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The Maritime Museum of San Diego is home to the maritime story of the West Coast and beyond with one of the most extensive collections of historic ships in the world. Donations & Membership help to tell the maritime story and to preserve these ships.

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or call: 619-234-9153 ext. 128

From Our President & CEO

May 2026

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you today with an urgent appeal. To keep afloat, the Maritime Museum of San Diego relies on support from a variety of important sources: generous donors and members, foundations, and government funding. However, the recently released draft budget for the City of San Diego FY 2027 calls for devastating slashes to arts and culture funding.

We are facing complete elimination of the City’s Organizational Support Program. For the Maritime Museum, this means the loss of almost $200,000 in annual general operating support. This is funding that we count on for staff salaries, ship maintenance, educational programming, and simply keeping the lights on.

This loss of funding could lead to:

  • Reduced school programs and community outreach
  • Limited vessel access and public programming
  • Delays of critical vessel repairs (which become more expensive over time)

This potential loss in funding has taken our mid-year fundraising goal from $100,000 to $300,000. Here at the Maritime Museum, we believe that we have something more powerful than any grant – the passion of this community.

Please consider making a gift today to support our vessels and core operations.

We are proud to take care of these historic vessels, serve over 10,000 students annually in our education programs, and teach over 100,000 visitors about San Diego’s past, present, and future connection to the sea.

Thank you for your support!

With urgency and gratitude,

Christina Connett Brophy, PhD – President & CEO, Maritime Museum of San Diego

Christina Connett Brophy, PhD
President & CEO
Maritime Museum of San Diego

One of the best gifts we are given as educators is learning how the students we have worked with on our Living History programs have grown in the time since we worked with them. Learning that the shy, reserved kid who came to us has gone forth to become the leader of their youth ministry, the president of the student council, or the lead actress in a professional stage production. And when we further discover that it was our work with them that unlocked that potential, that gave them the confidence and opportunity to be their fullest selves?

Those are our proudest moments, to have had the honor and privilege of being an important, positive factor in our students’ lives.

– John Walsh, MMSD Educator

Every gift makes a difference. Whether large or small, your contributions combine to fuel our mission. Join us at any level and become part of this extraordinary journey!

Make a 100% tax-deductible investment to the Maritime Museum’s mission of preserving our history and you are investing in your communities future.

Or send your donation to:
Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 N Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101

The Maritime Museum Association of San Diego is an exempt organization as described in sections 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Federal ID# 95-2130325.