people visited the Boston National Historical Park and Boston African American National Historic Sites in 2010, the latest year for which figures are available, and spent more than $93 million in the parks and surrounding communities. This activity supported 1,212 jobs in the local area. These figures were extracted from a national study, which revealed that visitors to National Parks spent $3 1 billion in 2010, an increase of $689 million over 2009 . (To download the report, visit www.narure.nps.gov/socialscience/ ptoducrs.cfm#MGM and click on "Economic Benefits to Local Comm uniti es from National Park Visitation and Payroll, 2010" .) BankNewport in Rhode Island recently launched a new boat loan program to support the completion of SSV Oliver Hazard Perry. Now through the end of 2012, for each consumer boar loan of $100,000 or more
SSVOliver Hazard Perry
foot square-rigged ship to a diverse student population, including those with disabilities. (O HPRI, POB 115, 29 Touro Street, Newport, RI ; Ph. 401 8410080; www.tallshipsrh odeisland.org) ... In April, Connecticut's State Senate and Governor Dannel P. Malloy officially designated the 2013-2014 academic year to be the "Year of the Charles W. Morgan." Mystic Seaport president Steve White explained that the designation "will enable us to integrate our exhibits and programs with the state's education and tourism initiatives and
help us raise awareness of the importance of rhe ship to both Connecticut and America's maritime heritage." The historic whaling ship is in the middle of a major multi-year restoration project that will return the ship to a seaworthy condition. They plan to rake rhe Morgan to sea for a visit to her original homeport in New Bedford, MA, and a for a visit our to Srellwagen Ban k, north of Cape Cod, not to hunt the whales but to pay respects to them and our seafaring heritage. (75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, CT 06355 ; www.mysricseaport.org)
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21STANNUAL
WOODENBOJ\T SHOW originated at BankNewport, the bank will donate $250 to Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI). For loans of less than $100,000, the bank will donate $100. BankNewport has already extended grants totaling $35,000 to OHPRI, including $25,000 in 2008 for the acquisitio n and shipb uilding plan for the vessel, and a second grant in the amo unt of $10,000 in 20 10 in support of the organization's headquarters at the historic Buliod-Perry House on Washington Square in downtown Newport. As of this past January, OHPRI had raised nearly $5 million toward its $7.4 million fundraising goal. The hull of the uncompleted rail ship is berthed at Senesco Marine in North Kingstown, RI, where it is undergoing major steel work in preparation for its upper deck and the addition of 331,650 pounds oflead ballast. The OHPRI plans to offer experienced-based core learning opportunities onboard the 196-
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MYSTIC SEAPORT, MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT PRODUCED & PRESENTED BY
WOODENBOAT MAGAZINE
Summer begi.ns at The WoodenBoat Show! Tickets and information: www.TheWoodenBoatShow.com
SJEAHISTORY 139, SUMMER2012