Recent federal and state actions—such as canceled grants, program restrictions, and directives limiting access to educational or historical content—are creating a difficult and uncertain environment for maritime organizations across the country. 

The National Maritime Historical Society is collecting information on how these developments are affecting maritime history programs, museums, and institutions.

Whether your organization has experienced funding disruptions, policy directives, or other challenges, we want to hear from you.

Your input will help us document the scope of these impacts and better understand the challenges facing the maritime field. All responses are kept strictly confidential and will not be shared without your permission. You may submit anonymously, and contact information is optional—used only if you’d like NMHS staff to follow up with you directly.

Share your story:

Take the Confidential Federal Action Impact Survey >>

For full details, download this PDF

50th ALBERT REED & THELMA WALKER MARITIME SYMPOSIUM

“RE|SOUNDING” 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2025 (BATH, MAINE)

Opening November 2025, Maine Maritime Museum’s newest exhibit, Re|Sounding, is dedicated to re-measuring our institutional understanding of Maine’s maritime history by centering Black and Indigenous perspectives. Re|Sounding marks a moment of institutional reflection and a commitment to responsibly and inclusively collecting, exhibiting, and sharing Maine’s maritime stories.

In conjunction with this new exhibit, Maine Maritime Museum is pleased to announce its symposium “Re|Sounding” on November 21, 2025. We invite presenters to submit proposals that engage with the themes of maritime history, cultural resilience,  colonialism, and the ongoing impact of these histories on present-day communities. 

The symposium is interdisciplinary and seeks presenters from industry, science, and the humanities—including history, art history, nautical archaeology, ecology, maritime law, and other fields. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the untold stories of maritime contributions of Indigenous and Black communities; analysis of colonial and enslavement practices and their effect on local and global maritime communities and industries; discussions regarding the intersection of maritime culture, resistance, identity, and memory; and cultural heritage projects that have actively centered BIPOC perspectives through collecting and storytelling endeavors. 

Abstracts

Abstracts should be 300 words or less and will be reviewed by the Program Committee. Decisions will be made by August 15, 2025.

Graduate Travel Stipend

Travel stipends of $350 are available to a limited number of graduate student presenters and are awarded on merit based on submitted abstracts.

Please send abstracts to abstracts@maritimeme.org by July 25, 2025

Call for Papers: 12th Maritime Heritage Conference & HNSA Symposium
📅 September 24–27, 2025 | 📍 Buffalo, NY
🗓️ Submission Deadline: May 31, 2025

It’s that time again—Don’t let procrastination standing between you and a great opportunity. Take your chance now or miss the perfect opportunity to connect with colleagues, share your insights, and shape the future of maritime heritage. Submit your proposal now and be part of the conversation that matters.

The deadline is approaching — act now or wish you had!

Submissions

Individual paper proposals must include a 250-400 word abstract of the paper, and short biographical writeup with contact information and email address. If selected, individual papers will be assigned by the program committee to an appropriate panel with a chair/commentator.

Panel proposals must include a panel title and 250-400 word abstract summarizing the theme of the panel; paper titles and a 250-word abstract for each paper proposed; and a short biographical write up for each panelist (including the chair and commentator) that includes institutional affiliation, email address, and other contact information.

Roundtable proposals must include a roundtable title, the full name and institutional affiliation of each participant, a 250-400 word abstract summarizing the roundtable’s themes and significance, and a short biographical writeup for each participant.

Members who wish to volunteer to serve as chairs and commentators should send a brief biographical write up to the program chair.

Please send all materials to the Program Committee Chair Dr. David Winkler at MHC@seahistory.org

Full details here

The National Museum of the United States Navy (NMUSN) is currently accepting entries for our logo competition which is open to all. We encourage anyone who is interested to participate.

Details regarding competition here: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/news-and-events/events/logo-competition.html.

Urge Congress to Provide U.S. 250th Anniversary Funding
AASLH has been meeting with Congressional offices about federal support for U.S. 250th anniversary activities. We are asking for robust funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which could offer avenues for investing in state and local history organizations.

It may seem odd to ask for additional funds for IMLS as current grants have been cancelled. But even as IMLS, National Endowment for the Humanities, and other federal agencies are curtailed, interest in 250th activities may prove a viable way to preserve functions of these agencies. The 250th is also an opportunity for Congress to hear about the importance of IMLS and related agencies to our field and the communities we serve.

