Middletown >> Visitors to the Gibson Museum can get a close-up view of a Pomo tule boat until late July. It is positioned in the garden and may be seen at any time over the next eight weeks.
This example is recent rather than historic, constructed by Big Valley tribal members for their annual heritage races. Racing boats are somewhat more shallow than some traditional tule boats.
The boats are crafted from reeds of tule (the “e” is sounded as a second syllable) rushes that grow along the shores of Clear Lake and other waterways.
Tule rushes themselves are falling prey to the onslaught of civilization, crowded out by piers and pollution.
Tule reeds are approximately 8 feet tall when cut. They are tied together in bundles, which are then bound together to form the boat. Traditionally, the bindings were tule reeds; for the boat on display at Gibson Museum plastic rope has been used.
Usually, one boatsman — sometimes two — kneels atop the craft and uses a paddle to propel it across the water.
Historically, most northern California natives used tule craft. Today, the Big Valley tribe may be the only group doing so. They make the boats only for the Tule Boat Festival, which the tribe started a dozen years ago for the specific purpose of maintaining the art of making the boats and using them.
The Heritage Festival typically takes place in July. For information, contact the Big Valley Rancheria: (707) 263-3924 or send email to bvrittech@big-valley.net.
Gibson Museum is located on the corner of Highway 29 and Callayomi Street in Middletown. The gallery is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m.
Call (707) 809-8009 or write gibsonmuseum@gmail.com for further information.
