Newport Harbor Nautical Museum

The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum fulfills its goal of preserving and promoting the nautical heritage of Newport Harbor through its events, exhibits, and educational programs that are accessible to residents and visitors to the area. The museum opened in 1986 and has grown from a small one-room facility into the museum it is today. In 1995, the museum was re-christened the Pride of Newport and provides visitors with 13,000-square feet of gallery space. There is also a classroom, conference room, library, gift shop, and restaurant on the premises. The museum reaches out to both children and adults with an interest in learning about the maritime history of the Newport Beach area. The museum has plans to continue its growth and in 2005 purchased 34,000-square feet of space near the waterfront. The goal is to expand the education programs and offers adult and youth learning opportunities. The museum welcomes individual and group tours and can tailor experiences to meet the needs of certain ages or grades, or specific interests. In addition to the guided tours offered at the museum, visitors can take part in the lecture series or they can host social events at the museum like birthday parties or family celebrations. The museum offers hands-on experiences that educate and enrich the lives of those living in a thriving maritime community.