Photography by Lucia Smith

Community leaders and guests recently gathered on the Old Town Alexandria waterfront to celebrate the grand opening of the Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center, the new home of the Tall Ship Providence Foundation.

The Providence, a replica of the first naval warship commissioned by the Continental Congress in 1775, gives guests an opportunity to step back through time. Dockside tours, sunset sails and specialty tours are all available for booking at www.tallshipprovidence.org.