“Houston’s roots along Buffalo Bayou anchor Texas’s strong global maritime ties. Gulf Coast maritime commerce drives economic growth and opportunity, and the Houston Maritime Center & Museum serves as a trusted resource and educational bridge between the maritime industry and the public,” said Sara Howell, Board Chair.
CLICK HERE to view the gallery of photos from our gala!
HOUSTON, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — After 25 years of preserving and celebrating maritime history, the Houston Maritime Center & Museum is preparing to open the doors to its brand-new home along Buffalo Bayou East River Development. With sweeping views of downtown and proximity to The Buffalo Bayou Partnership‘s new Hike and Bike trail extension, the new location represents an exciting next chapter for the organization.
To mark this milestone, the museum hosted its Grand Reopening Gala at Le Tesserae on June 18, welcoming over 300 of its dedicated donors and partners including honored guests: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Councilwoman Sallie and George Alcorn, Kelly Waterman (representing Senator Ted Cruz), Jay Guerrero (representing Senator John Cornyn), Judge Ed Emmett, Tom Tellepsen and Howard Tellepsen (Tellepsen) Brad and Claudia Freels (Midway), Charlie and Kelly Jenkins and John Moseley (Port Houston), Captain Clint and Stephany Winegar, J.J. and Lori Plunkett and Captain Matt Glass (Houston Pilots), Brad and Sara Howell, Frances Castaneda Dyess and John Dyess (East End Chamber of Commerce), Vincent and Francine DiCosimo (Targa), Greg and Mona DeLong (Enterprise Products), Philip and Joy Kuebler (Bay-Houston Towing), Kirk Jackson (Suderman & Young Towing), Johnny and Sydney Sullivan (Callan Marine), Jason and Jennifer Smith (Chevron Shipping), Yasuhiro Suzuka (MOL), Ed Carr (Retired MOL Group), Captain Bill and Annette Diehl, Derrick and Cherina Thomas (Fillette-Green), Shareen Larmond (WGMA), Jim and Rhonda Dillman (Enstructure), Ruthie Porterfield, Dick Gessinger, Maria Ciliberti (Vopak), Brian and Maria Posthumus, Marco and Joyce Poisler (UTC Overseas), Jan Hagen Anderson (DNV), Roy Bleiberg (ABS), Captain Peter Liew (AET), Trey Taylor (Matthews Brothers Dredging), Pat and Pam Cooney, Niels and Charlotte Aulund, Robert and Jo Ann Fry, Mike Dumas, Peter Fitzpatrick, Bob and Joyce Diamond, and Ernie Manouse (PBS/NPR).
It was a memorable evening of celebration, connection, and a first look at the new space—highlighted by the announcement of our new President, Margaret Kidd. The event marked the culmination of over two years of planning and construction, made possible by $1.5 million in capital campaign contributions and the dedication of the Board of Directors, led by Chair Sara Howell, and the museum team now under Kidd’s leadership.
