The Sailing Museum announced it has officially opened its doors to the public. Located on the waterfront of downtown Newport in the historic Armory Building built in 1894, the museum offers an innovative multi-media experience.
An educational and cultural non-profit organization, The Sailing Museum features the National Sailing Hall of Fame and America’s Cup Hall of Fame. In the space once used as the Press Room for the America’s Cup, the heritage of sailing is celebrated, the legends of the sport honored, and new sailors and innovators inspired. In addition to the Halls of Fame, The Sailing Museum features a mix of high- and low-tech interactive exhibits that share the principles of sailing, provide seasoned sailors with opportunities to test their skills and knowledge and connect new sailors with resources to get started on their sailing journey.
A collaborative design effort led by award-winning Healy Kohler Design, The Sailing Museum offers sailing enthusiasts the chance to revel in their sport and new sailors to be enticed to take to the water for the first time. The personalized museum journey begins with the selection of a boat.
For sailors, they can select from one of seven; while those experiencing sailing for the first time will be given the option of a short quiz that will help them select a boat.
For all, this boat becomes their avatar throughout their museum experience, guiding them through the interactive elements, and offering the chance to build skills and earn virtual rewards. The first floor 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 Legends of Sailing – National Sailing Hall of Fame & America’s Cup Hall of Fame. The second floor is home to additional exhibits and a private lounge honoring Hall of Famers.
Through the Summer season, The Sailing Museum will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets are available for $18, with discounts for seniors, students and military, and children 10 and under can enjoy the museum free of charge. In keeping with their goal to increase access to the sport and create an inclusive environment to learn, The Sailing Museum is a member of the Museums for All program, which provides reduced admission to low-income visitors at over 800 museums in the country. Tickets for visitors participating in the SNAP program are priced at $2.
For more information on The Sailing Museum, to buy tickets or to learn more about annual memberships, please visit thesailingmuseum.org.
To view the ribbon cutting ceremony that took place Friday, May 6th, featuring remarks from Rhode Island Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, Newport Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano and other dignitaries, click here.
