The Wonderful World of the New Sailing Museum
Great Lakes Scuttlebutt sets a course for Newport's new sailing home
Published: Sunday, May 29, 2022 12:00 pm
By: Mark Reid
The conversion of an old armory building filled with memories and mildew into a state-of-the-art Sailing Museum was more than conversion therapy, it was an all-out rebuild that took every ounce of effort from everyone involved including and especially Executive Director Heather Ruhsam.
What began as a dream just a few years ago has finally become reality on May 6th with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and the grand opening on May 11th.
The National Sailing Hall of Fame and the new Sailing Museum opens its doors to sailors and non-sailors alike, young and old, technical aficionados and of course those who just want to take it all in with a healthy dose of Sailing history in all shapes and sizes, plus an amazing America's Cup HoF exhibit and video montage that presents stories of yachting and American history.
The historic Armory Building was built in 1894 and the site of the Press Headquarters for the America's Cup from 1958 to 1983 is the perfect venue for such an endeavor. The National Sailing Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony their last fall which served as a “dry run” for the building. Immediately thereafter the exhibits began to be brought inside and the time-consuming process of creating a museum within the vast space began.
Just imagine being about to stand at the helm of a 12-Meter yacht and steer it on open ocean course. At the museum you can almost feel the sea spray on your face as the waves wash over the deck! If you want to experience the thrill of a foiling catamaran or learn about the history of many of the great yachtsmen and women in ages past, it’s all there. In many instances, let your fingers do the walking as you journey back in time or imagine what sailing will look like in the future as well.
The museum’s mission is stated as follows: “There is a magic that happens when wind and water meet. A magic sailors know and share with others.” It continues; “As sailors we believe that sailing teaches critical life skills like teamwork, leadership, self-reliance, and responsibility. We believe what you see on the water will change the way you see life on land. We believe everyone should have access to that experience and the Sailing Museum will bring incredible people and inspiring stories from across sailing into one place that is accessible to all.” It is important to restate the following because it is important to understand the new museum’s function and purpose.
“The National Sailing Hall of Fame is the DNA of The Sailing Museum,” states Ruhsam. “Through the lens of the Hall of Famers we celebrate the heritage of the sport and honor the accomplishments and contributions that have shaped sailing as we know it today. And holding true to the early vision of the organization's founders, the museum experience inspires new sailors and innovators, supporting and growing the sport.”
“We have long envisioned an America where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can participate in sailing,” continues Ruhsam. “All of this in a place that is welcoming and inclusive and steeped in sailing history. Through the museum we have this incredible opportunity to introduce people to sailing and provide them the resources to begin, or deepen, their own sailing journey.”
On May the 6th it all came together for a ribbon cutting ceremony as Rhode Island Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, RI Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor, Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, Museum President Gus Carlson, sailing legend Gary Jobson and Executive Director Heather Ruhsam were on hand to dedicate the opening on what has been a tireless process, delayed by Covid to open the doors.
Jobson was Ted Turner’s tactician aboard Courageous in 1977 when they defended the America’s Cup. He was a longtime commentator for ESPN’s coverage of the event. He is one of the key ambassadors of the sport as well as a leader for multiple sailing foundations and was one of the key players in getting this project off the ground when funds for the museum originally slated for Annapolis, Maryland could not be secured.
In 2004, a group of dedicated sailors founded the National Sailing Hall of Fame there with the mission to preserve the heritage of the sport and honor the individuals who shaped sailing as we know it today. 15 years later in 2019 with the purchase of the historic Armory Building in Newport the project came to fruition as they partnered with the Herreshoff Marine Museum and the America's Cup Hall of Fame to bring both organizations under one roof.
The exhibit hall of the museum is divided into six thematic areas: Wind & Water, the Making of a Sailor: Mental, the Making of a Sailor: Physical, Teamwork, Competition and the Legends of Sailing: National Sailing Hall of Fame & America’s Cup Hall of Fame.
The adventure begins with the selection of a boat, like a 12-Meter yacht. From there they can select from one of seven on the screen and begin experiencing sailing like never before! Of course, a quiz follows. This is not only an experience crafted for fun, but it is educational as well.
We caught up with Ruhsam, who has worked tirelessly for what for her probably seems like decades.
“The ribbon cutting with our local and state leaders, supporters and community was incredible!” said Ruhsam. “Plus, the first day open to ticketed visitors was great, too. After two and a half years of working behind closed doors on the renovation and restoration of the property and creation of the museum, there was a lot of excitement as we welcomed the public in.”
“People have commented extensively about the restoration of the property. We really are so fortunate to be in this space that has so much meaning to our community's history, and to sailors who recall the years of America's Cup press conferences that were held here.”
