude C Service racer, which provided a low-cost entry level boat for "every man", is another interesting display.

Aquaplanes and water skis are also on exhibit, showing the progress from the earliest models made of barn doors and rope to ones that evolved into more familiar sizes and shapes, such as a 1960 Maharajah.

Fishing is another sport and pastime with historical roots at Lake Tahoe. Our fishing display features a wooden Dunphy boat and antique fishing poles and photographs that reach into the early twentieth century.

Collection Highlights

SHANGHAI, an 1890s launch discovered beneath the Lake by an ROV and research team, was the first to become a part of the Museum's collection. She was donated by Edna and Sarah Obexer.

The Museum's ride boat, MISS TAHOE, is locally born and bred, having been purchased by local marina proprietor Jake Obexer in 1939. She is a 28-foot, triple cockpit runabout that offers rides to Museum members in July and August.

Also of local importance is LEMME GO FIRST, a 1929 Gar Wood runabout once owned by Henry J. Kaiser, Sr. She is an excellent example of the raised-deck "Baby Gar" Model 28-40 manufactured by Gar Wood in the 1920s.

REDSKIN is a rare 1912 Canadian-built displacement boat of about 20 feet. She was a well-known racer in the mid-teens due to her Wisconsin T-Head block engine which is thought to be the oldest operating Wisconsin engine in existence.

Another important vessel in the collection is the 1915 Canadian-built petite sailing craft, VENT D'ETE, owned by the Dollar family until 1976. She has a mere 14-foot hull and varnished mahogany decks which enhance her beauty and appeal.