Gift of History

Sad news indeed.

We are very sad to share this heartbreaking news.

Dear Ocean Institute Family,

As we have shared in our previous communications, this has been a devastating month for Ocean Institute.

Today, we share news that hurts our hearts.

We are very sad to announce that Pilgrim, our beloved vessel that has served as an inspiring real-world classroom to hundreds of thousands of students and visitors, keeled overnight in her slip on our dock, rendering her useful life over.

As part of our maintenance process, Pilgrim undergoes out-of-the water and underwater inspections. In 2016 she was hauled out for survey and repairs and in October 2019, we began a fund to support the haul out and repair scheduled to take place in January 2020. The haul out was postponed until June due to overload at the yard. Meanwhile, Ocean Institute maintained our certifications and the United States Coast Guard issued a Certificate of Inspection (COI) in December and again in February, allowing our dockside programs to continue. Unfortunately, Pilgrim keeled on March 29th and is incapacitated beyond repair.

We are sad to bid farewell to this iconic vessel which has been such an important part of Ocean Institute’s programs and to the children that they served.

Our staff was informed this morning and we all feel like we lost a dear friend, as I am sure many of you do.

We will keep you posted and welcome your stories, images, etc., on how the Pilgrim has made an impact on you. Send to [email protected] or – please.

As previously communicated, Ocean Institute has been dealt very difficult blows this month (https://youtu.be/9F_xl3bM3Jg) and your stories, encouragement, and support keeps us going and lifts our spirits during this devastating time.

Dream team. 👍😂

Guess what I’m going to learn more about today? Orange County Water District

The Tree/Stump Remover That Broke the Groves Weldon Field yanks a tree out of the ground – roots and all. (County of Orange photo) Along with the Post Brothers plow and the Carroll ...

What's That? Prominent "living history" actors will be joining us to bring Orange County history to life for our third-graders! - https://mailchi.mp/c9aa177b8f65/im-back-and-im-excited-about-1716825

Over the next few months, we will be working on producing a series of video lessons that teachers can use in the classroom. Starring Chris & Katie from “Nothing Rhymes with Orange,” we will be taking Orange County’s third-graders on a unique journey through local history.

Hey all you History fans! It’s going to be a landmark year for . Lots of changes. We’re talking new leadership. We’re talking student leadership. We’re talking about a great new program in the works for our students and teachers across the whole county. It’s going to be big. It’s going to be Legen... wait for it... dary!

Get ready! I know we’ve gone dark for a bit, but Gift of History is coming back and we are starting video production! With production meeting time...

After plenty of hard work and packing, we’ve got lots of GIFTS of HISTORY going out to our teachers this week!

We got our books delivered from Tesoro Publishing and we need to pack them up for our teachers! If anyone gets a baby in their box instead of History books........ good luck? 😂😂😂
Thanks Anaheim Public Utilities for lending us your space for the weekend!

Packing special deliveries for OC third-graders. Thank You BOS Chairman Do and Visit Anaheim for supporting the Gift if History. The students are going to be so excited for the books and book-bags!