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Mystic Seaport Museum Shares an Exciting Lineup of Activities and Events for July!

This summer, Mystic Seaport Museum welcomes visitors of all ages to find their sea story at the nation’s largest maritime museum. Guided by the belief that the sea connects us all, the Museum presents a dynamic array of events, exhibitions, and interactive experiences that inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience. 

The Summer of the Morgan continues with special activities onboard the Charles W. Morgan, scavenger hunt and activity booklet, storytelling, photo opportunities, daily boat rides, historic demonstrations, hands-on activities, live entertainment, and countless ways to experience rich maritime traditions. This July, we’re offering a variety of new experiences and events to celebrate the spirit of New England and provide opportunities to create lasting memories with family and friends.  

July Highlights: 

Relax on a 90-minute cruise down the Mystic River onboard the National Historic Landmark vessel Sabino, with live music and a cash bar onboard.  

Explore the night sky in the Treworgy Planetarium after hours! Learn more about the stars, constellations, and planets that are visible from our own backyards.  

  • JAWSFest, July 5, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.  

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary thriller, JAWS! Shark-themed fun for all ages includes shark photo ops, crafts, face painting, and opportunities to learn about shark conservation and research from regional experts, culminating in an evening of live music, local food, and an outdoor screening of the original JAWS film under the stars. General admission covers both daytime and evening activities. 

Enjoy live music at Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern overlooking the Charles W. Morgan and the beautiful Mystic River. Admission is free beginning at 5:00 p.m. 

Brechin Morgan studied at Silvermine College of Art, majoring in painting, where he set out to become the next great abstract expressionist painter. Visit Morgan in the John Gardner Boat Shop. 

  • Newfoundland Dog Water Rescue Demonstrations, July 12, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
    Witness trained Newfoundland dogs showcase their remarkable water rescue skills in partnership with the Land & Sea Newfoundland Training Group. 

Enjoy Flock Theatre’s open-air performance of “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare. Limited (bench) seating is provided, and visitors are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs. Enter at the North Entrance. In the event of rain, the performance will take place on July 13. $25 per person suggested donation, collected at the performance. 

Enjoy expert talks about whaling history, the ship’s restoration, and the 38th Voyage. Sing along to live sea music, visit the newest exhibition Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact, and cool off in the Treworgy Planetarium with special shows about the Morgan. And yes, there will be cake! 

Shop and support International Sea Glass Association artists (50+ vendors!), who will be selling their creations, and learn about sea and beach glass from experts. 

Mark our 40th annual reading of Moby-Dick in honor of Herman Melville’s birthday, read aloud aboard the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world.   

Mystic Seaport Museum is open daily, offering a wide range of activities and programs for all ages. This summer, whether you’re sailing on a historic vessel, engaging in hands-on history, or simply soaking in the picturesque waterfront views, there’s something for everyone to experience and enjoy. 

For tickets, a full calendar of events, and the latest updates, visit: www.mysticseaport.org. 

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Peter Armstrong to embark on a new journey after completing a pivotal phase of leadership at Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic, Conn. (June 20, 2025) – Mystic Seaport Museum President and CEO Peter Armstrong has announced that he will be stepping down from his role later this summer. Armstrong, who has led the Museum since 2020, will return to his native England to be closer to family. His final day at the Museum will be August 6. 

“It has been a joy and a great honor to lead this organization through the challenges of COVID and help reestablish it as one of the world’s foremost maritime museums,” said Armstrong. “My family has been instrumental in supporting these worthy endeavors, and while I will miss the colleagues and community that I’ve had the privilege to work alongside, it’s time for my wife and I to return the favor. Like many, we now find ourselves balancing the responsibilities of caring for an aging parent and embracing the joys of becoming more present and active grandparents to our growing family. When I arrived in Mystic, my goal was to lay a strategic foundation that would guide this Museum into its centennial and secure its success for the next 100 years—and I believe that, through the work of the past five years, the Museum is now well positioned to do so.” 

During his tenure, Armstrong brought renewed vision and momentum to the Museum. He spearheaded the development of Charting Our Course, a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines the Museum’s priorities and long-term goals. He launched the first phase of the campus master plan and created the American Institute for Maritime Studies (AIMS), establishing the Museum as a leader in maritime research and publishing. 

Armstrong also oversaw several significant capital projects, including the restoration of 30,000 square feet of the historic Rossie Mill into the Wells Boat Hall—slated for completion in August—which will serve as the future home of the American Watercraft Collection; upgrades to the floating docks at the award-winning Mystic Seaport Museum Marina; and most recently facilitated a partnership with Greenwich Hospitality Group to bring their newest hotel, Delamar Mystic on the Museum grounds — a privately owned property that enhances the visitor experience and complements the campus environment. Each of these projects represents a pivotal addition to the Museum’s physical and experiential footprint. His commitment to fostering community through partnerships and collaboration has left a legacy, solidifying the Museum’s ties locally and beyond. 

