The Herreshoff Marine Museum's Annual Lecture Series brings the knowledge of established authors, historians, sailors, boatbuilders and experts in maritime and industrial history directly to the public. Learn from some of these accomplished individuals in the Hall of Boats or in our historic factory setting at Gallery 26.

The Herreshoff Lecture Series offers in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. In purchasing a ticket, you are purchasing access to the lecture either virtually or in person on the date and time specified. We strive to record lectures and send out recordings to ticket holders after the lecture whenever possible, but very occasionally per speaker request and/or due to technical issues the lectures are not recorded. Lectures begin with an in-person reception from 6-7 pm, and the speaking and virtual portion of the evening begins at 7 pm.

During the warmer months, lectures are held on the ground floor in the Museum's Hall of Boats at 1 Burnside Street. In the winter, lectures move to Gallery 26, located in the historical Burnside Machine Shop on the second floor at 26 Burnside Street. While Gallery 26 is heated for winter events, it is not currently wheelchair accessible, so we encourage guests with mobility concerns to consider our virtual ticket options.

Season passes are now available for purchase! These passes are valid for all 2025 lectures, whether you decide to attend virtually or in person. You must be an HMM member to purchase. Be sure to check back for more detailed descriptions of each talk or book signing in the new year.

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Thursday January 30, 2025
Lecture: "The Progress of Propulsion: Part II"
Evan Ide, antique car specialist

Tuesday February 11, 2025
Lecture & Book Signing: "America's Cup Deed of Gift & Related Documents"
R. Steven Tsuchiya, yachting historian & author

Thursday February 20, 2025
Lecture & Book Signing: "The Last Trap Fishermen of Rhode Island"
Markham Starr, documentarian, author & photographer

Thursday March 20, 2025
Lecture: "Jersey Cats"
John Brady, maritime historian & boatbuilder, president emeritus of Independence Seaport Museum,

Thursday April 17, 2025
Lecture: "18th & 19th Century Sail Repair at Sea"
Emily Whitted, historian of early American material culture & decorative Arts

Thursday May 22, 2025
Lecture & Book Signing: "Rum Running in Narragansett Bay"
Christian McBurney, historian & author

Thursday, June 26, 2025
Lecture & Book Signing: "Franklin Roosevelt and the Quoddy Tidal-Electric Power Project"
Mark Borton, maritime author & entrepreneur

Thursday September 18, 2025
Lecture: "A Voyage to the Arctic on the Schooner BOWDOIN"
Graham McKay, executive director & lead boatbuilder, Lowell's Boatshop

Tuesday October 28, 2025
Exhibition Talk: "Early Portraiture in New Bedford"
Marina Wells, curatorial fellow, New Bedford Whaling Museum

Thursday November 20, 2025
Lecture: "Gilded Age Yachting Attire"
Alice Dickinson, curator of collections, New York Yacht Club

The Herreshoff Lecture Series is Proudly Sponsored by: American Cruise Lines, BankNewport, Bristol Marine, Gowrie Group, Points East Magazine, BayCoast Bank, Project Bluewater Racing and Safe Harbor.