The US National Sailing Hall of Fame moves to Newport from Annapolis
by Daria Blackwell 21 Oct 2018 07:58 PDT
National Sailing Hall of Fame © National Sailing Hall of Fame
The National Sailing Hall of Fame has been trying for more than a decade to build a museum at the site of the historic Captain Burtis House at City Dock in Annapolis. It has been leasing offices in the house, which is very small, about 1,400 square feet, and on a small parcel of land, Jobson has said.
Gary Jobson, the executive director of the hall of fame, said the Sailing Hall of Fame would enter into a contract with Newport to purchase the Armory on or before Nov. 8, before the actual closing takes place. He said the Sailing Hall of Fame hopes to welcome visitors at its new location in the Armory building in Newport by May 2020, before the summer tourist season begins.
The Armory was built in 1894 for local militia, according to a history of the property included with past city bid documents. The National Guard and Naval Reserve later used it, but the state conveyed the Armory to the Redevelopment Agency of Newport on Dec. 20, 1983, according to a deed on file with the city's Land Evidence Office. The Redevelopment Agency conveyed the property to the city on April 2, 2010, a second deed on file states.
Jobson said another $1 million would be spent on interactive displays and a small theater for the upcoming sailing museum. He said the Sailing Hall of Fame hopes to welcome visitors at its new location in Newport by May 2020, before the summer tourist season begins.
Let's hope the Sailing Hall of Fame recognizes all sailors, cruisers and racers, who have blazed a trail in sailing.
For more information visit www.nshof.org
This article has been provided by the courtesy of Ocean Cruising Club.