The farm coast has a proud maritime history that goes back longer than most people realize — starting Saturday, a master craftsman will show how the Wampanoags built their craft.

Jonathan James Perry, an Aquinnah Wampanoag, will be in residency at the Little Compton Historical Society for two weeks, leading a team building a Wampanoag mishoon — a traditional dugout canoe. Once complete, it will be launched from Sakonnet Point.

Mishoons were a common means of transport for the Wampanoags, and were made by slowly burning and tooling a large log over many days until the form emerged.

Perry’s residency is part of two historical society projects: “Little Compton Connected,” a transportation exhibit, and the “Sakonnet History Project,” which is planned for next year. Once the mishoon is complete, it will become a focal part in the society’s Wampanoag History Garden, which opens next June.

The public is welcome to watch the mishoon take shape at the society’s 548 West Main Road headquarters. Public hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 and 21, and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 22. In addition, a “night burn” runs from 7 to 10 p.m. on the 21st, just after Wampanoag drumming that starts at 7:30 p.m. and runs about an hour.

On the final burning day of Sept. 22, there will be an autumn equinox celebration, and adults and children are invited to join Wampanoag artists and educators to learn about traditional crafts and culture.

The mishoon launches on Saturday, Sept. 28, though a time has not yet been set.

— By Ted Hayes