Dear Friends, 

Today is #GivingTuesdayNow - a way for people to come together by supporting communities and nonprofits across the globe in response to the unprecedented need created by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Here at the Museum of America’s Ship of State, we remain focused on sparking conversations, making connections, and building community around maritime heritage, military service, and the American experience. Every day we think about ways we can provide you with engaging and educational programs about the Ship and the Navy through our Virtual Museum -- such as our newly-launched interactive game A Sailor’s Life for Me; the popular Historian at Home video series; and weekly LEGO® Ship Shape Competition.  We know that students and families at home are looking for exciting, educational content and we are pleased to provide stories from USS Constitution’s history as inspiration.

I am proud of how our Museum family has come together in the past six weeks. Our virtual programs are dynamic and our online audiences increase every day. We are honored that Boston Magazine recently named us as one of The Coolest Ways to Experience Boston Museums Virtually Right Now. I assure you that the Virtual Museum will stay active and open until we can be together in person again. 

Yet the financial impact of the Museum’s closure is dramatic. One-third of our $3 million budget comes from visitor-generated revenue. With these funding streams unavailable, we must count on donations from friends like you to support our operations and to power the Virtual Museum while we are closed to the public. 

These are challenging times for all, which is why I would be so grateful for your gift of any amount today.  Your gift will support both our Virtual Museum now and the upcoming programs and exhibits that we are working hard to create for the day when we can open our doors again. 

Together, we will sail through these choppy seas and emerge into safer waters stronger and better prepared for the future. Best wishes to you and your families in the days and weeks ahead. 

Fair Winds, 

Anne Grimes Rand

President & CEO