Galveston 250

05/24/2026

Whether you’re welcoming guests to the island or making memories with family and friends, Memorial Day is the perfect time to connect with Galveston’s stories and places that have stood the test of time. Our sites and exhibits are ready for you all weekend long!

⚓ Explore the decks of the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA
⛵ Experience Galveston's Historic Harbor Tours aboard SEAGULL II
🏰 Tour the stunning Victorian masterpiece, the 1892 Bishop's Palace

Please note: The Galveston Historic Seaport : Home of the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa will be open for deck tours only on Memorial Day. Meet the crew and view firsthand all the preparations being finalized for our Galveston 250 voyage!

Plan your visit and celebrate the holiday with Galveston Historical Foundation. Details at galvestonhistory.org!

05/22/2026

The 1877 ELISSA’s much-anticipated departure from the Galveston Historic Seaport has shifted to June 10. This additional time is needed to ensure equipment and crew are prepared for a safe journey with the almost 150-year-old National Historic Landmark. We remain excited for this voyage and look forward to sailing to New York for the America 250 celebration, along with planned stops in Boston, Savannah, and Pensacola on her return. Due to the revised schedule, the previously planned stops in Yorktown and Portsmouth will no longer be included in the itinerary. Visit galveston250.com for the latest appearance dates, times, and events.

05/18/2026

Friday night was one for the history books as we kicked off our Galveston 250 voyage at the Galveston Historic Seaport. Cheers to everyone for selling out the night.

Thanks to Fisherman's Wharf for the food, Rambler / Saint Arnold Brewing Company / Come and Drink It Texas for the drinks, Kevin Anthony & G-Town for the music, and the crew, staff, sponsors, supporters, and friends for the support. There was a ship full of ELISSA pride on hand, and we're going to sail with that same spirit all summer long.

05/16/2026

Another milestone reached towards our Galveston 250 voyage! Ryan Bradfield, Director of our Galveston Historic Seaport, proudly shows off ELISSA's Certificate of Inspection from the United States Coast Guard. The COI is a thorough and comprehensive vessel evaluation conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard. This is a critical step towards our upcoming voyage.

The next week has more work and final preparations to complete before our departure, tentatively moved to Memorial Day. We will provide more updates as we finalize the details. These last steps do require us to shift our first two port stops of Pensacola and Savannah, which will see us visit those locations in late July and early August.

For those looking for a sneak peek of the ship under sail, we'll be making a Seawall sail today with arrival near the Pleasure Pier around 1:30!

05/14/2026

It's not every day you see our SEAGULL II and 1877 ELISSA together! The Official Tall Ship of Texas will be sailing frequently over the upcoming days as we finalize US Coast Guard inspections and get our crew on board for sea trials in preparation for Galveston 250.

Want to get a sneak peek at the ship and all the hard work we've been putting in? Stop by the Seaport tonight at 6 for our monthly Smarty Pints Trivia Night! Gates open at 6, trivia at 6:30 at the Galveston Historic Seaport : Home of the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa.

05/13/2026

Thanks to Houston Life for having us on to talk up Galveston 250 and the Galveston Historic Seaport : Home of the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa!

Galveston Historical Foundation's Denise Alexander made the voyage to Houston to sit down and talk about all things sailing.

The legendary 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA is setting sail on a historic journey from Galveston to New York Harbor for Sail 250, the international celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary. As the Official Tall Ship of Texas, ELISSA will join the world’s largest gathering of tall ships and milita...

05/12/2026

Exclusive Galveston 250 merchandise has officially dropped, and they're ready to sail into history. Every item is designed to honor 250 years of Galveston’s spirit, maritime heritage, and enduring adventures on the Official Tall Ship of Texas. Whether you’re a lifelong islander, history enthusiast, or just along for the voyage, this collection is your chance to carry a piece of the celebration with you.

Learn more and get yours today (while supporting our 2026 voyage) at https://galveston250.com/news/support-our-voyage/!

05/10/2026

Plenty of new that needs to be a part of an old ship, and preparations for departure aren't just about the exterior. We've got a new galley on board, which required a new oven (brought on board with 19th-century methods!). Cleaning supplies are always a must, as are new mattresses for the crew.

We're gone for a few months on this voyage, and every bit of work is going into making sure our crew and officers are ready for the days ahead. Want to see how you can help? Head to https://galveston250.com/news/support-our-voyage to sponsor items, buy merchandise, or make a donation. Every single bit of it helps us make this incredible opportunity that much more finalized!

05/09/2026

With less than a week to go to our Galveston 250 voyage kick-off party, we're hard at work crafting a night that honors the spirit of the 1877 ELISSA while having a Texas-sized good time. Head over to https://galveston250.com/news/galveston-island-tx-5-15 to snag some tickets while you can and help us make sure the Official Tall Ship of Texas misses its home port while she's gone this summer.

Music by Kevin Anthony & G-Town
Craft beer by Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Food by Fisherman's Wharf
Wine & Spirits by Come and Drink It Texas
Sparkling Water by Rambler

Friday, May 15 - 7-9 PM at the Galveston Historic Seaport : Home of the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa. It's going to be the kind of party that we'll be talking about for a while. See you there.

05/09/2026

Visit Yorktown is one of our six stops this summer and one of a few historic ports ELISSA has yet to visit. We're checking that one off our list with a debut in Virginia and a weekend of sailing, tours, and parties.

What do we need to see while we're there? We're taking all food, drink, and fun recommendations!

Also, if anyone wants to come sail or come to a special on-board party... We'll be ready for you! https://galveston250.com/ports/yorktown-virginia/.