Plying the waters of beautiful Narragansett Bay, the Sloop Providence serves as an innovative educational tool for teachers and offers a life-changing experience for students. The Maritime Heritage Foundation launched "Classroom Under Sail", the mainstay of its educational programming, in 1994 with financial support from the Rhode Island Foundation and the Prince Charitable Trusts. Since then, thousands of students from around Rhode Island have experienced the thrill of setting sail and the chance to "live history."

Students participate in the hands-on activity of sailing a traditional Tall Ship - both in "living history" and through lessons on teamwork, discipline and trust.

As one of America's first and most successful vessels to fight in the Revolutionary War, the Providence provides the perfect setting to engage and educate children about the American Revolution. Educational tie-ins to literature, marine science, geography, physics, algebra, and astronomy are also incorporated into the program.

The Providence, as a floating classroom, offers programs that focus on maritime, cultural and ecological history, as well as the present condition of the area.

The Classroom Under Sail program has served over 4,000 participants from Providence schools. With your support, The Providence Maritime Heritage Foundation hopes to extend the program to students throughout Rhode Island.