Join SSHSA

Interested In Ship History or Maritime Heritage?
Join the Steamship Historical Society of America.

During the 19^th century, the age of sail began to give way to the steam engine – and to a new form of navigation that forever changed travel and commerce on the world’s oceans and waterways. 

The use of the steam engine transformed all aspects of domestic and international relations.  Faster transportation gave way to increased global and domestic trade and commerce.  Travel aboard engine-powered passenger liners was luxurious and recreational for some, and a passage to a new life for others. Crew responsibilities aboard vessels changed as steam, petroleum, and later nuclear power warranted special training, and sailors and soldiers witnessed naval warfare unseen in previous centuries.

In 1935 seven steamship historians and collectors formed the Steamship Historical Society of America and began a dialogue that became the mission of SSHSA in the following years – to record, preserve, and share this history of engine-powered vessels, their legendary passengers, and hardworking crews.  Click here to read more about SSHSA's founders.

Today SSHSA stewards a collection of hundreds of thousands of images, artifacts, periodicals, artwork, official records, memorabilia, and ephemera archived in more than 100 collections and devoted exclusively to the history of engine-powered vessels.  SSHSA also publishes the quarterly magazine PowerShips and has taken on the role of conservationist through our digital conservation project, the Image Porthole.

Our members include maritime collectors and artists, current and former crew members, historians and students, genealogists, scuba divers, cruise travelers, ship engineers and architects, and maritime history enthusiasts.

SSHSA holds non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt status and remains the oldest and largest organization of its kind in the world.  Join our thousands of members who prize their membership in the Steamship Historical Society of America.  We invite you to come aboard!

Click to join SSHSA!

As A Member You'll Enjoy Benefits Including...

• The official SSHSA electronic newsletters, The Telegraph and AHOY! and the flagship quarterly magazine— PowerShips. This prestigious, full color print publication isn't just another maritime history magazine ...it is the ship history magazine.

• Access to special features in the 60,000-image Image Porthole, and in the 'Members Only' area of SSHSA's website.
• Discounts on photos, research services, and items in our Ship Store.
• Members enjoy special events and programs at the SSHSA regional and national conferences and meetings throughout the year.
• Opportunity to network with peers and meet new friends at SSHSA's local and affiliated chapters. Chapter meetings feature unique ship-related programs.
• SSHSA's Passenger Partner Program and Museum Admission Incentive Program enable members to show their membership card and receive special discounts onboard excursion vessels and at maritime museums.

Special Offers

Special Offer To Existing SSHSA Members: Upgrade to the $100 level to receive a complimentary subscription to American Heritage magazine, and a CAMM Card giving you free admission to over 80 participating maritime museums. Contact Diana Sheil Moraco at dsheil@sshsa.org to upgrade your membership.

Download membership application
Membership benefits and programs

Pictured above: Passengers boarding the MV Nelseco II at Block Island for trip to Newport and Providence, RI on August 25, 1956. From the SSHSA Image Porthole.