Are there any Wooden ship model build club in the Chicago area?

[jimscars]

Hi all. I'm in the Joliet, Illinois area. I am wondering if there are any ship building groups in the Chicago area or just builders who get together now and then to kick around about ship building. Thanks. Jim

 

[dockattner]

Hello Jim,

There are a few clubs, but it seems they don't actually meet in person (or at least not often enough to matter). To that end four of us gathered together for lunch (the first meeting was last month) at a restaurant way up north in Antioch. It's a long drive but you would be very welcome to join us. We meet next this coming Friday (07/21) at noon. If you are interested send me a PM and I'll provide some additional details.

Blessings.

 

[Hotspur]

You might want to look into Military Miniature Society of Illinois -MMSI - Mimsy as they call themselves.

While their focus is on historical miniature figures, these are a super group of guys, and I bet some have built a ship or three.

 

[polydoc]

Hi all. I'm in the Joliet, Illinois area. I am wondering if there are any ship building groups in the Chicago area or just builders who get together now and then to kick around about ship building. Thanks. Jim

Try these:

• • Midwest Model Shipwrights: Formed in 1982 and based nearby in Mount Prospect, IL, this group focuses on static model ship building and maritime history. They welcome all skill levels—from novices to museum-quality builders—and hold regular meetings to share techniques and display works. You can learn more via the Midwest Model Shipwrights site. [1, 2]
  • Nautical Research and Ship Model Society: Located in Westmont, IL, this regional club connects general enthusiasts and builders interested in maritime research and precision model construction. [1, 2]

 

[dcicero]

Hi all. I'm in the Joliet, Illinois area. I am wondering if there are any ship building groups in the Chicago area or just builders who get together now and then to kick around about ship building. Thanks. Jim

Hi, Jim!

Yes, there are ship model clubs in Chicago! And you're welcome to join our next meeting of the Nautical Research and Model Ship Society of Chicago, which will be on Saturday, August 8 at 7:00 PM. The ZOOM meeting will be open at 6:15 PM for those who arrive early and wish to chat a bit (and there are always people who want to chat a bit).

We used to meet in person, but we've been doing virtual meetings since the COVID days. It was always great to be able to get together in person, but there are benefits to virtual meetings. Our membership has expanded and some of our members do not live in the Chicagoland area, so it's great to be able to have them attend. And, from a presenter's view, the virtual meetings are easier to handle.

I just talked to the President of the club, Kurt Van Dahm, yesterday. We're not 100% sure what the program will be on Saturday because several of us will be attending the IPMS Nationals in Fort Wayne, IN. We'll be heading home on Saturday, so we'll have to play that by ear.

Hope to see you, though and, if you send me your email address, I'll make sure you get an invitation.


Dan

 

[jimscars]

Hi Dan. Thanks for the information. That's very nice. My email address is jfmfifty1@gmail.com

 

[jimscars]

Thank you hotspur and Polydoc for the information. I will definitely look into them. Jim

 

[Kellner]

Hi Jim, I belong to an IPMS group called Lake region scale models, but we have four guys that are into wooden ships. Our normal meeting time is the fourth Friday of the month at 7:30 in Carpentersville Illinois. If you’re interested, I can get you further information. Mike

 

[Ignatius27]

.

 

[jimscars]

Hi Kellner. That could be nice. Yes please on the information.

 

[Kellner]

The meetings are usually on the fourth Friday of the month at Carpentersville Public Works. That’s this Friday.

 

[Skipper1952]

There use to be a club in Schaumburg, Il. that I was a member of, Fleet4 Commanders. Are they still around?