Steamship Historical Society of America

Who We Are

Our mission at the Steamship Historical Society of America is... Through recording, preserving, and educating, it is our mission to share the impact of engine-powered vessels, their crews, and their passengers with future generations. 

In 1935 a group of historians and collectors passionate about steamships formed the Steamship Historical Society of America as a means of bringing together amateur and professional historians interested in the history and development of steam navigation, past and present. Their knowledge, as well as photographs, research and writings, formed the nucleus of the society’s collections. Learn more about our founders here.

Today our collections comprise hundreds of thousands of images, artifacts, ephemera, memorabilia, and artwork, as well as a maritime reference library. At the Ship History Center in Warwick, RI, visitors and members alike can peruse ship models, view collections or conduct research.

Our diverse membership include maritime collectors and artists, navy and merchant mariners, historians, students, genealogists, ship engineers and architects, and maritime history enthusiasts. Our quarterly magazine PowerShips reflects this broad range of topics, with articles on the history of ships and shipping, as well as current news in the industry. See our Values Statement.

Staff

Executive Director: Matthew Schulte, Email: mschulte@sshsa.org
Archivist: Astrid Drew, Email: adrew@sshsa.org
Membership and Outreach: Bryan Lucier, Email: blucier@sshsa.org
Education Director: Aimee Bachari, Email: steam@sshsa.org

One way our members stay connected is through local chapters. Please see the listing below, and consider joining your local chapter today!

Delaware Valley Chapter Contact: Steve Loveless, Chairman Email: slloveless1959@gmail.com

Golden Gate Chapter Contact: Norman Freitag, President Email: njfreitag@mail.com

Southern California Chapter Contact: Bruce Vancil, Chairman Email: steamer@pacbell.net

Southern New England Chapter Contact: Barry Eager, Chairman Email: bweager@yahoo.com

SSHSA holds non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt status and remains the oldest and largest organization of its kind in the world. SSHSA is a vital source and authority of the nautical and maritime history of engine-powered vessels, from the earliest steam-powered ships to modern ocean liners.