Celebrating Exceptional Leadership
The Annual Awards Dinner is the single largest fundraising event promoting the work of the National Maritime Historical Society. Our gala celebrates the work of exceptional leaders in the maritime heritage community, bringing the message of the importance of our seafaring past to the wider world. By joining forces and working on mutual goals, our collective successes multiply, and our reach extends even further. We encourage you to support our mission and join us as we celebrate exceptional leadership in maritime research, education, and preservation.
Dr. Sylvia Earle
The Society celebrates Dr. Sylvia Earle and her life’s work exploring and advocating for our oceans with its 2024 NMHS Distinguished Service Award. Earle is a world-renowned marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author, lecturer, and National Geographic Explorer at Large. She is the founder, President and Chair of Mission Blue that has built international support for a global network of marine protected areas, or “Hope Spots.”
Earle was the first female chief scientist of NOAA (1990-1992), and the founder of the Deep Ocean Exploration and Research, Inc. (DOER). She has served as the chair of the Advisory Council of the Harte Research Institute, the Advisory Council of the Ocean in Google Earth, and spearheaded the National Geographic Society Sustainable Seas Expeditions. Earle has led more than 100 expeditions and logged more than 7,000 hours underwater, including leading the first female team of aquanauts for the Tektite II Project in 1970. She holds the record for untethered diving at a depth of 1,250 feet. Earle has received more than 100 honors from around the world. Her notable awards include Time magazine’s first Hero of the Planet, the United Nations Champion of the Earth, and the TED Prize.
Dr. John Hattendorf
Dr. John B. Hattendorf will be presented with the 2024 NMHS Distinguished Service Award for his many years of scholarship and published works that underscore the role of history in contemporary maritime strategy. Hattendorf is recognized internationally as a preeminent naval historian and named as “one of the most widely known and well-respected naval historians in the world” by the US Naval Institute’s Proceedings.
He was the Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History, a chair he occupied at the US Naval War College from 1984 to 2016. He served as chairman of the College’s Advanced Research Department from 1986-2003, as chairman of the Maritime History Department, and director of the Naval War College Museum from 2003-2016. A former surface warfare officer, he earned his degrees in history from Kenyon College, Brown University, and the University of Oxford. He is the author or editor of more than 50 books, including Sailors and Scholars and the Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History. The Society honors Dr. Hattendorf for the inspiration and guidance he has provided to scores of students — at the Naval War College, the Munson Institute, and beyond. His impact has influenced generations of historians.
Dr. Chuck Steele, Professor of History at the United States Air Force Academy will present the award.
Ford Reiche
Ford Reiche will receive the 2024 NMHS Distinguished Service Award for his restoration of several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, notably the 1871 Halfway Rock Light Station in Maine. The Halfway Rock Light Station restoration won a number of national and regional awards including the 2016 Preservation Award and the 2017 Keeper of the Light Award in recognition of his “contribution to the preservation of America’s lighthouses and their rich tradition.” In 2024, Reiche was awarded the Neal Allen Ward Award by Maine Historical Society for "outstanding contributions to the field of Maine history." In 2024, Reiche was honored with the 2024 Neal W. Allen Award of the Maine Historical Society for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Maine History.
The Society salutes Reiche for preserving the light station at Halfway Rock and documenting its rich history in his book, Halfway Rock Light Station. Reiche has been an attorney and an entrepreneur; in 2008 he was named the Maine Small Businessperson of the Year and the Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year. He is a former trustee of Maine Preservation.
Capt. Jeffrey McAllister, NMHS Trustee, will make the presentation
Thomas A. Whidden will serve as dinner chair. Whidden was recognized with the 2022 NMHS Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contributions to the yachting community and his unparalleled leadership in the design and manufacture of technologically advanced sails. He has worked to honor those of excellence in racing, encouraging younger generations to value and participate in the sport.
Richard T. du Moulin, award-winning yachtsman, will be the master of ceremonies. Entertainment will be provided by the US Coast Guard Academy Cadet Chorale, directed by Dr. Daniel McDavitt, DMA.
Video presentations will be produced by award-winning documentarian and NMHS vice chair, Richardo R. Lopes, executive director of Voyage Digital Media, and photographer/editor, Alessandro Lopes.
