Located in the historic port of Galveston, the Texas Seaport Museum also tells the story of a rich legacy of seaborne commerce and immigration. Look for ancestors with a one-of-a-kind computer database containing the names of more than 133,000 immigrants who entered the United States through Galveston, “The Ellis Island of the West”. Join the Museum’s staff and volunteers as they bring the past to life through special exhibits and educational programs.

About Elissa:
Elissa is a three-masted, iron-hulled sailing ship built in 1877 in Aberdeen, Scotland by Alexander Hall & Company. She carries nineteen sails covering over one-quarter of an acre in surface area. Tall ships are classified by the configuration of their sailing rig. In ELISSA’s case, she is a ‘barque’ because she carries square and fore-and-aft sails on her fore and mainmasts, but only fore-and-aft sails on her mizzenmast. From her stern to the tip of her jibboom she measures 205 feet. Her height is 99 feet, 9 inches at the main mast and she displaces about 620 tons at her current ballast.

Ongoing Exhibits and Films:
Gold from the Gulf, showcasing the shrimp industry in the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay, on exhibit at the Texas Seaport Museum. The exhibit features the history, ecology and legacy of shrimping in the Gulf of Mexico, but the jewel of the exhibit will be the 1937 shrimp boat Santa Maria, one of the few remaining original mosquito boats in Galveston Bay.

Film: Passage to Galveston: The Story of ELISSA, presented every day on the hour and half-hour, at the theater in the Texas Seaport Museum. This 17-minute, award-winning documentary beautifully tells the story of Elissa's discovery, purchase and restoration. Entrance to the film is included in the museum admission price.

Admission
Adults: $8
Students: $6
Children 6 & Under: Free
Family: $22.50

Rental Information
With moonlight silhouetting the masts of the 1877 tall ship Elissa, Texas Seaport Museum provides a romantic, outdoor setting for weddings and receptions. The location on Galveston’s historic waterfront also offers a picturesque site for a variety of business and social functions.

Galveston Historical Foundation's properties offer unique and affordable locations for your party, wedding, luncheon, dinner or business meeting. For reservation information, call (409)763-1877. Or to have a brochure sent to you, please send an email to elissa@galvestonhistory.org.

Galveston.com Visitor Ratings & Reviews RATE AND REVIEW BY CLICKING HERE

Rating Rated by Date Review Sarah 11/11/2008 10:09:00 AM I love the ELISSA. My wedding was held on board in May 2008. I can't imagine a better place. It was breathtaking. The staff was friendly and very helpful in preparation and during the event. stacy 10/7/2008 10:47:00 PM I visited the TSM and Elissa this past june 2008 and I loved the ship Elissa very well preserved. Everyone was very well informed about the history of Galvenston itself. I would higly recommend. One thing that did however disgust me is a very very rude woman working in the TSM gift shop were i purchased the tickets she was in her twenties with long dark brown hair , she was very rude to my grandmother and was insulting to us all. I think this person needs to learn respect and be handed a pink slip. If you avoid very rude woman you should have a great time in a great little museum. William 9/30/2008 8:11:00 AM My family and I visit the TSM and the Elissa atleast once a year, the museum staff are very friendly aand informative about the museum and the ship, you'll find that its a great place to take the family. Karen 8/24/2008 1:28:00 PM Simply love this place!! Very strong support in knowledge about the history of the ship and the island!

Hours of Operation
Temporary Hours:
Saturdays & Sundays: 10am - 5pm

Note: Hours may be seasonal and subject to change.

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