On Friday, Feb. 25th, the Board of Directors of the Seamen's Church Institute announced it would name the library of the Institute's building on Market Square after long time supporter and sailing luminary Henry H. "Harry" Anderson Jr. It will be known as the Henry H. Anderson, Jr. Library for Mariners and will provide a comfortable setting for mariners where they can read books and periodicals on marine topics and gain access to the Internet through computer stations and WiFi.

Citing his many years of service to the Seamen's Church Institute and a host of other maritime institutions in Newport and across the world, President of the Board of Trustees, Richard Grosvenor, said the Board voted unanimously to recognize its fellow member Anderson.

"Harry has given an enormous amount of time to many organizations, including theSeamen's Church Institute," Grosvenor said. "He is a fixture in the sailing community, where he is internationally known and respected. He epitomizes so many of the best attributes of people who are tied to the sea. I can't imagine a more deserving individual for this honor."

Anderson has spent 70 years racing, organizing and volunteering in the sailing community. He sailed at his alma mater, Yale University, and later served in the Army in World War II. He tried out for the 1960 Olympics in the Finn class. He has raced his own boats to numerous awards and was involved with America' Cup races from 1958 until just recently, serving as head of the Race Committee.

He was head of the United States Yacht Racing Union, the predecessor to US Sailing. Anderson came to Newport in the 1970's and has remained here since. He is involved with the American Sail Training Association and the Museum of Yachting, is a former commodore of the New York and Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Clubs, and was vice president of the International Yacht Racing Union.

Currently, Anderson is spearheading the Seamen's Church Institute's capital campaign, which hopes to raise $2.5 million for improvements to the Institute's building as well as an endowment for future maintenance. The campaign has already netted $800,000 and Phase I renovations have recently been completed.

The Institute formally unveiled the Henry H. Anderson, Jr. Library for Mariners on May 13th with a ceremony and plaque dedication. We welcome mariners and the community at large to come and experience this wonderful new addition to the Seamen's Church Institute's facility.