A series of activities are scheduled to celebrate the arrival of the schooner Jeanie B at Washington, its new homeport.

The celebration takes place next week. The 72-foot-long vessel is slated to arrive Wednesday afternoon. That evening, Lee Sutton, the schooner’s owner, will deliver a lecture,  “Equinox, Solstice, Hallmark and Hershey: A talk on astronomical events and how they merge with our lives,” at 7 p.m. at the N.C. Estuarium. Free tours of the vessel will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 22-23. There is a $2 program fee per person. To make a reservation, call 948-0000.

On March 24, the schooner will provide free sailing excursions from the Washington waterfront.

Jeanie B is used to teach celestial navigation. Its arrival in Washington, which coincides with the Vernal Equinox on March 21, couples that teaching to her new home.

The Washington Harbor District Alliance helped to formulate the new partnership between the City of Washington and Jeanie B’s owner. This partnership creates a relationship that couples the vibrant waterfront in Washington with the educational and family sailings of the vessel. Jeanie B will reconnect the rich history of Washington’s past, which was active with tall ships with the present when it arrives Wednesday.

Jeanie B is a traditional sailing vessel that sails with Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer clients during the summer months and Boy Scouts of America and its Pamlico Sea Base during the spring and fall months. Jeanie B teaches principles of sailing, ship handling and traditional navigation, including using the stars. Team building and character building are other benefits the campers, Scouts and students experience living aboard the vessel as they travel around the Inner Banks of North Carolina, visiting various ports such as Manteo, Ocracoke, Washington and Beaufort.

After this arrival celebration, the schooner will make Washington its permanent home and be available for corporate, family or group sailings throughout the year.

For additional information, please contact the Jeanie B at 804-519-0174 and schoonerjeanieb@gmail.com.