Herb's interest in maritime history and wooden boat sailing began early, having been raised on Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay and Boston's North Shore. As a youth, he served as a seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marine. In addition to his financial gift, Herb collects museum-quality ship models, some of which may be displayed in the new facility.
The Weissblum gift served as a catalyst for other major gifts now being pledged in support of the recent announcement that NWMC will go out to bid for the first of the two new facilities, the Maritime Heritage & Resource center.
