Giving Tuesday, 2020

In many ways, 2020 was a tough year for us. We were shut down from March 15th through July 9th. All our spring and most of our summer programs were cancelled or put on hold. But necessity is the mother of invention, and we call 2020 our "Pivot Year," when we moved quickly to regroup and rethink our public programs and how we tell the story of the Hudson River. And a lot of you helped us along the way!

This year, Giving Tuesday is on December 1, 2020. You can help us make our year-end fundraising goal with a donation of any amount. 

Our Top 5 Achievements of 2020

2020 was a rough year for everyone, but we're especially proud of how our staff and volunteers pivoted to revamp existing programs and create new ones, even in the face of a global pandemic. Despite all the challenges of New York On Pause, we're proud of our achievements in 2020. Here's a list of our proudest moments, from our most recent to earliest achievements in 2020.

5. Wooden Boat School

Despite shutting down in the middle of classes due to the pandemic, HRMM's Wooden Boat School implemented COVID safety protocols and reopened in August to sold-out classes. 

Classes were so popular, we had to add extra sessions and we have a waiting list for more. We're excited to continue our great offerings in 2021!

4. Sailing School & Conference

Delayed due to shut down, HRMM's Sailing School implemented COVID safety protocols for sold out individual classes. Of particular importance were the reduced-size COVID-safer youth sailing classes, where kids and teens got to learn to sail on the water in a safe and supportive way.

The Sailing School also shifted the 4th Annual Riverport Women's Sailing Conference to all-virtual, hosting over 120 attendees from all over the world. 

3. Solaris Tours

The shutdown came in mid-March, just as we were gearing up to put Solaris, HRMM's 100% solar-powered tour boat, in the water. But tours were one of the first programs to return in July, with new COVID safety protocols in place. We put together a slate of new cruises and tours and in just 4 short months we served hundreds of visitors, 10-12 people at a time. 

2. RiverWise Voyages 

In the midst of a scary pandemic and shutdown, HRMM planned two educational voyages covering the whole Hudson River from Albany to NY Harbor. With our partners aboard Schooner Apollonia, we shared hundreds of social media posts and videos, with more documentary films to come.

1. History Blog

In the first weeks of the shutdown, HRMM took our History Blog from once-a-month to 7-days-a-week posting. We continue to provide engaging articles, both old and new, including the Muddy Paddle series and weekly Hudson Riverscape Photo Contest, to a new generation of readers. 

Are you proud of us, too?

What do you think of our list? Did we make you proud, too? 

Please consider a small gift to help support the Hudson River Maritime Museum as we take our innovative programs into 2021! You can donate below, or on Facebook. Any amount makes a difference!