The highlight of the opening weeks was “hands down seeing our supporters and visitors in the museum and watching their reactions,” exclaimed Ruhsam. “Witnessing generations come through together and everyone walking away with a smile - having learned something and having enjoyed themselves. The Sailing Museum is truly an experience - there is so much to do, so much to see and interact with. The response has been so rewarding.”
“Our highest priority is welcoming our community and visitors from near and far through the doors,” said Ruhsam. “To share with them that magic of wind and water and our love for sailing. Over the summer we'll be collaborating with local organizations for their camp offerings and developing our formal and informal kids’ programs to pilot in the Fall. We are already open to events and have quite a few on the calendar - everything from wedding parties to rendezvous and boat reunions. We are a great destination for events from 10 to 300 people and encourage people to consider us when coming to Newport.”
Also, worth mentioning is the work of Jerry Kirby construction and contracting firm. Kirby’s effort has been meticulous. He sailed on multiple America’s Cup campaigns and his son Rome sails for Team USA in SailGP.
Newport, RI, is one of America's oldest cities. It has more colonial era homes than and other city in the country.
The city needed a downtown attraction like this, even with Ft Adam's and other historic attractions as well as regular visits by the Ocean Race (ex-Volvo) next spring and the possibility of playing host to the America’s Cup once again if American Magic prevails in 2024.
The Naval War College which opened in 1884 is located there and during Vietnam more than 60,000 sailors moved through Quonset Naval base.
Newport is the home of the "gilded era" when dozens of mansions were built as summer "cottages" for the New York City elite. Cornelius Vanderbilt's "Breakers" tops the list of magnificence and is truly spectacular to take in and behold!
Newport played host to the America’s Cup from 1930 until 1983 when the Australia 2 team won the hallowed Auld Mug with a revolutionary winged keeled and took the trophy, plus the evnt downunder to Perth, Western Australia.
Since then, Newport has regained its footing as a major tourist destination with a wide array of different restaurants, bars, and gift shops.
The Clarke Cooke House and Candy Store is a veritable nautical museum in its own right and one of the best restaurants in town. Next door is the Black Pearl which boast the best Rhode Island chowder to be found anywhere, in addition to the Aquidneck Lobster Company where you used to be able to grab a "chicken" from the sea everyday but now it's just the restaurant. Which is fine!
Last, but not least the Inn at Castle Hill and its amazing lawn which stretches down to the ocean rocks below, provides a lovely destination to watch vessels of all shapes and sizes head out to sea. On Sundays they have a wonderful jazz brunch and an amazing bloody Mary!!
The new Sailing Museum will fit in nicely as Newport is very walking and pedestrian friendly. It gives the downtown area a world class destination for all ages to take in and learn about one of the oldest recreational, commercial, and sporting endeavors.
Also, just a short drive away is the America's Cup Hall of Fame and the Herreshoff Museum in historic Bristol, RI.
If you make that trek you have to travel over towards Fall River to Tiverton, Massachusetts at the entrance of Mt Hope Bay is home to one of the best seafood shacks in New England at Evelyn's Drive in!
For me the poetry of my passion for sailing and the America’s Cup extends back to my first trip to Newport many years ago. It was nearly winter’s end and with spring’s early airs not quite in reach we crossed over to the island on an eerily dark evening. The wind that night provided a mournful, howling as it ripped through the metallic tapestry of the bridge framework that surrounded us, the sounds of the fury churned like the climatic roar of a majestic symphonic crescendo.
With the restless, frothy waters of the Atlantic Ocean below and the lights illuminating the darkness of the night from above; you could almost imagine the specter of ghostly yachts gliding wistfully across those wisps of wind towards a solemn solitary adventure at sea. Later that evening while feasting on the chateaubriand at Christie’s Harbor Restaurant, I was struck by all the pictures on the wall about the America’s Cup races that had taken place in years past on Rhode Island Sound.
Images of Sir Thomas Lipton, Nathanial Herreshoff “The Wizard of Bristol”, Harold Vanderbilt; America’s Cup yachts past and present graced the mahogany paneled walls as a testament of their magnificence. With the air of excitement and the anticipation of a summer full of sailing splendor the seeds were being sown, for a passion that has held sway over me henceforth.
So, make the pilgrimage, trek, journey; whatever to Newport and experience sailing and history like never before at the National Sailing Hall of Fame and the new Sailing Museum.
Image 1: In no particular order Rhode Island Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, RI Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor, Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, Museum President Gus Carlson, sailing legend Gary Jobson and Executive Director Heather Ruhsam cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the new Sailing Museum. Photo by Cate Brown/The Sailing Museum
Image 2: Last fall the Armory played host to the National Sailing Hall of Fame ceremony which served as a dry run for the new museum. Photo by Daniel Forster/National Sailing Hall of Fame
Image 3: Sailing history at your fingertips. Photo by Cate Brown/The Sailing Museum
tags: Beyond the Great Lakes, Boat Museum, Destination, Grand Opening, History, Travel
