Looking for model shipwright's!

I've done research at the National Archives on 2 battleships from the Great White Fleet. Although the first ones I make will be for my personal viewing and collection my hope is to make them as museum quality pieces one day. This will be my first forray into this in depth of scratch building and I'd like to be able to talk with people who have used the "bread and butter" method of hull building which is what the Navy Museum in Washington requires. I have loads of research and want to get started on my first ship within the year. Any help with this hull construction type and the help from a mentor(?) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.