“We are all grateful to Peter for his hard work and dedication over the past five years.  He successfully led the Museum out of the COVID pandemic and back into being a vibrant, active, award-winning Museum.  Peter designed and executed a substantial reorganization of the Museum which has better positioned us for the future, by fostering collaborative and collegial effort amongst and across all stakeholders,” stated Richard Clary, Board Chair at the Museum.   

To ensure a smooth transition, Christopher Freeman, Vice President of Advancement and 27-year veteran of the Museum, will assume the role of Interim CEO while the Board of Trustees form a search committee to identify Armstrong’s successor.  Freeman brings extensive institutional knowledge and a deep commitment to the mission, ensuring stability and continuity during this period of leadership transition. 

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Mystic Seaport Museum Hosts JAWSFest in Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of JAWS

Mystic, CT — June 17, 2025 — Dive into the deep this summer at Mystic Seaport Museum as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary thriller, JAWS! Islanders, tourists, and locals alike are invited to join us for JAWSFest, a day-long celebration of the classic movie, culminating in an evening of live music, local food, and an outdoor screening of the original JAWS film under the stars. 

Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Tickets: One general admission ticket covers all daytime and evening programming! 

Activities and programming 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: 

  • Meet the Experts: Hear a panel of shark scientists from the Atlantic Shark Institute and Atlantic White Shark Conservancy discuss their research. 
  • Exclusive Screening: Watch the pre-premiere of National Geographic’s “JAWS @ 50”: The Definitive Inside Story with opening remarks and Q&A by Wendy Benchley, renowned public speaker, ocean advocate, and wife of the late Peter Benchley, author of JAWS. 
  • Behind the Scenes of Shark Week: Listen to a talk by Joe Romiero, award-winning cinematographer and naturalist who specializes in shark behavior and research, on his work with the Discovery Network’s Shark Week. 
  • “From Junkyard to Museum”: NPR’s Cory Turner shares The Unlikely Journey of the Last JAWS Shark 
  • Explore the Living Sharks Museum Pop-Up Exhibit: This JAWS Anniversary Exhibition tent will feature original artifacts and memorabilia from 1975, with curator Keith Cowley sharing knowledge on the film’s impact and the evolution of our relationship with sharks over the past 50 years. 
  • Family-Friendly Fun: Enjoy story time, shark-themed crafts, face painting (12:00–3:00), and unforgettable photo ops with a 25-foot inflatable shark and an anti-shark cage! 
  • Water Rescues: Watch Newfoundland dogs perform live water rescues in a display of aquatic teamwork. 
  • Stop by the Narragansett Beer tent on the Village Green and interact with local shark conservation organizations. 

Evening Programming on the Village Green, beginning at 5:00 p.m.  

  • Live Music, Lawn Games, and Concessions 
  • Outdoor Screening of JAWS: Cap off the night with an outdoor showing of the movie that started it all, introduced by special guest Wendy Benchley. 

It’s gonna be JAWS-ome! 

This unique event promises to thrill fans of all ages, educate curious minds, and honor the legacy of a film that left an indelible mark on pop culture and ocean awareness. General admission will cover both daytime and evening programming. Spend the whole day with us, or come back for the evening events, all for one special JAWSFest price. 

For tickets and more information visit mysticseaport.org/jawsfest. 

 

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Mystic Seaport Museum Honored to Receive Award of Excellence from AASLH for Publication Mainsheet: A Journal of Multidisciplinary Maritime Studies

Mystic Seaport Museum is a proud recipient of an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) for Mainsheet: A Journal of Multidisciplinary Maritime Studies. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 80th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.  

Mainsheet is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal of maritime studies. A venue for original research from scholars in many fields, Mainsheet offers a rigorous and enlightening perspective on contemporary maritime studies. It also includes compelling feature stories, collection spotlights, poetry, and world-class art. Themed issues have included our inaugural issue on maritime social histories and Issue 2 on maritime technologies, livelihoods, and economies. Future issues will be a mix of special themes and general issues in all aspects of maritime studies. All articles are available open access on the Mainsheet website, with no cost to readers or authors. 

This year, AASLH confers 54 national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.  Peter Armstrong, Museum President and CEO shared, “We are not just preserving history—we are actively shaping it. Through initiatives like Mainsheet, we’re advancing academic research and reaffirming the importance of the American maritime experience.” 

The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena. For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, visit www.aaslh.org.

