South Street Seaport Museum to Host 'Opening Day at Pier 16,' 4/25

On April 25, Council Member Margaret Chin and other local officials will join the South Street Seaport Museum to kick off a new season of programming on the institution's historic vessels. Opening Day at Pier 16 will also include the official announcement of Captain Jonathan Boulware's appointment as Executive Director of the Museum. Opening Day at Pier 16 will include a range of free and family-friendly activities and tours. Details on the program are listed below.

Seaport Museum appoints Executive Director: Captain Jonathan Boulware

Captain Boulware has been with the Seaport Museum since November 2011, previously serving as Waterfront Director and then Interim President. His leadership over the past three years has advanced significant vessel repair projects and reactivations, including the lightship Ambrose and the schooner Lettie G. Howard. Working with the Museum's Board of Trustees, the staff team, more than 400 Museum volunteers, and partner educational and cultural organizations, Captain Boulware leads the strategic planning, program development, fundraising, and operations of the Museum.Prior to joining the Seaport Museum, Boulware served as captain of numerous educational "tall ships," sailing with students on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Boulware was the recipient of the 2012 Hero of the Harbor award from the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance in recognition of his leadership in preservation of the Museum's fleet of ships during Hurricane Sandy. His appointment as Executive Director signals his long-term commitment to SSSM as it formulates a sustainable path, and provides stability for the Museum's vision, programming, fundraising, and staffing.

"The Seaport is quite literally the birthplace of this city we love," said Captain Boulware. "The Seaport is first and foremost an educational institution. Our collections, historic buildings, and fleet of ships all support this core mission. Whether out on the harbor on a "floating classroom" program, or touring the historic district, visitors touch, see, and interact with historic New York in ways they can only do here in the Seaport. We have been working hard to rebuild and expand this core programming and will continue this development over the next year. It's not an easy task, especially post-Sandy, but it's an important one, and well worth the efforts of our small but dedicated staff and our active and vibrant corps of volunteers. It's an exciting time for the Museum and, despite the challenges, it's clear that the city, the neighborhood and the people of New York are behind our efforts."

"The board and staff of the Seaport Museum have been working hard to create a stable and creative future," said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl. "I applaud Jonathan Boulware for his commitment to this unique institution and look forward to working with him to expand the Museum's public programming and chart a course for the organization."

Join the Seaport Museum for arts & crafts, a Seaport scavenger hunt, historic ships, tours, and live music! At Pier 16, hands-on educational programs will include learning about sailors' navigation, observing some of the creatures that make New York Harbor a living estuary habitat, and conducting a buoyancy test of your own boat made out of clay. Also, watch the "uprigging" on the schooner Lettie G. Howard in preparation for the spring season. The public will be able to observe and ask questions about the process of rigging a traditionally rigged fishing schooner built in 1893. At the 12 Fulton St. Visitors Center, children of all ages - and adults! ­ are invited to paint a mural of images related to Opening Day at the Seaport on the new Seaport Storywall. Opening Day will also feature live musical performances on our stage at Pier 16 including The Lobbyists, performers in the upcoming concert/play Seawife, presented by Naked Angels in partnership with South Street Seaport Museum (coming to Melville Gallery on Water Street in June 2015).

The Seaport Museum is happy to offer a special deal for opening day: Sign up as a new member on Opening Day for $1! Offer is valid for new members only. Memberships will be valid for 6 months and are for the Individual Level only. Stop by the information booth on Pier 16 or see a staff member to sign up.

In case of rain on April 25th, Opening Day will be re-scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2015.