PORT TOWNSEND–The schooner Adventuress has maintained its first-place position in a contest for historic preservation dollars, but its supporters are taking nothing for granted.
“This is nerve-racking,” said Sound Experience Executive Director Catherine Collins, who is running the campaign. “We really like being in first place.”
Schooner has edge
As of Thursday afternoon, the Adventuress had 16 percent of the vote, one point ahead of its nearest competitor, the Seattle Town Hall.
There was a time this week when the boat had a 17 percent share, but that was shortlived.
The contest, sponsored by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, allows supporters of any of the 25 sites to vote once a day in support of their project.
Percentage numbers are listed on the site, but actual vote totals are not available.
Collins said she checks the site hourly, which she admits “might be a little obsessive.”
Like the Adventuress, the place of the second Port Townsend property in the competition has also stayed consistent.
The Customs House, which seeks to use the grant money for its accessibility retrofit, has maintained 15th place with 3 percent of the vote.
Port Townsend Marketing Director Christina Pivarnik said the city is mobilizing its support through two specific groups: Disabled rights groups and post office employees.
This weekend, the Adventuress will visit Tacoma, hoping to mobilize supporters to get out the vote.
Customs House hosts visitors
At the same time, the Customs House will hold an open house from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, allowing visitors into parts of the building that are not open to the public.
This includes a decommissioned courtroom and the original customs office, from the time the building was constructed in 1893.
Guests can look through the building at their own pace or take one of the tours offered by maintenance custodian Lee Hjermstad, which are scheduled to begin at the top of each hour.
Collins said all contestants have sponsored weekend activities, since this is the second to last weekend prior to the May 12 voting deadline.
The Adventuress also is using technology to get out the vote, sending out daily reminders to 400 supporters telling them to vote again.
“This has been a lot of fun to be in the lead,” Collins said. “We are the underdog, so it’s cool that we are doing so well.
“It’s a little bit like David and Goliath, where we are the little guy.”
For more information about the contest or to cast a vote, go to http://tinyurl.com/y3r9uzn.
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Jefferson County reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
