Christening opens Steamship Society doors for research

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 5/28/15

The Steamship Historical Society of America (SSHSA) started in Manhattan with seven amateur historians in 1935 and in this, the society’s 80th year, it has nearly 3,000 members from around the …

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Christening opens Steamship Society doors for research

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The Steamship Historical Society of America (SSHSA) started in Manhattan with seven amateur historians in 1935 and in this, the society’s 80th year, it has nearly 3,000 members from around the world and is the leading organization concerning the history of engine-powered vessels.

For their anniversary SSHSA has consolidated its collection in its newest headquarters on Post Road and on Friday, May 22, National Maritime Day, it officially opened for researchers.

Matthew Schulte, executive director of SSHSA, said, “There is no other place like this, a unique repository with 80 years of collected history.”

From travel logs and diaries, artwork, periodicals, artifacts along with various other memorabilia, the SSHSA has comprised a comprehensive and historical collection that often “blows people away,” and this is the first time in the society’s history that it has all been under one roof rather than scattered across the country.

For months the employees at the Society have been organizing and cataloguing everything they received, even digitalizing what they can for the conservation project, Image Porthole.

“Just like steam drove the 19th century, the virtual and digital world drives the 21st century,” Schulte said.

He said making parts of the collection digitally available will allow the next generation to access the information and keep the society “pertinent” to the younger generation.

To celebrate the opening, the SSHSA held a small ceremony at their offices for members where the building was christened in “naval tradition” by breaking a bottle of champagne over the building.

This fall the society will be initiating a “major fundraising campaign,” and are already well on their way after a board member, Brent Dibner, pledged to match $1 for every $3 the society raises, up to $100,000.

Schulte said it was a relief to finally be open and, “This is an exciting time for us and we are pleased to have this wealth of knowledge available right here in Rhode Island.”

Currently the offices are only open for research appointments, but hope to open to the general public later this year when they have more employees and have done some fundraising.

For more information on the SSHSA or to make a research appointment, visit www.sshsa.org or call 463-3570.

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