Newport’s Newest Destination
The Sailing Museum has officially opened in the Ocean State
Article by Soundings
It was all clear skies, fair winds and administrative camaraderie for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the old Armory on Thames Street in downtown Newport, Rhode Island, this past May. The Sailing Museum—a nonprofit, educational showplace—was ready for the public. Many of those who donated to make this building a reality were in attendance.
The location was 20 years in the making, an effort spearheaded by sailing legend Gary Jobson. As museum President Gus Carlson said, “This is the culmination of the hard work Gary put in, and here we are about to enter a fantastic museum dedicated to the sport we all love.”
At the ceremony, Jobson didn’t acknowledge the ups and downs and the twists and turns that had to be overcome, but city officials recognized the benefits of having the sailing museum in Newport. “Rhode Island is the Ocean State, and sailing is a sport of enormous social and economic importance to us,” said Lt. Gov. Sabrina Matos.