The ELISSA, a nearly 150-year-old Texas landmark, will return to Galveston after a three-month voyage along the U.S. East Coast as part of the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations. The ship is scheduled to arrive at Galveston’s Pier 21 on Saturday, August 15, with the public invited to a free homecoming gathering from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Historic Voyage

The ELISSA made stops in Pensacola, Savannah, New York City, and Boston during the voyage, with the original itinerary also including port calls in Yorktown and Portsmouth, Virginia. The voyage was particularly significant because ELISSA is not a replica, but a National Historic Landmark and the Official Tall Ship of Texas.

The Galveston Historical Foundation says it is one of only three pre-20th-century sailing vessels in the world restored to full sailing capacity. The ship also has a previous connection to major national celebrations, having participated in New York’s 1986 celebration commemorating the centennial of the Statue of Liberty.

Return to Galveston

The ship’s return follows a three-month voyage planned as part of Galveston 250. The Galveston Historical Foundation describes the expedition as a 6,000-nautical-mile journey that included multiple port stops and appearances during the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations.

The public homecoming will take place at Pier 21, 2100 Harborside Drive, in Galveston. The foundation’s volunteer page lists the homecoming watch party for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, with activities planned around the ship’s arrival.

Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.