Highlighted by charts, photo albums, publications, boat fittings and logbooks documenting the extensive world-wide voyages of Aloha I, Aloha II, and Coronet, the Library’s Arthur Curtiss James Collection is extensive.
Perhaps because of his local connection and stand-out yachting achievements throughout the Gilded Age, Arthur Curtiss James continues to be “Newportant.” The James family legacy is in plain sight throughout Newport if you know where to look.
Surprise Valley, a miniature “Swiss Village” created for his wife Harriet as a wedding gift and her recently restored Blue Garden can both be visited by appointment. The James’ Boat House (on private property) can be spied from the waters of Brenton Cove.
Until 2023 his grandest yacht, Coronet was tucked away in a specially built shed on the IYRS campus where her epic restoration began. In 2023 she was transfered to the Mystic Seaport Museum where work on the massive vessel continues.
The Library has numerous items from the ACJ Collection on display. Among them are an original deck bucket from the yacht Aloha and belaying pins from both Aloha I and Aloha II. Go “below decks” onboard Coronet while viewing the intricately detailed large-scale model and the original accomodations plan recreated at IYRS, both on display in the Library. Numerous photo albums, books and other publications are also available for viewing to round out your day sail through the IYRS Maritime Library Stacks with Arthur Curtiss James. A few of the items in this collection are in the gallery below; click any thumbnail to view at larger size.
