National Sailing Hall of Fame facts for kids
The Sailing Museum and National Sailing Hall of Fame is a special place that teaches people about sailing. It's a nonprofit organization, which means it's not trying to make money. Instead, it wants to celebrate people who have done amazing things in sailing and show how sailing is important to American culture. It also helps kids learn math and science through hands-on activities! The organization started in 2005.
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The Sailing Museum: A Journey Through Time
The Sailing Museum and National Sailing Hall of Fame first opened its doors in a historic building called the Captain Burtis House. This house was located right on the City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland. Visitors could enjoy fun activities on the water and discover lots of interesting facts about sailing history, art, and old stories.
In 2019, the National Sailing Hall of Fame announced exciting news: it was moving! The new home would be in Newport, Rhode Island.
Later that year, the Hall of Fame bought the Armory Building in Newport. This is a very old building with a cool connection to the famous America's Cup race. The museum worked with the Herreshoff Museum and the America's Cup Hall of Fame to make the Armory Building into a fantastic space. It now has exhibits, places for events, and meeting rooms.
The new museum officially opened on May 10, 2022. It offers many educational programs and special events for everyone to enjoy. You can learn more at www.thesailingmuseum.org.
Who Runs the Museum?
The museum is led by a team of dedicated people. Gary Jobson and Tom Whidden are the Co-Chairs of the Board. Ashley Householder is the Executive Director, which means she helps manage everything at The Sailing Museum and National Sailing Hall of Fame.
Honoring Sailing Heroes
The National Sailing Hall of Fame honors people who have made big contributions to the sport of sailing. These special people are called "inductees." The Hall of Fame started honoring people in 2011. As of January 2024, 123 amazing sailors and sailing supporters have been chosen for this honor.
Anyone can suggest someone for the Hall of Fame by submitting a nomination online. A special committee then reviews all the suggestions. The new inductees are usually announced in the summer. Then, a ceremony is held in the fall in different places across the United States to celebrate them. For example, the 2020 induction ceremony was held online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
First Group of Honorees (Class of 2011)
The very first group of people honored in 2011 included many famous names in sailing. Some of them were:
- Betsy Alison
- Hobie Alter
- Dennis Conner
- Nathanael Herreshoff
- Ted Turner
Lifetime Achievement Awards
The museum also gives out a special Lifetime Achievement Award. This award celebrates people who have dedicated their entire lives to sailing and made a lasting impact.
- 2019: Arthur Knapp, Jr.
- 2020: Briggs Cunningham, Jr.
- 2021: Bill Pinkney
- 2022: Roy E. Disney, Terry Kohler, and Frances McElwain Wakeman
- 2023: Tim Hogan
Working Together
The Sailing Museum works with other groups to promote sailing.
- US Sailing
Museum Friends
The museum also has partnerships with other organizations.
- U.S. Naval Academy
- Gowrie Group
