About

The Friends of 612-614 S. Wolfe Street, Inc., trade name The Friends of the Ship Caulkers’ Houses, or more casually, the Friends Group, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation tasked by the Preservation Society as owner of the houses, to restore and preserve them.

The Friends Group is also tasked with formulating and implementing a sustainable plan for the Houses’ long-term use and the telling of the ship caulkers’ stories.

Board of Directors
of the Friends Group

Courtney G. Capute, President
Retired real estate attorney, Venable LLP, former Partner-in-Charge, Baltimore office

Barbara K. Weeks, Vice President
Maryland Historical Society; Baltimore Center for Urban Archaeology; Baltimore Heritage Board Member

Sarah Groesbeck, Secretary
MDOT Architectural Historian; Preservation Society Board Member

Errol Tucker, Sr., Assistant Secretary
Managing Partner, Sigma Development LLC

Matthew J. Mosca, Treasurer
Historical Paint Finishes Expert; former City of Baltimore Historical and Architectural Preservation Commissioner

Arnold J. Capute, Jr., Assistant Treasurer
Architect; former Furniture Conservator JW Berry & Sons

Special Thanks

The Friends of the Ship Caulkers’ Houses is indebted to the following supporters who have been with us from the beginning:

Maryland Historical Trust and Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, which jointly awarded a $100,000 grant toward the stabilization of the houses.

First District City Councilman Zeke Cohen who was instrumental in securing a $49,500 Community Catalyst grant for the Project.

Our 46th Legislative District Representatives State Senator Bill Ferguson and House Delegates Brooke Lierman, Luke Clippinger and Robbyn Lewis who championed a $200,000 Legislative Bond Bill that made Phase 2 of the construction possible.

C&H Restoration and Renovation for the care and professionalism with which they have undertaken the Phase I stabilization and rehabilitation of the houses.

Lisa Kraus and Jason Shellenhamer of Herring Run Archaeology Project for the countless volunteer hours they have spent completing the 2019 and 2020 archaeological investigations at the houses and for continuing to share their infectious enthusiasm for Baltimore history and the caulkers’ story.

Living Classrooms Foundation and Julia Muller, Director of Communications, for their spirit of collaboration and commitment to preserving the history and telling the story of Fell’s Point’s Black maritime legacy.

Whiting-Turner Contracting Company for its ongoing support and for so willingly jumping in whenever needed.

The Preservation Society who, as owner of the Ship Caulkers’ Houses, has entrusted us with the preservation of the houses and the telling of the Ship Caulkers’ story, and whose ongoing financial support has been very much appreciated.

And finally, this website would not have been possible without the creative, inspirational and dedicated work of Seaberry Design, A Colorful, Cultured Creative Agency.