Art Exhibit Features Racing Yachts on the Hudson -- by the Half Moon Press

October, 2000 issue

Art Exhibit Features Racing Yachts on the Hudson "Capture the Wind: Racing Yachts & Westchester," on view from September 8 through January 15, traces the development of yacht racing on Long Island Sound and the Hudson River through paintings, photographs and models as well as chromolithographs by Prang, Currier & Ives and others.

The exhibit, at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, highlights the aesthetic beauty of these boats that were designed for speed racing. It profiles some of the famous yachts that sailed in this region in addition to the yachts' designers, builders and sailors.

The boats span the sports' classic era, from New York Yacht Club schooner, America, whose 1851 win of the "100 Guinea Cup," sparked a furor of interest in the New York area, to the great J-boat Ranger, the 1937 America's Cup winner co-designed by Larchmont member Olin Stephens.

Other boats profiled include: Gilded Age millionaire Jay Gould's steam yacht Atalanta, used by him for pleasure and commuting on the Hudson River and the Madeleine, a Schooner Cup winner built by David Kirby of Rye.

"Capture the Wind: Racing Yachts & Westchester" was organized by Laura Vookles, Museum Curator of Collections, and Barbara Davis, Museum Curator of Public Programs. It is on view in the Lifflander Gallery, located on the second floor of Glenview Mansion.

Museum hours are Wednesday - Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.; Friday, noon - 9 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and children age 12 and younger. For more information call 914-963-4550.