To advance these efforts, we are working with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in both chambers to circulate a Dear Colleague letter in support of IMLS and America250. Members of Congress use these letters to gain support for causes or bills from their colleagues. Please send the suggested draft email below to yourCongressional Representative. If you have any questions, you can contact Christine Pellerin or Phil Powell, the lead contacts at the a government relations firm assisting us with this work. (Please note, the Quill Link in the email below is only accessible to an email address in the House of Representatives. The staff you send it to will be able to access it, but you will not.)

Dear Representative [INSERT NAME],

On behalf of [INSERT ORGANIZATION] based in [INSERT CITY AND STATE], I’m contacting you to urge Representative [INSERT NAME] to sign onto a Dear Colleague led by Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and John Larson (D-CT) in support of American 250 activities through the IMLS and A250 Commission. The fast-approaching U.S. Semiquincentennial (America 250) is just over two years away and is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to remind Americans of the ideals of our nation’s founding, including freedom, liberty and justice. The FY26 appropriations process is the last real opportunity before July 4, 2026, for Congress to provide funding to support America 250 activities across agencies which invest in local organizations like mine and are charged with carrying out programming for this purpose.

Please use the following Quill Link to sign on to the letter. Additionally, please do not hesitate to contact Maddie Mitchell in Rep. Kiggan’s office at (Maddie.Mitchell@mail.house.gov) or Collin Duran (Collin.Duran@mail.house.gov) to sign on or to ask questions. Thank you for your consideration of signing onto this letter.

Best regards,

[YOUR NAME]

IMLS Grant Cancellation Appeals

Our partners at the American Alliance of Museum (AAM) are recommending the following steps to file an appeal if you receive notice of a cancelled IMLS grant. Should any information to challenge cancelled grants at other agencies become available, we will be share it with you.

• Review Procedures for Requesting a Review of Suspension or Termination beginning on page 20.
• Email the appeal to Director Kevin Sonderling at ksonderling@imls.gov with copy to grantsadmin@imls.gov and IMLS General Counsel at ogc@imls.gov.
• Also use the eGMS system to file your termination appeal, as it is the official record for the government.
• AAM has been told that it’s unclear if organizations will be reimbursed for expenses accrued prior to the date of termination. Thus, it is very important to submit all expenses accrued for federal grants prior to the date on the termination letter.
• Review the National Council of Nonprofits checklist “What to do when your federal grant or contract is terminated.”
• Recommendations from Holland & Knight “What Recipients Need to Know if a Federal Grant is Terminated by the Government.”

If your grant has been cancelled, please send AASLH your cancellation letter or email. In addition to deepening AASLH’s understanding of the challenges our field faces, copies of grant cancellation notices could bolster analysis of potential legal options in support of IMLS. You are also encouraged to fill out a survey from AAM.

The Great Lakes Museum seeks a Marketing and Communications Coordinator with excellent communication skills and marketing experience to lead and support a wide variety of projects. This position is a great opportunity to work in a collaborative and fast-paced work environment while developing marketing, communications, social media and website management skills, and using creativity to amplify the profile of the Museum. This is a full-time, 10-month internship position partly funded by Young Canada Works Building Careers in Heritage program (YCW-BCH). All applicants must meet eligibility requirements for the YCW-BCH program and will be asked to prove eligibility prior to an offer of employment. Internship dates: May 14, 2025-March 27, 2026Salary: $18.50/hr Hours: 37.5 hrs/week – Wednesday- Sunday 9:30am-5:00pm Deadline to Apply: April 28, 2025 at 4:00pm EST To learn more visit our website

Learn more

Position: Shipwright II

Pay: $25.00

Location: Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic CT

Position Type: Full time, year round

Application link: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Apply/3097713/Mystic-Seaport-Museum-Inc/Shipwright-II

Description:

Key Responsibilities: 

• Perform structural repairs to wooden boat & ship hull components; frames, planks, beams, knees, decks, etc. 
• Assist with the fabrication and repair of wooden masts and spars, solid and laminated construction. 
• Build and/or repair wooden deck furniture and hardware. 
• Hull and deck caulking 
• Assist with Vessel docking, Line handling, hauling and launching 
• Document work through photos, written explanations, and/or drawings 
• Proper and respectful use of shipyard tools and equipment 
• Maintain a clean jobsite 
• Material handling with powered equipment (fork trucks, telehandler, man lifts, hoists, etc.) 
• Occasional interaction with museum visitors about shipyard activities and at all times represent Mystic Seaport Museum in a professional manner. 
• Occasionally assist other museum departments with their duties 