Sponsorship Opportunities
$50,000 Underwriter
- Premium table for 10 guests
- Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
- Full-page advertisement in Sea History magazine
- Recognition in the dinner program
- Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings, and email announcements
- Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums
$25,000 Event Marquee Sponsor
- Premium table for 10 guests
- Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
- Full-page advertisement in Sea History magazine
- Recognition in the dinner program
- Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings, and email announcements
- Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums
$15,000 Fleet Sponsor
- Premium table for 10 guests
- Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
- Full-page advertisement in Sea History magazine
- Recognition in the evening’s dinner program
Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings and email announcements - Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums
$10,000 Commodore Sponsor
- Premium table for 10 guests
- Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
- Full-page advertisement in Sea History magazine
- Recognition in the dinner program
- Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings, and email announcements
- Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums
$7,000 Reception Sponsor
- Premium table for 10 guests
- Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
- Full-page advertisement in Sea History magazine
- Recognition in the dinner program
- Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings, and email announcements
- Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums
$5,000 Take Home/Favor Sponsor
- Two tickets
- Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
- Recognition in the dinner program
- Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings, and email announcements
- Membership for 2 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums
$4,000 Table Host
- Table for 10 guests
- Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
- Recognition in the dinner program
- Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings, and email announcements
- Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums
$1,000 Individual Sponsor
- VIP seating for 2 guests
- Recognition on the Society’s website
- Membership for 2 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums
$400 Individual Dinner Reservation
- 1 individual dinner reservation
We Gratefully Appreciate our Sponsors
Commodore Sponsor
Caddell Dry Dock And Repair Co., Inc.
Reception Sponsor
McAllister Towing
Take Home Favor Sponsors
CAPT Sally McElwreath Callo, USN (Ret.) & RADM Joseph Callo, USN (Ret.)
The Turner Foundation
Thomas A. & Betsy Whidden
Table Hosts
Martin, Ottaway, van Hemmen & Dolan, Inc.
Richard T. du Moulin
CAPT James A. Noone, USN (Ret.)
Ford Reiche
Dr. Timothy J. & Laurie Runyan
William H. White
David Winkler
Individual Sponsors
Dr. William Dudley
VADM Al Konetzni, USN (Ret.)
Commodore Chip Loomis
Erik & Kathleen Olstein
Richard Scarano & Karen Helmerson
Philip & Irmy Webster
Donors
A.G.A. Correa & Son
American Cruise Lines
Bradford Portraits
Classic Harbor Line
The Estate of Paul Garnett
Global Terminals & John Atkins
Steve Kalil
Kobrand Corporation
M&B Shipcanvas Co.
John Medeiros Jewelry Collections
Leonard Mizerek
William G. Muller
Mystic Knotworks
Mystic Seaport Museum
Patrick O'Brien
Nathaniel Philbrick
Sea Bags
South Street Seaport Museum
H.C. Bowen Smith
2024 Annual Awards Dinner Committee
Dinner Chair
Thomas A. Whidden
Charles B. Anderson ∙ Capt. Jonathan Boulware ∙ Walter R. Brown ∙ CAPT Patrick Burns, USN (Ret.) ∙ Samuel F. Byers ∙ RADM Joseph F. Callo, USN (Ret.) ∙ CAPT Sally McElwreath Callo, USN (Ret.) ∙ Richard T. du Moulin ∙ David S. Fowler ∙ Catherine Green ∙ Clare Harrington ∙ Karen Helmerson ∙ Gary Jobson ∙ Steven P. Kalil ∙ VADM Al Konetzni, USN (Ret.) ∙ A. L. Chip Loomis ∙ Richardo R. Lopes ∙ Guy E. C. Maitland ∙ Capt. Jeffrey McAllister ∙ Elizabeth McCarthy ∙ Dr. Salvatore Mercogliano ∙ Michael W. Morrow ∙ CAPT James A. Noone, USN (Ret.) ∙ Erik K. Olstein ∙ Ronald L. Oswald ∙ Wendy Paggiotta ∙ Dr. Timothy J. Runyan ∙ Richard Scarano ∙ Philip J. Webster ∙ Dr. David Winker