The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation: Setting Sail with an Educational Experience Unlike Any Other

Anchored in the Christina River, near the Fort Christina National Historic Landmark, rests the Kalmar Nyckel, awaiting its next passengers. The 141ft-long Tall Ship of Delaware is an accurate, full-scale replica of the original transatlantic traverser, and may just be one of the most unique classrooms around.

After a tumultuous two-month journey, the tall-ship Kalmar Nyckel first sailed into the Delaware Bay in March of 1638. Those onboard would establish Fort Christina, named for Queen Christina of Sweden, and found the colony of Nya Sverige, or New Sweden. Today, the city of Wilmington stands in the colony’s place, along with a more direct reminder of the region’s colonial past.

“Our official mission is to preserve and promote the cultural and maritime heritage of Delaware and the Delaware Valley for the education and enrichment of all. But if I had to pick one word to summarize our mission, it’s education,” says Cathy Parsells, executive director of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, adding, “We’re able to interpret the history of the region and use the ship and its story to teach all sorts of different concepts, like history, geography, navigation, math, physics and economics, and we are reaching students of all ages.”

But the ship isn’t just a wonder to look at, as a significant portion of its annual revenue comes from tickets purchased by those who want to sail the Kalmar Nyckel. Coast Guard certified and operated by a highly trained crew, the Kalmar Nyckel sails from New England to Virginia, making a few stops along the way every year.

Founded in 1989, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation launched the tall ship in 1997 and today conducts experiential “hands on” programming that reaches more than 30,000 people every year via both the ship itself and the Copeland Maritime Center and Museum.

Parsells and team are particularly proud to be continuing a COVID-era program called the Flagship Field Trip Fund, where charter and public school students in Delaware can come and visit the Kalmar Nyckel for free. “Because it was so successful, we’ve continued it, but we rely on donors to support it. Schools have this need, even post pandemic, since there’s not a lot of funding out there for field trips. To be able to remove this burden [on the schools] has been very significant.”

While there are paid staff members, volunteers are an equally essential part of the Kalmar Nyckel team. Those who have volunteered over 10,000 hours can literally become a part of the ship, earning a carving of their likeness on the ship’s hull.

Looking ahead, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation has unveiled some exciting plans. “We’re developing a plan to create a compelling visitor destination linking our building, our campus and Fort Christina Park. This location marks where the ship landed originally and was a station in the Underground Railroad. We’re working with the state, which will improve the Wilmington riverfront overall and create more of a destination not only for Delaware, but for the region,” says Parsells.

Donor support is the essential thread that weaves together the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s past, present and future. For a nonprofit that garners a large portion of their yearly funding from summertime sailing ticket sales, the unpredictability of climate change can significantly impact their income and thus the programming they’re able to offer. “Unrestricted giving is critical for the overall operations for the Kalmar Nyckel,” says Amy Bielicki, Director of Development for the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. “Without that support, we wouldn’t be able to reach as many people as we do in the region.”

Support from donors giving through DAF accounts is increasingly valuable for the nonprofit. “Philanthropic funds, including donor advised funds, have a tremendous impact on being able to fulfill the educational mission of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation,” says Bielicki, adding, “We’re very grateful for the partnership and we really value the support of our donors.”