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Mystic Seaport Museum Honored as Silver Stevie® Award Winner in 2025 American Business Awards®

Mystic Seaport Museum Honored as Silver Stevie® Award Winner in 2025 American Business Awards®

Stevie winners will be celebrated during gala event on June 10 in New York

Mystic, Conn. (May 7, 2025) – Mystic Seaport Museum was named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the Marketing Campaign of the Year Non-profit category in the 23rd Annual American Business Awards® today. 

The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.’s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the United States. are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.  

More than 3,600 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Startup of the Year, Executive of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Thought Leader of the Year, and App of the Year, among others.  Mystic Seaport Museum was nominated in the Marketing Campaign of the Year category for Non-Profit Organizations. 

As the nation’s leading maritime museum, Mystic Seaport Museum believes the sea connects us all—through stories of immigration, family legacies, sailing, or transformative experiences on or near the water. In 2024, the Museum launched the Find Your Sea Story campaign to showcase the rich human experiences embedded within our collections, exhibitions, and vessels. Through storytelling, visitors go beyond simply viewing an “object” to understanding the broader narrative that the object or artifact represents. This campaign sparks curiosity, exploration, joy, and nostalgia—nurturing a sense of belonging and illustrating the profound ways the sea connects us all. Through this campaign, the Museum has reached new audiences and uncovered incredible stories. 

More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners. 

Judges’ comments included: “This campaign stands out for its strategic vision, creative execution, and measurable success in connecting diverse audiences to America’s maritime legacy,” and “The campaign demonstrates exceptional strategic planning, execution, and results in connecting audiences with maritime history through storytelling. . . . Its comprehensive multimedia strategy effectively integrates emotional storytelling with innovative outreach efforts.” 

“Organizations across the United States continue to demonstrate resilience and innovation,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. “The 2025 Stevie winners have helped drive that success through their innovation, persistence, and hard work. We congratulate all of the winners in the 2025 ABAs and look forward to celebrating their achievements during our June 10 gala event in New York.” 

Sophia Matsas, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, stated, “This wasn’t just a campaign—it was a living, breathing expression of our mission. Find Your Sea Story was a true omnichannel initiative, driven by storytelling, strategy, creativity, and collaboration. It invited audiences to forge a personal connection with the sea through our world-class exhibitions, historic vessels, family activities, seaport village, shipyard projects, and immersive on-the-water experiences.” 

Visit findyourseastory.com to learn more about the campaign and watch the mini-documentary series that takes viewers on a voyage, revealing the profound and enduring connections between individuals and the sea—and visit the Museum to find your sea story. 

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2025 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.   

About Mystic Seaport Museum 

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 500 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram.

About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Sponsors of The 2025 American Business Awards include HCLTech, Melissa Sones Consulting, and SoftPro. 

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Mystic Seaport Museum Announces Exciting Lineup of Activities, Events, and Exhibitions in June!

Mystic Seaport Museum Announces Exciting Lineup of Activities, Events, and Exhibitions in June!

Mystic, Conn. (May 29, 2025) – This summer, Mystic Seaport Museum invites visitors of all ages to explore, connect, and discover their sea story at the nation’s largest maritime museum. Rooted in the belief that the sea connects us all, the Museum offers an enriching lineup of events, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences designed to inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience. 

From daily water excursions and historic demonstrations to family-friendly exhibits and live performances, the Museum’s 2025 summer season is filled with opportunities to engage with New England’s maritime heritage and spend quality time with your family and friends. 

Ongoing Daily Activities Include: 

  • Summer of the Morgan: special activities onboard the Charles W. Morgan, scavenger hunt and activity booklet, storytelling, photo opportunities, Moby-Dick marathon, and the Morgan’s 184th birthday celebration on July 19 and 20. 
  • Get out on the Water: Rowboats, pedal boats, and sailboats from the Boathouse, and captained cruises aboard the National Historic Landmark vessel Sabino. 
  • Family Fun: Discovery activities at the Funk Children’s Museum, Toy Boat Workshop, Discovery Barn, and ships playscape. Daily educational and immersive shows in the Treworgy Planetarium. 
  • World-class Exhibitions: Powerful exhibitions explore the maritime histories in Indigenous, African, and African-descended worldviews and experiences; the local commercial fishing industry and regional connections; the history and lasting impact of whaling in our newest exhibition Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact; and more. 

