Herreshoff Museum and Mystic Seaport Become Partners
Including Conservation & Exhibitions for America's Cup Hall of Fame

Bristol, RI, and Mystic, CT, February 3, 2011

Mystic Seaport and the Herreshoff Marine Museum are entering into a broad collaborative relationship because each museum’s mission, assets, programs and aspirations are complementary with the other.  The agreement provides both Museums with new opportunities to tell the broad story of the American maritime landscape.  Both Museums will continue to operate independently with their existing assets, but will serve as resources to the other as needed and as agreed.

“We are delighted that we will be working closely with the Herreshoff Marine Museum as we actively pursue our mission to inspire an enduring connection to American maritime experience,” said Richard Vietor, Chairman of Mystic Seaport.

Dave Ford, Chairman of the Herreshoff Marine Museum, said, “Our affiliation with Mystic Seaport is an innovative solution to many of the challenges faced by smaller museums in today’s economic climate and will greatly expand the scope of what we can accomplish.”

Under the agreement, Mystic Seaport and Herreshoff Marine Museum will work closely together in a number of important areas that will capitalize on Mystic Seaport’s well established expertise in areas such as collections management, curatorial and custodial support, and exhibitions.  In addition, the Herreshoff Museum has named Mystic Seaport as its exclusive partner in developing exhibitions related to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.

“The synergism created by the affiliation of America's leading maritime museum with the design innovation, yachts, and America's Cup heritage presented by the Herreshoff Marine Museum is highly positive for both museums' futures," added Halsey Herreshoff.

Steve White, President of Mystic Seaport, also commented, “Mystic Seaport’s collections, watercraft and exhibits, complemented by the Herreshoff Marine Museum collections, collectively tell a powerful story about maritime innovation, competitive success and inspiration.  We look forward to working with the Herreshoff Marine Museum to ensure that the stories of Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and its important work are brought to the attention of all who value our maritime heritage.”

Founded in 1929, Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum by virtue of the breadth and diversity of its collections, library, exhibits and educational programs.  Located in Mystic, CT, Mystic Seaport features tall ships, a re-created 19th-century village, numerous exhibits and a planetarium.  Mystic Seaport is the home of the Charles W. Morgan, the only surviving wooden whaling ship in the world, which is undergoing a major restoration in the Museum’s Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard.  For more, visit www.mysticseaport.org.   
 

The Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame are dedicated to the education and inspiration of the public through presentations of the history and innovative work of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and the America's Cup competition.
 

Recent News:
Halsey Herreshoff to Retire as Museum President (Nov 3, 2010)