A Partnership for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater and Hudson River Maritime Museum
A Home Port for the Sloop Clearwater
An Education Center for the Community
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, America’s Environmental Flagship, and Hudson River Maritime Museum, the only museum in New York State dedicated to preserving the maritime history of the Hudson River, have embarked on an exciting new project that will establish a vibrant economic model for the entire Hudson River Valley.
A Maritime Resurgence on the Hudson: Already a maritime heritage destination, the Kingston waterfront attracts tourism to the region by hosting special events such as River Day, Steamboat Days, and festivals. Kingston’s historic Rondout, with its deep water docks, is one of the best boating destinations on the Hudson River. Accessible by car, train, boat and city bus, with a local trolley running out to Kingston Point and water taxi service to the lighthouse, the area is ready for this renaissance. The waterfront center will be a terrific addition to Kingston’s lively historic district, home to museums, restaurants, art galleries, restaurants, antique and gift shops, and important to Kingston’s local economy as a catalyst that attracts business and visitors from New York City, truly supporting the idea of the Hudson as the “River that flows both ways.”
More Than Just a Building: The two Hudson River organizations share many common objectives and goals. The two organizations will work synergistically to deliver the best of what each organization has to offer. In addition, Kingston communities and businesses, and the greater Hudson River will benefit from the joint efforts of these two fine organizations. Echoing the architecture seen along the Rondout creek, particularly the Cornell Building, the two story timber frame structure is designed by architect Allan Shope, Clearwater’s board president. It is our intention that the building will be constructed by local craftsmen and volunteers in a traditional barn raising.
“Clearwater builds strong boats with kids, Hudson River Maritime Museum builds strong kids with boats; together we build a stronger community.”
Allan Shope, Clearwater board president, and Jack Weeks, vice president of the Hudson River Maritime Museum board address the Kingston Planning Board.
Click here to read the article, “Kingston Planning Board OKs winter home port for Clearwater “
Museum, Boat, Home Port: The 4,000-square-foot multi-purpose building would serve as a winter berth and repair shop for the sloop Clearwater and as a center for the community to gather for educational programs, music, special events, workshops and meetings.
The sloop Clearwater will be moored at the docks for the community to visit and enjoy during the cold months and the boat shop will welcome visitors who can witness the waterfront workshop, with the crew using woodworking tools and making repairs the boat.
In the warmer months, Hudson River Maritime Museum will use the facility to welcome school groups for hands-on outdoors activities, maritime history lessons, seasonal exhibits, and tours.
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Jimmy Buff interviews Jeff Rumpf, Clearwater Executive Director, Kate Mitchell, HRMM Executive Director, and Dave Conover, Clearater Executive Director for RNN’s “Kingston Now”.Clearwater’s Green Cities Initiative – A New Model for 21st Century Cities: The postindustrial cities of the Hudson River Valley have been subject to decreasing job opportunities and the abandonment of riverfront industrial properties. This has in turn led to increases in pollution, unemployment and a signifi cant reduction in community sense of place. In response to the need for waterfront community revitalization, Clearwater’s Green Cities Initiative engages urban populations to make the connection between watershed health and urban health. Our Green Cities programs are both academic and task-oriented, with the goal of organizing informational meetings that result in community-driven projects where stakeholders are brought together to address watershed and stormwater management, waterfront revitalization, pollution, environmental and climate justice, and green job creation.
The Green Cities Initiative has three basic parts involving education, action, and planning and is laying a foundation for Hudson River Valley residents to participate in the new green economy. Kingston as a Clearwater Green City, is establishing a model for helping Hudson Valley Residents put the “ECO” back into their local economy as they get involved in protecting, conserving and improving the natural environments in which they live .
“I believe that the synergy of these two outstanding organizations will propel the Kingston waterfront to a position of a premiere port on the Hudson River.” Congressman Maurice Hinchey
Help Us Build the Home Port: Clearwater and Hudson River Maritime Museum will work together to raise the funds necessary to complete the Kingston Home Port. This is a $1,242,000 campaign and we need your help to reach our goal for this project. To find out more about the Kingston Home Port and about the Clearwater – Hudson River Maritime Museum partnership, please contact: Jeff Rumpf, Clearwater Executive Director, at 845-265-8080, extension 7121, jeff@clearwater.org or Kate Mitchell, Hudson River Maritime Museum Executive Director, at 845.338.0071, extension 13, hrmm.katemitchell@yahoo.com
