Solaris is a 100% solar-powered vessel built by the Hudson River Maritime Museum. It does not require fossil fuels to operate. Designed by marine architect Dave Gerr from a concept developed by David Borton, owner of Sustainable Energy, our tour boat is commercial in design, meeting all U.S. Coast Guard regulations for commercial passenger-carrying vessels. She can travel up to 50 miles at night without the use of her solar panels. Even on cloudy days, the solar panels are so efficient that they continue to power the batteries. Solaris is used for educational programs, public tours, and private charters and events. With near-silent running, low wake, and no engine fumes, Solaris makes the ideal "floating classroom" for children and the general public alike.

The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related communities. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Wooden Boat School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard its floating classroom, Solaris. The museum is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. ​

KINGSTON, N.Y. – The Hudson River Maritime Museum is pleased to announce the upcoming lecture “Warning Signs:  Climate Change in the Hudson Valley,” held in-person on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 7:00 PM.
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The signs of climate change are all around us; rising sea levels, more frequent and severe storms, heatwaves, and droughts are becoming the norm both globally, and right here in the Hudson Valley. Scientists warn that we must take significant action this decade to save ourselves from the most serious consequences of a warming earth. Learn what the HRMM is doing to educate the public about the causes, consequences, and actions that we can take to meet this challenge with its new exhibit, Warming Signs: Climate Change in the Hudson Valley. Participants will have the opportunity to tour both the new indoor and outdoor exhibits which are scheduled to open in June.

Russ Lange worked as a scientist and engineer at IBM for 40 years.  He retired from the position of IBM Fellow and VP of Technology Strategy.  He became interested in climate change in the early 80s while at IBM Research.  In 2006 Russ became the Executive Director for HRMM and has been involved in its leadership in various capacities since.  His special interest is exhibit development and has been involved, together with his wife and other teams, in the creation of over 25 exhibits at HRMM, The Newburgh Historical Society, The D&H Canal Museum and IBM.
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Meg Clark: With thirty years of experience as a classroom teacher and environmental educator, Meg has a deep appreciation for the need to provide students with meaningful opportunities to explore their natural world.  In her capacity as elementary science and math specialist for Ulster BOCES and the Kingston School district, she has written curricula, provided teacher training, and served as an adjunct professor for the School of Education at SUNY New Paltz. Her classroom experience has made her acutely aware of the capacity that we all have to impact children’s lives."
 
Tickets are $7 for the general public and free for Hudson River Maritime Museum members. To register, visit www.hrmm.org/lecture-series.

About the Follow the River Lecture Series
For more than a decade the Hudson River Maritime Museum's "Follow the River Lecture Series" has hosted historians, authors, and maritime experts for engaging illustrated talks on a variety of regional history and maritime subjects. In recent years, many of the lectures have also been recorded and are available on YouTube. For more information about upcoming lectures and to access recordings of past lectures, visit www.hrmm.org/lecture-series. The series is sponsored by Rondout Savings Bank.

​The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related communities. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Wooden Boat School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard its floating classroom, Solaris. The museum is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. Visit www.hrmm.org for more information.