Yacht Club Stories Initiative: Strong Start

November 17, 2014 – The National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) and Gowrie Group have partnered together to collect and preserve the stories of America’s yacht clubs and sailing organizations for future generations to enjoy. The Yacht Club Story Project, which kicked off in the summer of 2014, is off to a strong start. Nearly 50 yacht clubs are already profiled on the NSHOF’s “Sailors and Stories” webpage. Most clubs have updated Yacht Club histories and many feature fantastic old photos.

Riverton Yacht Club of New Jersey provides us with a great example story and piece of yacht club history. Did you know that according to maritime tradition, a yacht club is considered a vessel, and not a part of the land? This is important when one addresses the protocol attached to how and where to locate flags on the yacht club flagpole. For a fascinating and brief explanation about maritime flag etiquette, and to make sure you are adhering to protocol, read the article written by Roger Prichard here.

This project, with the support of Gowrie Group, strives to gather architectural histories, personal stories, accounts of memorable club moments, and other yarns or tributes, large or small, that together chronicle the legacy of America’s yacht clubs. These clubs and people have helped shape sailing as we know it today; the stories will serve as a permanent history on the NSHOF website.

Project Webpages:
Yacht Club Story Project
Sailors and Stories

Thank you to all the clubs and people who have already submitted their stories, information, and pictures for the collection.

If your yacht club has a story to tell please contact the NSHOF’s yacht club story coordinator at yachtclubstories@nshof.org. All formats of information are helpful, including written, webpage, audio, photo essay and/or videos.

Your club or sailing organization is invited to become a Founding Member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. Participation will enable us to move the project forward at our site adjacent to Annapolis City Dock. Click here to see a list of Founding Members & Contributors to date.

For more information contact Lee Tawney by email or call 877.295.3022.