National Sailing Hall of Fame facts for kids
The Sailing Museum and National Sailing Hall of Fame is a special organization that teaches people about sailing and boat racing. It celebrates amazing people who have made sailing great. It also shows how sailing has helped shape American culture. Plus, it teaches kids about math and science in a fun, hands-on way! This organization started in 2005.
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The Sailing Museum
The Sailing Museum and National Sailing Hall of Fame first opened in a place called the Captain Burtis House. This house was in Annapolis, Maryland, right by the city dock. Visitors could enjoy activities on the water. They could also learn about sailing history, art, and cool stories.
On May 1, 2019, it was announced that the Hall of Fame would move. It moved from Annapolis to Newport, Rhode Island.
In 2019, the National Sailing Hall of Fame bought the Armory Building in Newport. This is an old, important building. It has connections to the famous America's Cup boat race. The museum worked with the Herreshoff Museum and the America's Cup Hall of Fame. Together, they made the building into a full space for exhibits, events, and meetings.
The new museum opened on May 10, 2022. It offers many educational programs and special events. You can find more information at www.thesailingmuseum.org.
Who Runs the Museum?
Gary Jobson and Tom Whidden are the Co-Chairs of the Board. Ashley Householder is the Executive Director. She helps lead the Sailing Museum and National Sailing Hall of Fame every day.
Honoring Sailing Heroes
The National Sailing Hall of Fame started honoring people in 2011. These people are called "inductees." They are chosen because they have done amazing things in sailing. By January 2024, 123 people had been chosen for the Hall of Fame. They were part of 13 different groups, or "classes."
Anyone can suggest someone for the Hall of Fame online. A special committee then looks at all the suggestions. The new inductees are usually announced in the summer. The ceremony to welcome them into the Hall of Fame happens in the fall. These ceremonies take place in different cities across the United States. In 2020, the ceremony was held online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Class of 2011
This was the very first group of people honored!
- 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
Many other talented sailors and contributors have been inducted into the Hall of Fame in the years since 2011.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
The museum also gives out special Lifetime Achievement Awards. These awards honor people who have made a huge impact on sailing throughout their lives.
- 2019: Arthur Knapp, Jr.
- 2020: Briggs Cunningham, Jr.
Museum Connections
The Sailing Museum works with other important groups.
- US Sailing
Partnerships
The museum also partners with other organizations.
- U.S. Naval Academy
- Gowrie Group
