National Sailing Hall of Fame facts for kids

The National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) is a nonprofit educational organization that promotes sailing and racing by recognizing individuals who have contributed to the sport, highlighting sailing's contribution to the American culture; and demonstrating its value as a hands-on tool for teaching math and science. The organization was established in 2005.

NSHOF was originally housed in the Captain Burtis House, located on the City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland. Visitors to the site could participate in on-the-water experiences and learn about sailing history, art and lore.

On 1 May 2019, it was announced that the NSHOF would move from Annapolis to Newport, Rhode Island. That same year, the NSHOF purchased the Armory Building in Newport, an historic building with connections to the America's Cup race. The space is being developed into exhibit space, in collaboration with the Herreshoff Museum and the America's Cup Hall of Fame. The new museum is scheduled to open in 2022.

Gus Carlson became president of the board of directors in 2019, succeeding Gary Jobson. Effective 15 April 2019, Heather Ruhsam became the organization's executive director.

The National Sailing Hall of Fame began inducting honorees in 2011. As of June 2020, 88 individuals have been elected to the Hall of Fame.

Affiliations

• US Sailing

Partnerships

• U.S. Naval Academy
• Gowrie Group

Inductions

Nominations to NSHOF are made online. A nominating committee evaluates all the submitted nominations. Inductees are typically announced in the summer, and the induction ceremony is held in the fall at different locations around the United States. Inductions began in 2011. The 2020 induction ceremony will be held virtually in September 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Class of 2011

Note: Inaugural Year

• Buddy Melges
• Hobie Alter
• Betsy Alison
• Harold Vanderbilt
• Paul Cayard
• Dennis Conner
• Nathanael Herreshoff
• Ted Hood
• Gary Jobson
• Bus Mosbacher, Jr.
• Lowell North
• Joshua Slocum
• Olin Stephens
• Ted Turner
• Charlie Barr

Class of 2012

• Peter Barrett
• Bob Bavier, Jr.
• F. Gregg Bemis
• Stan Honey
• Bruce Kirby
• John Kostecki
• Mark Reynolds
• Roderick Stephens Jr.
• John Cox Stevens

Class of 2013

• John Alden
• Tom Blackaller, Jr.
• Bill Buchan
• William Starling Burgess
• Frank Butler
• Runnie Colie, Jr.
• Dave Curtis
• Timmy Larr
• Morris Rosenfeld
• Stuart H Walker

Class of 2014

• Harry Anderson, Jr.
• Nathaniel Bowditch
• Carl Eichenlaub, Jr.
• Olaf Harken
• Peter Harken
• Lewis Francis Herreshoff
• Jim Kilroy
• George O'Day

Class of 2015

• Steve Colgate
• JJ Fetter
• Paul Foerster
• Jan Gougeon
• Meade Gougeon
• Sam Merrick

Class of 2016

• Ed Baird
• Malin Burnham
• Bill Ficker
• Harriet Electa "Exy" Johnson
• Irving Johnson
• Bob Johnstone III
• Rod Johnstone
• Tom Perkins
• Dave Ullman

Class of 2017

• Bill Bentsen
• Ray Hunt
• Bill Martin
• Clarkie Mills
• Robby Naish
• Corny Shields
• Randy Smyth
• Tom Whidden II

Class of 2018

• John Scott Biddle
• Vincent D'avila Melo "Vince" Brun
• George Stravos Coumantaros
• William Ingraham "Bill" Koch
• James Martinus "Ding" Schoonmaker
• William Henry Webb

Class of 2019

• Captain John Bonds
• Thomas F. Day
• Robbie Doyle
• Buddy Friedrichs
• Allison Jolly
• Donald McKay
• Everett A. Pearson
• Doug Peterson
• Herbert Lawrence Stone

Class of 2020

• James E. Buttersworth
• Gordon Douglass
• Robbie Haines Jr.
• Bill Mattison
• Dave Perry
• John Rousmaniere
• Diane and Hoyle Schweitzer

Lifetime Achievement Award recipients

2019: Arthur Knapp, Jr.

2020: Briggs Cunningham, Jr.

Honorary Advisory Board