The Herreshoff Marine Museum becomes first international recipient of the Singoalla Award
by Herreshoff Marine Museum 22 Apr 2023 17:24 BST
The Singoalla half model by Allan Savolainen, Red Sky Yachts © Kim Weckstrom
The 10th edition of the Helsinki Classic Yacht Symposium has given the Herreshoff Marine Museum/America's Cup Hall of Fame the first, newly instigated Singoalla Award.
The award is given annually to an individual or institution who has made a major contribution to the mission of the Helsinki Symposium. The Symposium wants to strengthen the bonds between classic yacht sailors and to create a deeper understanding of the history, the present, and the future opportunities of classic yachting.
According to the Helsinki Symposium organizers, the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol R.I. plays a pivotal role in preserving the heritage of the life and work of Nathanael and John Herreshoff. Thereby, the museum has become an established landmark institution for preserving a key part of the world heritage of Classic Yachting.
"The Helsinki Symposium expresses its admiration and gratitude for the work for more than half a century to preserve, educate, celebrate and inspire sailors around the world to enjoy and keep the legacy of the Herreshoff name and classic yachting as a whole," says John Lammerts van Bueren, co-chair of the Symposium.
The Helsinki Symposium recognizes that the legacy of The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company is the most significant of North America in the 19th and 20th centuries. The original buildings hold a major collection with over 60 boats, countless tools, plans, photos and artifacts. The model collection includes 500 original design models. The Museum has an inclusive attitude to youth and research and supports the preservation of classic yachts. The Museum also organizes lectures and sailing events.
"We're thrilled and honored to be selected as a recipient of the Singoalla Award," said Herreshoff Marine Museum President & Executive Director Bill Lynn. "We offer our heartfelt thanks to the organizers of the Helsinki Classic Yacht Symposium for including the Herreshoff, and we congratulate them on a successful event."
The Museum also the hosts the America's Cup Hall of Fame. Initiated and founded in 1992 by Halsey Herreshoff, a four-time America's Cup defender and grandson of legendary yacht designer Nathanael Herreshoff. Candidates eligible for consideration include members of the crew, designers, builders, syndicate leaders, supporters, chroniclers, and other individuals of merit. Each nominee is judged on the basis of outstanding ability, international recognition, character, performance, and contributions to the sport.
The Herreshoff Marine Museum's earlier Classic Yacht Symposiums provided the inspiration for the organization of the first Helsinki Classic Yacht Symposium in 2010.