The Museum of Yachting and Sail Newport are partnering to create a new type of public sailing facility in Newport, RI – one that marries maritime history, heritage and on-water activity. Both organizations will share space under a single roof, in the building that has been home to the museum at Fort Adams State Park.
The museum will continue to educate the public about maritime history and tradition by hosting exhibitions and events; Sail Newport will continue to create affordable sailing opportunities for the public and draw world-class regattas to Newport. But both organizations will share facilities and draw from each other’s strengths to create a new kind of center for the community where young school children, students, competitive sailors, residents and visitors can all learn and participate.
“There has been a sea change in how museums today need to operate and stay relevant – a move toward offering more participatory opportunities, as opposed to only traditional exhibits and static displays,” said Terry Nathan, President of the museum and the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS). “Partnering with Sail Newport is a perfect way to tell the story of yachting and give people of all ages a chance to experience that very activity.” The long-range plan is to develop the type of programming that can attract the funding to transform the museum building from seasonal to year-round use.
“Any time two organizations can collaborate on the use of an asset it’s a benefit to the communities they serve,” said Sail Newport Executive Director Brad Read. “I cannot think of any other place on the Eastern Seaboard that has the facilities that we will have here, and the potential to create what we can create together.”
For more information about Sail Newport, visit sailnewport.org. For more on the Museum of Yachting and IYRS, visit moy.org and iyrs.org.
