The Tall Ship Providence is completing repairs in Saint Michaels, Md.
Large crowds gathered along the banks of the Potomac River when the Tall Ship Providence first made her way into Alexandria through the open arch of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in 2019. The arrival of Providence had long been anticipated following close to two years in a Maine shipyard preparing for a new life in Virginia.
Providence was built in 1976 as a Revolutionary War-era replica of the first ship authorized to serve in the Continental Navy. Small but mighty and under the leadership of Captain John Paul Jones, Providence is best known for outsmarting and outmaneuvering British ships far greater in size and capturing both ship and crew.
“Today, Providence serves as a living classroom, introducing students to important topics through interactive, hands-on educational programs rich in STEM and maritime history,” said Kathy Seifert, executive director of the Tall Ship Providence Foundation. “Tall Ship Providence Foundation’s 4th Grade Education Program aligns with the Virginia state 4th grade curriculum and acts as a memorable introduction to the American Revolution.”
In 2024, the Tall Ship Providence Foundation launched its “Field Trip Program” to ensure that all local students have equal access to this experience, despite school budget constraints. The Field Trip Program serves students from Title One schools, and other under-resourced areas, with little or no access to off-site, educational experiences.
“As a resident of Alexandria, you may have noticed that our beloved Providence has been missing from her home at The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park,” Seifert said. “In early March, Providence and her crew made the two-day trip to Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., for repair work. This work has been costly and time consuming, but we hope to welcome Providence back to Alexandria’s waterfront in early July.”
Seifert said that the Foundation is seeking community support to return Providence to her home along the Old Town waterfront.
“We are asking for our community’s help to return Providence to our dock and resume her award-winning tours and educational programs,” Seifert said. “The cost of this repair totals $87,300, which includes major deck work, repair of the railings, adjustments to the mast and other rigging, and inspection of the hull.”
To learn more about Providence’s ongoing ship repairs, or to make a donation, visit the Donate page at www.tallshipprovidence.org/repairs. For questions, please contact kathy@tallshipprovidence.org.
Added Seifert, “We greatly appreciate Alexandria’s commitment to preserving our nation’s history and look forward to seeing everyone at the Maritime Heritage Center soon.”