Wooden Hulls & Rag-Tag Fleets:
From the Continental to the US Navy   

Join us for the combined AHS / Athenaeum salute to the upcoming Sails on the Potomac when we host a panel of experts discussing an overview of the early days of the US Navy and its predecessor, the Continental Navy.

Our Free, Family-Friendly Friday night prelude to Sails on the Potomac will include:

• Dr. Tom Sheppard, author of Commanding Petty Despots who will discuss the creation of the Continental Navy, its officer corps, and the accomplishments & struggles of the American Revolutionary war at sea. 

• Mr. Chris Martin from the Ships, Stations and Squadrons Histories Branch of the Naval History & Heritage Command, who will describe what some of the early Navy ships were like.

• A crewmember of Alexandria's own Tall Ship The Providence, a reproduction of the first Continental Navy ship, will share information about the ship and the following week's Sails on the Potomac, part of Sail 250.

• A taste of LIQUID HISTORY tells a story that leads us through some fascinating tidbits of naval terminology and lore that ties a pre-Revolutionary British admiral who fought the War of Jenkins' Ear to Alexandria's own history.

• A RAFFLE of a gift card for The Providence tours and Sails on the Potomac merchandise.

We will conclude with an informal Q&A session on all things early Navy with historic light refreshments.

Let us know you are coming so that we can plan accordingly.