Month: March 2016

Mystic Seaport was awarded a grant of $17,500 from The Champlin Foundations in Rhode Island to re-roof the New Shoreham Life-Saving Station. The former red shingle roof had deteriorated from the normal weathering process and its location on the east shore of the Mystic River. The work was performed by Pawcatuck Roofing Co. and retains the building’s historic integrity.

Constructed in 1874, the Station is one of the last survivors of the many Atlantic seaboard stations built to government specifications from Maine to Florida. It was in use for about 16 years in Old Harbor on Block Island, RI. It was acquired by the Museum and relocated here in 1968. Today, the Station houses the Museum’s collection of Life-Saving Service artifacts and interprets the often heroic stories of coastal shipwreck rescues.

The Champlin Foundations typically support organizations in the State of Rhode Island; however, based on Mystic Seaport’s impact on the lives of Rhode Island residents, the Foundations have awarded Mystic Seaport several generous past grants, including support for the Charles W. Morgan Restoration, the Library’s relocation in the Collections Research Center, and the publication of Coastal Schooners of New England.

The beautiful curving architecture of the new Thompson Exhibition Building is shaped by a superstructure of 10 glue-laminated (‘glulam’) ribs. At 105-feet long and rising 26 feet high, these structural ribs are not only functional but they also establish the wooden ship aesthetic that is part of the building’s signature design. The all-wood superstructure is made of multiple layers of Douglas fir, glued together for strength.

Last fall, Mystic Seaport launched Framing the Future, a mini-campaign to raise $1 million for the new building. As part of the larger $15.3 million Museum in Motion Campaign, Framing the Future offered donors the opportunity to name each of the 10 glulams that support the roof and walls of the Thompson Exhibition Building and “frame the future” of Mystic Seaport.

As of the end of March, all 10 glulam support beams were committed and nearly $1 million has been pledged or given to Mystic Seaport. We are incredibly grateful to the generous donors who are supporting the Museum’s transformation.

For more information, please contact Betsy Bowman, campaign manager, at 860.572.0711, ext. 5005 or betsy.bowman@mysticseaport.org/.

The Connecticut League of History Organizations (CLHO) announced that the Noank Historical Society, Inc. is the recipient of an Award of Merit for Larry Jacobsen’s book “Celebrating the Emma C. Berry: The history and adventures of the last Noank, Connecticut fishing sloop and the people who helped her reach her 150th birthday.”  The CLHO Award of Merit is a prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of Connecticut history.

The Emma C. Berry is the last known example of a well smack, a type of fishing vessel once common in the waters from Maine to Florida. She is a National Historic Landmark vessel and part of the watercraft collection at Mystic Seaport where she is a floating exhibit.

The book chronicles the boat’s history from her construction and launch in Noank in 1866, through her career fishing and carrying cargo, to her eventual arrival at the Museum in 1969.

Jacobsen, a longtime volunteer at Mystic Seaport, retired as the Chief Hull and Structures Engineer at Electric Boat in Groton. He spent several years researching the Berry and writing the book.

Penny Newbury and Louisa Watrous of the Noank Historical Society assisted in the editing and production of the book. Jacobsen passed away two months after the book was published in June 2015 at the age of 94.

The CLHO presents the Award of Merit to institutions and individuals who demonstrate the highest of professional standards, and who enhance and further the understanding of Connecticut history. The CLHO will confer 12 awards in 2016 honoring people, projects, exhibits, books, and organizations. Presentation of the awards will be made at a special ceremony during the organizations annual conference in Meriden, CT on Monday, June 6.

Mystic Seaport is planning a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the boat’s launch this summer.

“Celebrating the Emma C. Berry” is available in the Museum bookstore for $15.

Historian and author Nathaniel Philbrick kicked off the Museum’s newest education program in New London on Monday. Addressing more than 50 students gathered in the gymnasium of Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, Philbrick talked about how he is inspired by history and the stories he gets to tell and the process he goes through to write a book.

This was the first session of “Writing Stem to Stern,” a new initiative by the Mystic Seaport Education Department to use maritime history and the resources of the Museum to help young people become better writers. Students at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in New London, CT, will have the opportunity to participate in the three-year program to immerse themselves in the maritime history of their city and the region to help them become better writers. Each year, 50 students will participate in various activities at the school and at Mystic Seaport that will serve as prompts for them to write about their experiences. The “Stem to Stern” program will feature Philbrick and all that he has accomplished as an author to serve as an exemplar and catalyst for these students to reach their highest potential as writers.

The learning plan includes writing workshops, field trips to Mystic Seaport for hands-on activities, and in-school interaction with chantey singers and historic role players. Students will produce a culminating writing project for presentation to Philbrick, the New London School Board, and Mystic Seaport trustees.

School officials were pleased with the reaction the first session generated.

“In addition to asking questions, students were able to relate to Mr. Philbrick’s commitment and integrity towards his work,” said Dr. Alison Burdick, principal of Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School. “We are looking forward to expanding this partnership through the thoughtful collaboration with Mystic Seaport staff, and providing our students with the opportunity of a lifetime by providing a classroom beyond the walls of our school.”

“Writing Stem to Stern” is made possible by patrons of the 2015 America and the Sea Award Gala that was held in New York City last October. The 2015 honoree was Nathaniel Philbrick, and guests at the event enthusiastically offered their support to fund the program, which was developed in consultation with Philbrick and reflects his personal passion for today’s youth to have the desire and skills to be excellent writers.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of school groups, but I have to say, the students at Bennie Dover really impressed me. They were polite, enthusiastic, curious, and asked some really great and thoughtful questions,” said Philbrick.

“This program has been fun to put together, not just because of Nathaniel Philbrick’s personal involvement and enthusiasm for the subject, but it has allowed us to marshal and use our resources in new and different ways, much as we strive to do with our Mystic Seaport for Educators website in the digital sphere,” said Sarah Cahill, director of Education at Mystic Seaport.