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in Olin's honor
Watch Olin Stephens Simply Brilliant. A video tribute to 100 years of yachting excellence.
Statement from Mystic Seaport Regarding Passing of
Olin J. Stephens II
Olin J. Stephens II became a Trustee of Mystic Seaport in 1967, serving with distinction on the Board for 41 years. During that time, he was an active member of the Watercraft and Yachting and Boating Committees. Mr. Stephens was a staunch advocate of the Museum's watercraft, ships plans, model and photography collections.
"Mystic Seaport joins those mourning the loss of Olin Stephens, and we send condolences to his family.
Over the decades of his tenure as a Trustee of Mystic Seaport, Olin Stephens was a major force in inspiring and guiding Mystic Seaport's efforts in the realm of yachting, yacht racing and yacht design. We were proud to recognize him as the first recipient of our prestigious annual America and the Sea Award in 2006, and honored when he joined us here at the Museum in celebrating his 100th birthday last April.
A major part of his brilliance, which never seemed to dim in the slightest, was a genuine humility and an unselfish desire to share what he knew. You always knew he was delighted with his life in boats, and his boats have lives of their own that will go on delighting all who see them and sail in them for lifetimes yet to come. His work and legacy are a part of Mystic Seaport in many ways, including our sail education programs ongoing since 1952 aboard the 1932 schooner yacht Brilliant, one of his earliest designs and one of the best-preserved examples of his work."
~ Douglas Teeson
Former President and Director of Mystic Seaport