The National Canoe Association of America (NCAA) has grand plans to build a new American Canoe Museum, right here in Houston!

Richard "BD" Leigh, president of the NCAA, says they have chosen Houston to be the home of the new canoe museum due to it's large population, robust tourism business, economical real estate costs, and a climate that allows year-round canoeing.  

The $10 million project will be funded by grants from the National Cultural Preservation Council, corporate sponsors and private donations, with matching funds from the city of Houston already approved by City Council.  About half of the funds will go towards construction of the building, and the other half to acquisition of artifacts for display in the museum. Once open, operations and tourism will contribute between $5 million and $10 million to Houston's economy annually, depending on attendance. Houston's Mayor, Sylvester Turner, said; "I heartily welcome this attraction. It will be a boost for the city's economy and tourism industry, add to the revitalization of the Buffalo Bayou waterfront, and will be a center of learning and a quality cultural attraction reflecting the City's spirit".

The NCAA is currently conducting a real estate search for a suitable waterfront location upon which to construct the museum, concentrating on Buffalo Bayou.

The museum will be a unique national heritage center that explores the enduring significance of canoes to the people of America.  It will do this through an exceptional collection of canoes, kayaks and related accessories, to honor the watercraft traditions of America. The museum’s artifacts will include dugouts, birch bark canoes and buffalo hide bull boats of the Native Americans, as well as skin-on-frame kayaks of the American Eskimos, wood and canvas-covered craft, and also modern aluminum, fiberglass and plastic watercraft, from casual recreational to racing boats.

Click the photo below to see a larger image of an architectural artist's rendition of the proposed building:

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