June Highlights: 

  • Father’s Day Weekend Festivities, June 14–15
    Enjoy the Revolutionary War Encampment on Saturday, and on Sunday, relax by the river with live music. All weekend, visit the model train show, take a ride in a vintage Model A truck, get out on the water, and give dad a special Father’s Day card from the Print Shop. 
  • Revolutionary War Encampment, June 14
    Step into 18th-century life with reenactors from Connecticut regiments. Activities include demonstrations of historical medical practices, trades, and shipboard life, culminating in a celebratory parade at 3:30 p.m. as news of the signing of the Declaration of Independence reaches the seaport! 
  • New London Big Band Father’s Day Concert, June 15 at 2:00 p.m.
    A live performance by Sean Nelson’s 17-piece jazz orchestra. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an afternoon of upbeat jazz and swing classics. Concert is included with Museum admission and free for Members. 
  • Juneteenth Commemoration Ceremony, June 19 at 3:00 p.m.
    Join the Museum in honoring Juneteenth with poetry by Rhonda Ward, a presentation by historian John Mills, and music by the Niantic Community Church Gospel Choir. 
  • WoodenBoat Show, June 27–29
    Hosted in partnership with WoodenBoat Publications, this annual event features over 100 traditional and classic wooden boats of every type, from handcrafted kayaks to mahogany runabouts, and classic daysailers to schooners, along with expert demonstrations and vendors. One-day and three-day passes available. Free for Museum Members. 
  • Small Craft Workshop, June 27–29
    In collaboration with the Traditional Small Craft Association, the John Gardner Small Craft Workshop offers skills demonstrations and free boat rentals during the WoodenBoat Show. 

Enjoy live music at Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern overlooking the Charles W. Morgan and the beautiful Mystic River. 

Mystic Seaport Museum is open daily with activities and programs suitable for all ages. Whether you’re sailing on a historic vessel, participating in living history, or simply enjoying the scenic waterfront, there’s something for everyone to discover this summer. 

For tickets, a full calendar of events, and the latest updates, visit: www.mysticseaport.org. 

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 500 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram.

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Mystic Seaport Museum Launches SeaClass, A New Digital Museum Experience

Mystic Seaport Museum Launches SeaClass, A New Digital Museum Experience

Mystic, Conn. (May 28, 2025) – Mystic Seaport Museum is proud to announce the launch of SeaClass: Digital Learning, a six-episode video series designed to bring the Museum’s maritime expertise, knowledge, and storytelling to audiences near and far. Premiering Wednesday, June 4, at 12:00 p.m. on the Museum YouTube channel, this inaugural season immerses viewers into 19th-century whaling through stories, artifacts, and expert-led discussions that explore the impact of whaling then and now. 

Produced in collaboration with Museum experts and hosted by Krystal Rose, Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs, SeaClass gives a behind-the-scenes look at items in the vault and provides added context for our newest exhibition, Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact, now on exhibit. This program enhances the experience for exhibition visitors, while also providing a global audience the opportunity to engage with key elements of the exhibition virtually. 

“SeaClass allows us to extend the reach of our world-class collections, educational programming, and expert voices well beyond our campus. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience. We’re thrilled to bring that mission to life in new ways through our expanding digital museum experience, and we warmly invite audiences near and far to engage with Mystic Seaport Museum in meaningful and lasting ways,” said Peter Armstrong, President and CEO at the Museum. 

SeaClass is the second digital YouTube series launched in as many years by the Museum. The first being the Find Your Sea Story mini documentary series, which aired last summer and was recently honored with a Silver Telly Award at the 46th Annual Telly Awards. 

2025 SeaClass: Digital Learning Episode Schedule: 

Episode 1: The Why of Whaling, airing June 4 at 12:00 p.m.
Michael Dyer, Curator of Maritime History, explores the motivations behind whaling and its global impact. 

Episode 2: Women in Whaling, airing June 11 at 12:00 p.m.
Maria Petrillo, Director of Interpretation, highlights the untold stories of women in whaling. 

Episode 3: Whaling’s Cabinet of Curiosities, airing June 18 at 12:00 p.m.
Professor Jim Carlton of Williams College examines whale anatomy and its historical applications. 

Episode 4: Maritime Navigation and Nautical Tools Explained, airing July 9 at 12:00 p.m.
Brian Koehler, Associate Director of Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport Museum, demystifies how sailors navigated the open seas. 

Episode 5: Tools of the Whaling Trade: A Closer Look, airing July 16 at 12:00 p.m.
Michael Dyer returns to demonstrate the tools used by whalers—and the stories they tell. 

Episode 6: Massive Whaling Artifacts, airing July 23 at 12:00 p.m.
Take a rare look at large-scale whaling artifacts with Michael Dyer as your guide. 

All episodes will be available on the Museum YouTube channel. While viewing is free, donations are welcome to support the Museum. Watch the season one teaser and subscribe to our channel here. 

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 500 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram.

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Mystic Seaport Museum Announces the Summer of the Morgan

This summer, