The national maritime historical society will modernize the national maritime alliance to support a coordinated national learning infrastructure that strengthens maritime museums and advances public…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the National Maritime Historical Society $643,196 on September 1, 2026, under the National Leadership Grants program (CFDA 45.312) to modernize the National Maritime Alliance and strengthen the maritime museum field.

The recipient will establish a coordinated national learning infrastructure addressing field-wide challenges including limited institutional capacity, weather-related risks to historic vessels, and fragmented access to expertise. Deliverables include a unified job and exhibit exchange platform, an expert directory, cross-sector roundtables, an expanded livestream series, and a national learning summit aligned with America's 250th anniversary. These tools will provide small and mid-sized museums with practical guidance, accelerate problem-solving, and support stewardship of maritime cultural assets while advancing public understanding of America's maritime heritage.

The project runs through December 31, 2028, with place of performance in Peekskill, New York. The National Maritime Historical Society, which operates as Sea History Magazine, is the ultimate recipient.

The national maritime historical society will modernize the national maritime alliance to support a coordinated national learning infrastructure that strengthens maritime museums and advances public understanding of america's maritime heritage. The project will address critical field wide challenges, limited capacity, weather related risks to historic vessels, and fragmented access to expertise by establishing shared digital resources, expert networks, and national forums. Key deliverables include a unified job and exhibit exchange platform, an expert directory, cross sector roundtables, an expanded livestream series, and a national learning summit aligned with america's 250TH anniversary. These tools will equip small and mid sized museums with practical guidance, accelerate problem solving, and support stronger stewardship of the nation's maritime cultural assets.