FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2025
CONTACT
Lauren Craig
Newport Historical Society Selected as National Winner of Excellence in Education Award
NEWPORT, RI — The Newport Historical Society (NHS) announced today that they have been selected by the National Park Service (NPS) as the national winner of the 2024 Excellence in Education Program Award. The award is in recognition of the NHS’s Women on the Water program, which engages female students in grades 6-12 in STEM education, maritime history, and career exploration.
The NHS will be celebrated as the sole recipient of this national award at a ceremony in August. The distinction comes just two weeks after the NHS announced another national recognition: an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH).
“From our educational programming to our engaging exhibitions, it is so exciting to see the work of the NHS being recognized. Public history goes far beyond academic research and maintenance of our archives – though that too is critical to our mission. To truly do this work well, we must meet people where they are to make history relevant and compelling today, and these national honors signal that our efforts to make history come alive are paying off,” said Rebecca Bertand, NHS executive director.
The NHS was nominated for the NPS Excellence in Education Program Award by Johnny F. Carawan, trail administrator of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (WARO). The WARO begins in Newport and the Trail collaborates with the NHS regularly throughout the year, including on Women on the Water and a number of events and programs related to the upcoming semiquincentennial.
“The program embraces experiential learning, offering opportunities like sailing on a tall ship, where students directly apply engineering and scientific concepts to historical tools and modern vessels. This place-based education connects Newport’s maritime history with contemporary STEM fields, creating interdisciplinary learning experiences,” Carawan wrote in his nomination.
Through Women on the Water, students in grades 6-12 engage in kayaking, sailing, and navigation, while learning about coastal erosion and marine ecosystems, and exploring the vital roles women can play in the maritime and STEM fields. Learning Newport’s maritime history is another critical component of the program, which has engaged schools like Blackstone Valley Prep and Sophia Academy to date.
“Rhode Island is known for its beautiful coastline, but many students across the state still have limited exposure to it. Women on the Water has allowed our students to spend time out on the ocean with an all-female crew, learning about our state’s rich maritime history and exploring a career path they may never have considered otherwise,” said Marie Myers, head of school at Sophia Academy, an all-girls middle school in Providence. “We’re grateful for the partnership with the Newport Historical Society and the Washington-Rochambeau Trail for creating a hands-on, experiential STEM learning experience that our students will never forget.”
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About the Newport Historical Society
Founded in 1854, the Newport Historical Society is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the rich history of Newport County. Our six treasured properties and extensive collections, featuring manuscripts, decorative arts, and photographs, span five centuries. We engage the community and make history more accessible through tours, educational programs, a museum, and a library. Join us in exploring and learning about our shared heritage, supported by a passionate team of historians and volunteers. Learn more at www.NewportHistory.org.
Watch the NPS award video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/DTf5okidRBY