The United States Maritime Foundation is poised to take over operation of the Tall Ship Providence and its floating pier at Waterfront Park in Old Town Alexandria next month, allowing waterfront tours and educational programming to resume.
Marion Smith, president of the foundation, told ALXnow that his organization will officially sign paperwork taking over responsibility for the pier and ship in early November.
In a presentation before the city’s Waterfront Commission on Tuesday (Oct. 20), Smith said the plan is to keep the bar open at the floating pier and expand educational programming and boat tours throughout the holidays.
The nonprofit also plans to acquire a three-story, 21,700-square-foot building at 1 Prince Street, just across Waterfront Park, by next spring and open it to the public as the National Maritime Museum in 2030.
Smith congratulated his board of directors for moving fast and accelerating the museum’s plans after the Tall Ship Providence Foundation abruptly announced in June that it was ceasing operations. He said the foundation previously signed a memorandum of understanding to take over the Tall Ship Providence and floating pier by 2028.
“We had to pivot, because that was bad news for the City of Alexandria, and there was no way that didn’t affect us,” Smith told ALXnow. “If you look at the city logo, there’s a tall ship on it. We can’t lose it.”
The Providence is a replica of the first warship commissioned by the Continental Congress in 1775. Since 2023, visitors have been welcomed aboard by actors portraying historical figures, and visitors can take hour-long cruises along the Potomac River. The ship is docked at the Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center.
Smith said the Providence needs repairs to its hull before it can go back to sailing on the Potomac, and it can stay docked until then. Dockside tours of the ship are also planned.
“It’s a dockside attraction,” Smith said. “It’s important for educational programming, because kids and families can learn about the Revolutionary period.”
