“Close to the Wind: Our Maritime History”

The sea has always played a significant role in the history of Greenwich, which has 36 miles of coastline. Since the town’s founding in 1640, boats plying Long Island Sound were a regular and reliable means of commercial trade and passenger transport. Yet by June 1896, the last market sloop sailed from the Lower Landing in Cos Cob to New York, signaling the end of an era.
With the rise of pleasure yachting, new maritime pursuits appeared on the horizon. Yachting soon became both a sport and a leisure activity associated with the grand lifestyle of the wealthy tycoons who built the great estates. Over time, as boating became more affordable, Greenwich once again witnessed a proliferation of boats of every size and description that resulted in the establishment of many organizations dedicated to boating.
Through paintings, photographs, maps, charts and instruments, this exhibition explores the rich history of maritime Greenwich and shares the myriad stories that link us to our coastal roots.