Photography by Steve Buchanan
In the late-1990s, Bob Ingersoll learned that the Sultana Education Foundation (SEF) was building a replica of the 1768 schooner Sultana, a merchant vessel commissioned in the British Royal Navy. He was definitely interested and wanted to play a role in recreating a piece of history. A professional builder and boating enthusiast, Ingersoll was excited about the project and viewed it as an opportunity to combine two of his passions while also giving back to the community.
A native of Chestertown, Ingersoll enlisted in the Navy in 1967 and was stationed in Brunswick, Maine, where he spent 50 months on active duty. In 1988, he and his wife decided to spend their winters in Florida. During that time, the couple enjoyed sailing to exotic locations around the world to indulge their adventurous spirit. The fact that Ingersoll no longer lived full-time in Maryland wasn’t going to prevent him from participating in SEF’s Sultana project. In 1998, he became a volunteer for the organization. When he was visiting Chestertown, he would stop by to help construct the schooner—a true testament to his enthusiasm for the project and his spirit of volunteerism.
“Working with a team to build Sultana was a lot of fun,” Ingersoll says. “I was also building my own catamaran in Florida at the time. So it was a great experience for me because I had the opportunity to work on two different marine constructions at the same time.”
Located in Chestertown, SEF is a nonprofit organization with the mission of “[providing] transformative educational experiences in which students investigate the natural and human history of the Chesapeake Bay while exploring solutions for a more sustainable ecosystem.” Established in 1997, SEF offers a variety of opportunities for children, adults, and families to interact with the environment through its numerous programs. (It’s important to note that due to the COVID-19 crisis, staff members have reinvented the curricula and created new program offerings that incorporate a combination of virtual and socially distanced formats.)
Sultana was officially launched in 2001 and serves as a “school ship,” an educational tool that offers hands-on learning programs for students. Ingersoll relocated to Chestertown in 2008 and has continued to volunteer for SEF and provide his expertise on other projects.
He served as the volunteer owner’s representative for the construction of the Holt Education Center, which is SEF’s headquarters and also one of the organization’s major teaching facilities. In this role, Ingersoll, who has been building homes for more than 50 years, consulted with the architect, builder, and owner to oversee the entire process and ensure that the project was completed properly. His extensive knowledge of the construction industry enabled him to provide input ranging from design and bidding guidance to onsite management.
All of these elements play a vital role in the decision-making process that guides the construction of a facility. Indeed, Ingersoll was an invaluable asset to the project, and his ability to analyze cost versus efficiency reduced the total cost of the project significantly. The Holt Education Center, which was completed in 2016, is certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum by the U.S. Green Building Council, the organization’s highest certification for environmental sustainability.
“I really enjoy serving as the owner’s representative and helping create something bigger than myself,” Ingersoll says. “Each building is a brain teaser, and I love challenges. Construction projects are huge investments, so it’s important to analyze every detail. The most important part of what I do is deciding what should or shouldn’t be done. Making the right decisions saves money in the long term. I’m happy to offer my knowledge to help SEF construct facilities that support their mission.”
Currently, Ingersoll serves as the owner’s representative for the development of SEF’s newest facility, the Lawrence Wetlands Preserve, an 8.5-acre urban nature center. He oversees the installation of utilities and basically every aspect of he project, including habitat management/improvements and site planning.
“Bob is generous with his time and talent,” says President of SEF Drew McMullen. “When he says he’s going to get something done, we can cross it off our list. There’s no question that he will find a way to make it happen. Bob handles complex, highly skilled work, but he’s also more than comfortable [helping out] with mundane work. He will do whatever needs to be done with a smile.”
Ingersoll lives on his family’s farm in Chestertown. Although he is officially retired, he is still a builder. And that will never change.
“My trade is the same,” Ingersoll says. “I’ve just changed the way I do it. I may no longer get paid for what I do, but I’m doing what I love. And I’ll probably keep doing it for the rest of my life.”
For more information about the Sultana Education Foundation, visit sultanaeducation.org.
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