The International Sports Heritage Association recently awarded a special project grant in the amount of $2,000 to The Sailing Museum (TSM) and National Sailing Hall of Fame, an institutional member of the organization. The grant was made available from the ISHA Founder’s Fund.

The Sailing Museum opened in May of 2022 and is an educational non-profit organization that is home to the National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) and serves as Newport, Rhode Island’s newest cultural attraction. The museum celebrates the heritage of sailing, the legends of the sport and new sailors alike as well as inspiring sailing innovators. Interactive educational exhibits bring STEAM concepts alive through sailing.

The museum sought grant funding to purchase a necessary piece of equipment to increase awareness for this brand-new museum and home of the NSHOF.

TSM is housed in a historic 1894 stone Armory building constructed for the Rhode Island militia. The museum undertook a three-year restoration of the historic building and is proud to be its next caretaker. However, while the Armory building is a familiar sight to those who live in Newport, its imposing stone facade belies its newest purpose that lies beyond the imposing oak doors. To that end and to continue introducing the museum to the landscape of busy downtown Thames Street, staff soon began looking in earnest for a sailboat to stage in front of the building. One of TSM’s partners, the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, RI, offered the donation of a millimeter yacht (based on the iconic 12-meter design of the America’s Cup era).

One of the goals of the museum is to promote sports heritage by introducing visitors of all ages, non-sailors, and sailors alike, to the achievements, innovations, and rich stories the legends of sailing represent. While the hall of fame is established, the museum is still in its infancy and it is vital to continue to build the brand and establish the museum as an important part of the Newport community, one that is steeped in sailing history.  This is a simple but meaningful way to achieve that. Now when visitors travel up and down this busy thoroughfare, the colorful sailboat in the front courtyard signals that they’ve reached The Sailing Museum, home to the National Sailing Hall of Fame, the place to explore the titans of the sport and the legacy they have left.

Because this exhibit is outside, it must be wheeled back inside the museum each evening, both for the safety of the object and the public. Wheels were put on the cradle, allowing employees of all ages and abilities to accomplish this task. However, after only four months of use, the hardboard masonite cradle (that had been in continuous use outside in its previous location) disintegrated, rendering it useless. For that reason, a new dolly system must be secured. The museum plans to purchase two marine dollies from West Marine for this purpose.

As a new institution, they recognize that the first two years is an opportunity to build their brand. While they have followed traditional avenues in advertising on local media channels, they view the boat in the courtyard as a key piece of our site-based marketing plan. It instantly connects sailing to the place for the casual passerby. It reinforces the idea for visitors that they are in a sailing capital, a place where waterways and the sport of sailing are an integral part of its heritage. It encourages exploration beyond the massive wooden doors.

The Sailing Museum has already experienced many visitors commenting on how much they like the exhibit in the courtyard and hope with its updated features it will only serve to help boost and increase visitation for the next high summer season in Newport as they continue to celebrate the heritage of the sport and honor those who have shaped it over time.

The fund-raising activities for ISHA’s Founder’s Fund are being planned for this year’s conference to be held September 27 and 28 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Revenue to support this fund will be raised through a silent auction, a reverse raffle and through the sale of a sports museum themed t-shirt made available to attendees as well as ISHA members.

The ISHA Founders Fund was established by a select group of individuals who cared deeply for the legacy of sport on the world stage to support long-term initiatives in sports heritage. The Founders Fund now supports annual grant initiatives to assist conference attendance and to aid in the implementation of special projects by ISHA member organizations. To meet the long-term obligations of this Fund, a Founders Fund Committee works to raise money through these efforts for the continuation of the grants program. All revenue raised through these avenues directly impacts ISHA’s ability to support worthy projects that promote sports heritage and fund other initiatives important to all our member institutions and the entire sports heritage industry.

The committee is soliciting items for the silent auction from our members. Please consider a donation of an item to help in these efforts. Items that typically do well and are popular with bidders are autographed sports memorabilia; experiences or packages including tickets to sports events, induction ceremonies, museum visits, and vacation packages; logo merchandise; gift cards and much more. It is not too early to be thinking of your donation and getting together your packages to donate.

For more information about the auction, to discuss your idea for an item and to coordinate the delivery and shipment of the item, please contact the chairman of the Founder’s Fund, Kent Sturman at [email protected].

