Sailing Toward 2026: Preparing for America 250 and Gazela 125

Big things are ahead for the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild. For the first time in years, Gazela is poised to take the stage, not only in Philadelphia but also in the Chesapeake. In 2026, she’ll celebrate 125 years afloat, and at the same time we’ve been invited to sail in the America 250th celebrations in Alexandria, Portsmouth, and Baltimore. With more than six weeks of voyaging, this will be her longest journey in nearly a decade, and a chance to show thousands of people the living history she represents.

We’ve also been building momentum here at home. With a revitalized volunteer crew and a core of dedicated staff, the Guild has launched our Trades Pre-Apprentice Program, strengthened training for our sailors, and restored energy to the waterfront. The year ahead promises to be the most ambitious and the most rewarding we’ve seen in decades.

What Needs to Be Done

Caring for a 125-year-old wooden ship is no small task. Every season, rot and weather bring new battles to fight. This winter, Gazela will need close to a dozen planks replaced, sections of her rail rebuilt, and work on her rig. A rot pocket forced us to condemn the mizzen boom this spring, and recently discovered decay in the main mast likely means replacement.

Thanks to the support of Gerace Enterprise and Commerce Construction, Gazela will shift to their Chester pier in November, where we’ll unship her spars for inspection and servicing. If we can raise the funding, we hope to complete a full x-ray survey of all spars to guard against future surprises. By spring, she must be fully re-rigged, painted, and ready for her Chesapeake voyage.

And that’s not all: while in the region, we’ll take her to Colonna’s Shipyard in Norfolk for her first haulout since 2015, with festival appearance fees helping cover the expense. It’s a tight schedule but the work is essential.

What It Will Take

Yes, it’s a lot. But we’ve never been better positioned to succeed. With $110,000 already raised toward our $300,000 goal, we are well on the way, but we need our full community behind us.

Here’s how you can help:

• Donate or Sponsor: Your financial support directly fuels the work ahead. Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies that want to align their name with our mission and be seen by tens of thousands of festival-goers next summer.

Become a Sponsor

• Volunteer: This fall we’ll welcome a full-time Vessel Manager, ensuring the ship is open for work 5 - 6 days a week. Whether you want to sharpen woodworking or rigging skills, or prefer to help indoors with fundraising, research, or outreach, there’s a place for you.

Volunteer with Us

• Spread the Word: Every share, introduction, and conversation helps us find the partners and resources needed to keep Gazela sailing.

  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  

Together, We Can Do This

Preparing Gazela for her 125th year and the America 250 is not a job for a handful of people, it’s a challenge for an entire community. Over the next 10 months, it will take our entire community working side by side, to ensure she’s ready to sail proudly into her next 125 years.

With your support, we can rise to the challenge and ensure she continues to inspire, educate, and sail for generations to come.