News
Annual Summer Gala, Sponsored by Lexus, Raises Record Sum
When over 500 guests filed through the doors of IYRS on July 12 for the Eleventh Annual Summer Gala, sponsored by Lexus, they found a fitting scene for revelry–an industrial building transformed with flickering lanterns, towering panels of black and citron fabric, and a classic Beetle Cat sailboat positioned center stage, complete with Hollywood-star lighting. But gala-goers gathered at IYRS for something deeper than a good time: they came to support "A New Launch" and the convergence of IYRS and the Museum of Yachting. After champagne and hors d'oeuvres, a sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing, the event raised a record-breaking sum of $660,000. Co-chairs Joe Dockery and Carol O'Malley, title sponsor Lexus, platinum sponsors Castello delle Regine, Condé Nast Publications, Prestige Lexus of Ramsey (N.J.), and Sentient Jet Membership, dedicated volunteers, and a host of ardent supporters and additional sponsors together made the evening a grand success. For a press release on this year's gala, click here.
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A Milestone Chapter for IYRS and MoY
The 2007-2008 period has been a milestone chapter for both IYRS and the Museum of Yachting. In addition to "A New Launch" at the Annual Summer Gala and the celebration of the combined future of IYRS and the Museum, there have been other launches as well. The restoration of the Aquidneck mill began, and a new program in Marine Systems was established. Read about a year of exhilarating change in the President's Report, given by IYRS and MoY President Terry Nathan at the Annual Meeting held during gala weekend.
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Winners Crowned at Robert H. Tiedemann Regatta Sponsored by Panerai
Light breeze challenged racers at the Robert H. Tiedemann Regatta sponsored by Panerai, a two-day regatta that celebrated the memory of a man who cut a monumental profile in the world of classic boats. But if the support at this event--in terms of the number of participants, the number of fans who watched on land and on water, and the sponsors and sailors who share Bob Tiedemann's dedication to classic boats--could be rated by the same Beaufort scale that measures wind strength, the ranking would be gale force. At weekend's end, Elizabeth Tiedemann gave tribute to her late husband in front of a crowd of over 200 guests who packed under the tent for Sunday's award dinner. "He made quite a difference in his short time here," she said. Bob Tiedemann's passion for classic watercraft led him to rescue a substantial number of historic vessels, and the example he set was evident in the fleet that participated. The crew of the S-Boat Osprey, owned by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and skippered by America's Cup veteran Dyer Jones, captured overall honors for the Vintage Class yachts and was awarded a Pam 308 Luminor Chronograph Regatta watch from title sponsor Panerai. Michael Dominguez's custom-designed Halcyon captured overall honors for the Modern Classic yachts and was presented with a Panerai wall clock. Class winners who were also awarded with Panerai wall clocks included: Northern Light, the top-scoring vintage 12-Meter, restored by Bob Tiedemann; Stephen and Paul Pepperell's ketch Long White Cloud; and L-24 Belle, skippered by Joe Loughborough. A total of some 40 boats participated in the weekend's festivities. Joining title sponsor Panerai were support sponsors Inskip Porsche and Bentley Providence. Sail Newport managed the racing on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, complemented by a Parade of Boats on Sunday. Click here to visit the Sail Newport website and access complete results.
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Future In-Town Gallery for MOY Under Construction
With the merging of IYRS and MOY, the museum will enjoy an important in-town presence in the Aquidneck Mill Building on the IYRS campus. Restoration on the mill is more than half complete, with occupancy forecasted for January or February 2009. The 1800-square foot space on the ground floor facing Thames Street will be home to a museum gallery and merchandise store, inviting visitors both onto the IYRS campus and over to Ft. Adams State Park to the museum’s main exhibiting facilities. The museum, in co-operation with Oldport Marine, will be operating a launch service between IYRS and MOY this summer. “We intend to have small rotating exhibits, as well as receptions in the space,” according to Terry Nathan, president of IYRS and MOY. “The two organizations will also combine their libraries on the fourth floor of the historic mill, creating a research library for the students, marine trades, and open to the public with posted hours.” The Aquidneck mill was built in 1831 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The 30,000-square foot building will also be used for more IYRS programming and will be home to a dozen commercial marine trades companies, including Sparkman & Stephens, Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, The Confident Captain, and a Newport depot of Jamestown Distributors.
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U.S. Senator Jack Reed Announces Federal Funding for Mill Building
On April 28, IYRS and MOY President Terry Nathan was joined by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Keith Stokes, executive director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, at a press conference held inside the IYRS Aquidneck Mill Building, which will house a satellite location for the museum (see above). Senator Reed announced federal funding of $500,000, secured by Senators Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to support the restoration. Click here for a report on the press conference.
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The William H. Combs Miniature Model Collection at IYRS - a catalogue by Michael Wall
The William H. Combs Miniature Model Collection at IYRS, a superbly produced full color 65 page book, with text and photography by noted ship model expert R. Michael Wall, is a photographic catalogue of a collection of twenty excellently crafted ship models by two of the top marine model artists in this genre, Donald McNarry F.R.S.A. and Lloyd McCaffery. The collection was thoughtfully developed over a period of thirty years by William H. Combs, a West Point graduate, yachtsman, philanthropist, and Pennsylvania businessman with a life long interest in sailing. Click here to read more.
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The Convergence of IYRS and the Museum of Yachting
In May 2007, IYRS and the Museum of Yachting joined forces to coordinate their efforts. "Many great schools are connected to a museum or cultural center. While a school may be focused on educating students and advancing research, a museum can take that knowledge to a wider public," said John Mecray, co-founding trustee of both IYRS and the MoY. Click here to read the press release. An interview with IYRS and MoY President Terry Nathan highlights this new chapter for the two instititutions. Read the interview.