More details concerning the reverse raffle will be available soon and sent to members. In addition, the T-shirts will be made available for purchase with conference registration, at the conference or on the ISHA website. Watch for more details.

ISHA appreciates the support of the Founder’s Fund from our members and others that share the mission of sports heritage preservation and promotion.

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is proud to offer two incredible opportunities to celebrate Indigenous History Month and further your understanding of Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being.

Join Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and Calgary Public Library on June 21 for the second annual celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, presented by Black Diamond Group and Secure Energy. Featuring a Panel Discussion on Truth and Reconciliation in Sport, this event aims to bring awareness to, and celebrate the importance of, Indigenous Athletes and Builders of sport and their immense contribution to building what is now Canada. The Panel Discussion will be held at the Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall (Calgary Public Library) from 12:00PM – 2:00PM (MT). Those attending in-person will have the opportunity to enter a giveaway for an Indigenous gift basket. To learn more about the remarkable panel members and register to attend, visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/a9326055/ubxbho1teU_U_04_TVkU2A?u=https://www.nipdcalgary.ca/paneldiscussion.

Additionally, we are thrilled to announce the Indigenous Sport Heroes Education Experience will have a fresh new look on June 21, including exciting new content, user experience, and a newly launched Education Hub. Designed like chapters in a book, this changemaker resource shares the truths, experiences, and stories of Indigenous Hall of Famers and Tom Longboat Award Winners. To learn more about these remarkable individuals and read their stories, visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/454b1035/Jlt5UDPkU0_GOY8f8GZpbg?u=https://indigenousheroes.ca/

The Sailing Museum in Newport, RI, which houses the National Sailing Hall of Fame, just celebrated its first anniversary on May 10th. On May 23rd, the museum received news from the 44th Telly Awards that they had won two awards for non-broadcast content in charitable and museum & gallery categories. The nearly 9-minute film, which welcomes guests as they enter the museum, may be viewed here – https://link.edgepilot.com/s/6765ec9d/2a0-iwuyGkaVnkfywG-efQ?u=https://bit.ly/TSMMagic.

Named Preferred Signage Vendor of the Daytona International Speedway

WEST HAVEN, May 18, 2023 —  Pinpoint recently achieved a huge win at Daytona International Speedway, having been named as its Preferred Signage Partner through 2025.  The partnership includes printing, production, and installation of official track signage, as well as event signage and brand activations for corporate sponsors such as Rolex, BMW, Crowdstrike, and Porsche.

An historic motorsports tri-oval measuring 2.5 miles, the racing venue has an immense number of branding opportunities around the track, grandstands, and infield.  As the home of the world-famous Daytona 500, Rolex 24 Hours, and Bike Week, the speedway is a media juggernaut for world-class brands.  Quincy Morris, Strategic Account Director at Pinpoint, said this about the win, “The beautifully designed one-of-a-kind facility presents an abundance of opportunities for brands to engage with motorsports fans. We look forward to thoughtfully integrating partner and track branding into the venue, so it is visually exciting, precisely produced and installed, and well-received by all visiting the Home of the Daytona 500.”

See a brief video

About Pinpoint

Founded in 2008, Pinpoint creates unforgettable experiences that connect people with brands. From national brand activations such as Arsenal F.C.’s away uniform unveiling to custom-fabricated buildouts for the NFL – Pinpoint is a full-service project resource and production company capable of customizing any space or product to captivate and inspire the target audience.

Pinpoint are experts in brand strategy and experiences, creative services, fabricated buildouts, environment transformations, large-scale signage, custom displays, installations, promotional products, imprinted apparel, print collateral, and direct marketing.

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum will be undergoing their first major renovation since opening in July of 1996.  The 3.5 Million dollar project will open the lobby, redesign the gift shop and update the outside of the building.  The renderings attached are courtesy of project architects Weir-Boerner-Allin.

Rand Jerris, Ph.D., continues to serve as one of the foremost historians, curators, authors and leaders in golf history after more than 30 years of service to the USGA.

Through his visionary dedication to collections development, Jerris stewarded the USGA Golf Museum and Library to become the world’s most important resource on the history of the game. Among his many contributions, Jerris ensured institutional commitment to the Museum’s future, created the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History and produced groundbreaking scholarship.

His impact as a leader, mentor, curator, author and historian continue to inspire all those who interact with him and his work.

View a brief video about his contributions.