Charting a Course for Future Generations
Museum Facility Expansion
(Click on any image for a larger view of the architectural rendering)
With the growing need for new and innovative cultural institutions in our community, the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum is expanding its facility and programs to reach a broader and more diverse audience.
In late 2005, the Museum successfully purchased 34,000 square-feet of waterfront property in the Fun Zone on the Balboa Peninsula, plus the adjacent docks, which will become the permanent home of the Museum and its Tall Ship program. By December 2006 we had completed the move from the riverboat "Pride of Newport", to our Balboa Peninsula home.
We have already opened the initial two phases of the new facility: the Richard and Betty Steele Model Pavilion and the East Wing Learning Center.
Our goal is to build a new facility large enough to showcase our growing collections, and significantly expand education and community outreach programs. The goal of the expansion is to become a world-class showcase for regional, national and international nautical and maritime history, becoming the cornerstone of a sought-after visitor destination.
Expected Results
- Educate visitors of all ages, abilities and economic levels by providing a meaningful nautical cultural experience through access to historic vessels, instructional programs, and traditional and contemporary interactive nautical exhibits.
- Expand our programming to reach a broader and
more diverse audience.
- Preserve a historic waterfront parcel, playing a major role in the revitalized harbor district.
- Awaken a sense of wonder about California’s coastline, encouraging understanding and stewardship of this region’s great natural resource.
- Create an example of sustainable economic and
heritage-based tourism development through a “green” environmentally-friendly building, transportation and strategic community alliances.
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