Month: February 2015

Mystic, Conn. (February 11, 2015) – Mystic Seaport has promoted Elysa Engelman to be the Museum’s new Director of Exhibits.

Engelman will be responsible for creating and delivering an ongoing program of dynamic, interdisciplinary exhibits that attract diverse audiences and introduce new scholarship and content in support of the Museum’s mission and strategic vision. She will direct all aspects of exhibit design and production.

“Elysa Engelman takes on this position at an exciting time for the Museum, and we are very pleased that her exceptional creative, innovative, and academic expertise will play an important role in maximizing the potential of the new Gallery Quad,” said Susan Funk, executive vice president of Mystic Seaport.

Engelman assumes the directorship after 10 years as Exhibit Researcher/Developer for the Museum, where she has contributed to the creation of numerous exhibits, including “Women and the Sea,” “TUGS!,” “Black Hands, Blue Seas,” and the upcoming “Voyaging in the Wake of the Whalers” due to open this June. She was also intimately involved in the programming of the 38th Voyage of the Charles W. Morgan last summer.

She holds an undergraduate degree in English and Theater Studies from Yale University and a Ph.D. from Boston University in American and New England Studies.  Engelman has also been a guest lecturer at the Williams-Mystic Program at Mystic Seaport and an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut.

Engelman is a resident of East Greenwich, RI where she lives with her husband and family.

This promotion is effective Monday, March 2.

About Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial ship and the last wooden whaleship in the world. Mystic Seaport is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $25 for adults and $16 for children ages 6-17. Museum members and children 5 and younger are admitted free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/ and follow Mystic Seaport on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Museum Reopens to Visitors with Free Admission for Children February 14-22

Mystic, Conn. (February 5, 2015) – Mystic Seaport celebrates its reopening on Presidents Day Weekend with Winter’s Aweigh beginning Saturday, February 14. Children ages 17 and under will be admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

A special feature this year is the reproduction ship Mayflower II, which is being restored in the Museum’s Shipyard. Visitors can view the ship and go on board and imagine what it was like for the Pilgrims to cross the Atlantic in 1620.

Visitors can also explore the Museum’s 19th-century seafaring village, historic vessels, and maritime exhibits, and take in a Planetarium show.

Special children’s activities include arts and craft projects, building an igloo out of recycled milk jugs, storytelling, songs and musical activities, and outdoor games. Children are invited to build a toy boat keepsake, stop by the Children’s Museum for story time, explore a sea chest, and get a kids’-eye view of the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan.

Winter working dogs will be on hand for demonstrations during the weekend. Newfoundlands will visit Saturday, February 14; St. Bernards will be on grounds Sunday, February 15; and Malamutes will visit Monday, February 16. The dogs will be on hand between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The children’s free admission offer at Mystic Seaport continues all week and is valid February 14-22. The offer is not transferable and no other discounts apply. The Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

For more information on hours and ticketing, please visit mysticseaport.org/visit.

Image for Download: Mayflower II in the Mystic Seaport Shipyard. Credit: Andy Price/Mystic Seaport

About Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial ship and the last wooden whaleship in the world. Mystic Seaport is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-17. Museum members and children 5 and younger are admitted free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/ and follow Mystic Seaport on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.