Hall of Fame organizations join forces

The National Sailing Hall of Fame and Herreshoff Marine Museum & America’s Cup Hall of Fame have revealed a partnership to open an America’s Cup Hall of Fame location in Newport, Rhode Island.

Plans for this long term alliance include joint development of the Hall of Fame exhibits in Newport that will be continually enhanced through the collaboration of the National Sailing Hall of Fame and the Herreshoff Marine Museum & America’s Cup Hall of Fame located in Bristol, Rhode Island.

In early 2019, the National Sailing Hall of Fame purchased the historic Armory Building on Thames Street in Newport, which was the location for many America’s Cup-related activities during the Cup’s 12 Metre era (1958-1983).

“The partnership between the National Sailing Hall of Fame and the America’s Cup Hall of Fame creates an opportunity to introduce visitors to some of sailing’s most interesting personalities,” said National Sailing Hall of Fame Executive Director Heather Ruhsam. “Through their stories we will celebrate and support the sport, designing an experience that invites visitors to explore the world of wind and water.”

The accomplishments of inductees to these halls of fame illustrate the breadth of talents and contributions that have shaped the sport over time. From skippers to writers, boat designers to sail makers, coaches to syndicate heads, these are the many faces of sailing’s legends.

A broad range of compelling and interactive exhibits are currently being developed with the goal of creating a space where sailing comes alive for both sailors and non-sailors alike.

“Combining the resources of these two organizations makes perfect sense, and Newport is the ideal place to bring this collaboration to life,” said Herreshoff Marine Museum President Bill Lynn. “We’re excited about the opportunity to introduce the America’s Cup Hall of Fame experience and its inductees to a new and bigger audience in this historic building in the sailing capital of the United States.”

In addition to the collaborative exhibits in Newport, the Herreshoff Museum is significantly investing in new exhibit development on its Bristol campus. The experience will focus on the Herreshoff Era of the America’s Cup (1893-1934) and other stories that illustrate the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company’s legacy of excellence in design, engineering and manufacturing combined with a relentless drive for innovation.

The opening date for the combined exhibits in Newport will be announced this summer.

For more information:
National Sailing Hall of Fame – www.nshof.org
Herreshoff Marine Museum & America’s Cup Hall of Fame – www.herreshoff.org