Requirements

  Qualifications:   

• Has three years of hands-on experience of traditional wooden ship construction and/or have a certificate from a boatbuilding school. Holds a standard driver’s license. 
• Owns and knows how to use a boatbuilder’s / shipwright’s hand tool kit. Can sharpen edge tools and drill bits. 
• Physical ability to work outdoors year- round in cold and wet weather. Ability to safely lift 60 lbs. Comfort with working from elevated OSHA approved staging platforms, floats, and Man-lifts. 
• Proficient use of stationery and hand-held electric wood working tools. 
• Is a self-starter, team player, and can collaborate with Shipwright I employees and volunteers. Willingness to learn advanced shipwright and trade related skills. Must communicate effectively with coworkers. 
• Demonstrates working knowledge of traditional ship construction and vessel plans. 
• Assist shipyard documentarian to record, log and document work performed through the use of notes, drawings, photographs, spreadsheets, and smart phone applications. 
• Demonstrates and practices advanced visual spatial skills and basic ship joinery skills.  
• Can effectively create accurate patterns to pick up shape, lift bevels and choose an appropriate piece of timber stock for the task at hand.  Has the ability to layout this information onto the stock. 
• Can properly and safely operate and maintain a chain saw.  
• Demonstrates the ability to fair by batten and/or by eye. 
• Some ability to practice traditional ship caulking and willingness to learn advanced techniques. 
• Has full knowledge of all the steps to hang a carvel plank on a vessel in a strong and tight manner. 
•  Working knowledge of producing larger and/or shaped parts through the process of glued laminations. 
• Holds the ability to drive and dock a small shipyard work boat around the MSM’s waterfront and willingness to obtain a CT Safe Boaters Certificate. 
• Is able to perform daily ship-keeping rounds for Mystic Seaport vessels. 
• At all times, will represent Mystic Seaport Museum in a professional manner.  
• Will have line handling skills with the ability to tie a bowline, clove hitch, and half hitches as needed for vessel tie ups.

Grant TerminationAs noted in previous alerts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has had its staff put on administrative leave with a lack of clarity on the status of already committed grants. In the last few days, news came out that the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH) will likely be targeted by the end of this week to cut its staff by 70-80%. We have learned of grant terminations by both NEH and IMLS being sent out to some grantees.

IF YOUR GRANT HAS BEEN TERMINATED:Contact your members of Congress immediately. They need to be aware of the direct impacts. They will not know if you do not tell them.  Call AND write to ensure the message gets received. AAM has set up a template you can use. You will need to add into the template as much information as possible about the grant and the impacts of losing it. During Museums Advocacy Day, we heard from many Congressional offices that they wanted to be notified if any grants were delayed or terminated for museums in their districts.If you have connections to Congressional staff, please contact them directly.Review the National Council of Nonprofits checklist “What to do when your federal grant or contract is terminated“Please also let AAM know if your grant has been terminated.If you are responding to the termination letters, please do so through the eGMS system, or official grants reporting system.If you are a Federally recognized tribe whose grant has been terminated, you should also contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs.Share your story with local media

CONTINUE TO PUT PRESSURE ON CONGRESS:If you don’t have a grant that was terminated, please continue to engage your members of Congress and your state legislators.Share influential stories on your social media channels on how your museum impacts the communityVisit Your Legislators Locally: Members of Congress will be in their home districts for two weeks in April 13-27, periodically home for extended weekends, and for all of August. Take the opportunity to invite your members of Congress to your museum, schedule a meeting with them in their district offices, or attend public forums that your members of Congress might be hosting.Share your story with local media.Write AND call your members of Congress about the impacts of gutting these agencies (note, AAM has updated this template to include NEH and IMLS)Write AND call your state-level elected officials and ask them to join in speaking up to members of Congress.Encourage your museum’s Board, supporters, and members to write and call their members of Congress. AAM continues to work with Congressional champions to identify viable options to help support the museum community.  Continue to check this webpage for further updates.