Dear Friends & Partners,
As I look back on this remarkable first year at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, I’m filled with immense gratitude and pride. With your support, we have accomplished so much in a short time.
We have strengthened our connection to the community, welcoming new partnerships that bring fresh energy to our mission of preserving and sharing maritime skills and history.
Expanded Educational Reach
We’ve expanded our educational reach in blue economy and technology, introducing students to new pathways to sustainable maritime industries and providing site testing access for innovators in ocean sustainability. We are making transformative institutional changes to ensure a healthy and resilient financial future for the museum and our historic fleet. We are connecting the past, present and future in a way only maritime museums can.
There were countless moments that remind me why this work matters so much, but two recent ones stand out. The first was last month’s on-the-water blue technology demonstration with emerging innovators. We invited a youth group from the Salvation Army to attend, and when I asked them, “Do you like robotics?” one young girl said with a wide, happy smile, “I do now!” In that instant, history, innovation, and her possible future passion connected.
Powerful Welcome
The second was arriving into port from San Francisco aboard the magnificent tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl. As we emerged from thick fog, we were greeted by the Californian, PCF 816 Swift, and Pilot escorting us into the bay. Many aboard shared that it was the most powerful and impressive welcome they had received on their global voyage. It was a breathtaking reminder of the pride and spirit of this fleet, this port, our heritage, and this community.
We have worked hard this year to beautify our site and create a more welcoming and vibrant waterfront presence by removing metal fencing, tackling general deferred maintenance, and adding greenery to our entrances.
Star To Sail In 2027
I am also thrilled to share that we are preparing to sail the Star of India in 2027 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of her arrival in San Diego-a once-in-a-century moment for our Museum and our region.
Finally, I extend my deepest thanks to Board Chair Ken Stipanov for his extraordinary leadership, and I am honored to announce Manish Parikh as our new Board Chair and John Laun as Vice Chair for 2026. We are also thrilled to welcome Kenny Alameda and Michael Potiker as new members of the Board of Directors.
Thank You For Believing
Thank you for believing in the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Your support, through attendance, membership, volunteering, donations, partnership, and advocacy, ensures that maritime history is not only preserved, but brought to life every day for generations to come. Your end-of-year donation is essential for our continued success in the coming year, and we are counting on your investment as we forge a strong path towards a magnificent horizon.
Before we step into the next chapter, I invite you to join me in celebrating a few highlights from 2025.
With gratitude,
Christina Connett Brophy, PhD
President & CEO
Maritime Museum of San Diego
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Our work relies on the generosity and partnership of people like you. Here are a few ways you can support us:
• Make a tax-deductible gift to support the Museum’s general operating expenses. Every dollar counts!
• Become a member or keep your membership active to sustain ongoing programs and preservation.
• Share this newsletter with friends and colleagues to help spread the word about our mission.
INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS
• As an Executive Council Member of the International Congress of Maritime Museums (ICMM), Dr. Brophy has brought the Museum into the ICMM Global Maritime Refugees Project.
• As the only ICMM member located in Southern CA, we are uniquely placed to foster global collaborations and spotlight regional maritime heritage.
• In July, MMSD signed a Sister Museums MOU with the Galata Museo del Mare in Genoa, Italy, forging a long-term international alliance to promote maritime heritage, education, blue economy,
ocean sustainability, and cultural exchange between the two historic port cities.
• In August, MMSD was invited to participate in the Asia-Pacific Maritime Culture Forum,
hosted by Hong Kong Maritime Museum, together with the China Maritime Museum.
• Dr. Brophy participated in the Sustainable Ocean Solutions Summit in San Francisco and the following One Ocean Expedition aboard the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, deepening
our relationship with San Diego House of Norway and international discussion on ocean sustainability.
MUSEUM OUTREACH
• In September, Californian traveled out of area for the first time since the pandemic. She participated in the Ocean Institute Maritime Festival in Dana Point, sharing history through cannon battle demonstrations and tours.
• Jim Davis, our esteemed Director of Ship Operations, traveled to the Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend, WA, to share his
experience caring for the Star of India.
MARITIME HISTORY & COMMUNITY
• In March, we hosted the beautifully
restored Western Flyer-the fishing boat whose 1940 trip to Mexico inspired John Steinbeck’s Log from the Sea of Cortez. The crew, alongside our dedicated docents, welcomed hundreds of visitors on board during its 3-day visit, sparking conversations about history, literature, and the sea.
• June brought a unique book launch for San Diego Seafood: Then & Now; Recipes and Stories from a History of Fishing (available in our gift shop). This community-created volume traces San Diego’s fishing history
through more than 75 recipes, insightful historical passages, and striking images.
NEW EXHIBITIONS
• In July, we opened a free satellite exhibit at Arts District Liberty Station as part of a new long-term partnership: “Memories of
the Greatest Generation.” The exhibit
features limited-edition photographs by Edward Steichen and colleagues,
enhancing accessibility to our collections and broadening partnerships with community organizations.
• In August, the Museum acquired the
Deep Flight I submersible, a personal
submarine designed by Graham Hawkes. This acquisition will be featured in a forthcoming exhibit on blue technology.
MAJOR SHIP MAINTENANCE
• Replaced port engine in the PCF 816 Swift. Thank you to our Swifties for their generous support with this unexpected project!
• Hauled out both San Salvador and Californian for regular maintenance
• Rebuilt the transmission on Pilot
BLUE TECHNOLOGY
• This fall, we welcomed several ROV companies to the Museum, including
teams focused on hull inspections and waste collection.
• The IADYS Jellyfishbot was on-site, aiding in bay cleanup around our historic ships.
A LOOK AHEAD: 2026 AND BEYOND
• Expanded educational programs for learners of all ages, with hands-on,
ship-centric, technology-driven curricula.
• Ongoing ship preservation projects to protect and celebrate our fleet.
• Continued waterfront collaborations and community events that make our harbor a hub of activity and learning.. • Refreshed exhibits that
deepen our understanding
of maritime history,
technology, and culture.
• Revitalization of the Gateway Project, our capital campaign to build a permanent Museum building alongside our fleet of ships.
• Sailing the Star of India in 2027 to celebrate her 100th year of being in San Diego.