A Special Thank You
Maintenance funding is covered in part from a grant through the Gordon Chandler Memorial Fund of The Columbus Foundation.

THE WORLD WAS FOREVER CHANGED when, in 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail searching for a direct trade route to the Indies. Carrying him was the Santa Maria, a 98-foot wooden "nao", or typical cargo ship.

More than 500 years later, you can tour the world's most authentic, museum-quality replica of Christopher Columbus' flagship. Guided tours dramatize the daring and determination it took for these explorers to set out on their mission. Fascinating displays show the far-ranging impact of the encounter of two worlds that existed in 1492.

HELP KEEP THE SANTA MARIA SHIP/MUSEUM AFLOAT!
Because of the recession, our major grant funder will not be able to guarantee grant money for us next year. The Santa Maria is able to pay its seasonal staff and programming from revenue obtained thru general admission tours, rentals, overnight in-depth educational programs and diversity events but we depend on grant money for additional operations, ship maintenance and supplies. We are asking your help to keep us afloat until we are able to secure another grant(s).

Our ask is twofold:
1) Send us a minimum of $5.00:
Checks made out to Columbus Santa Maria Inc., 1111 East Broad Street LL, Columbus, OH 43205 or call the ship during normal business hours, Wednesday thru Friday from 10-3 PM, Saturday and Sunday from noon-5pm. We can do a Visa or MasterCard transaction over the phone or you can fill out the donation form here on the Web site.

2) Forward this in an email to everyone you know. If you know of someone who might have an interest in the Santa Maria, ships, in history or education, and they do not have email, please send me their address (ljketcham@aol.com) and I will mail them this letter.

Thank you for your help during this difficult time.


Sincerely,
Linda Ketcham
Executive Director
Columbus Santa Maria Inc.
Office 614.645.8760
Ship 614.645.0351

ALL HANDS ON DECK!
Adult and teen volunteers are needed. For a fun, educational experience, the Santa Maria is looking for tours guides, special event volunteers, carpenters, and maintenance people. Volunteer application available in Adobe PDF Format.

INVISIBILITY? - YES!
The Santa Maria Seeds of Change Visitor Education Center is now the home of the world's first multimedia exhibit on successful invisibility research, featuring the Santa Maria herself!

The Santa Maria Experiment exhibit is the first display to feature actual successful research in optical invisibility. The exhibit combines history from two different epochs to prove a scientific theory of how objects can be made invisible through the bending of light.

There's no doubt that the subject of invisibility has captured the public's imagination. That makes seeing the Santa Maria Experiment exhibit a must! Find out more at the official web site.

CHILDREN'S PIRATE BIRTHDAY PARTY!
The Santa Maria pirate party is an absolute one-of-a-kind birthday experience that no child will ever forget. Complete with games, a tour of the ship, pirate hats, goody bags, cake and punch, this one and a half hour children's party is an incredible bargain at just $295.00 for up to 20 guests.

Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Each additional child is $15. Call 614.645.8760 for more information and to reserve your birthday date...TODAY!

IN MEMORIUM TO TOM "THE COLONEL" CARTER!
On Tuesday April 8, 2008, one of our most active volunteers, Tom ("The colonel") Carter, passed away. Continuing his generosity, he requested that donations be made to the Columbus Santa Maria in his name. Donations can be made to Columbus Santa Maria Inc. 1111 E. Broad Street Lower Level, Columbus, OH 43205 or by clicking here.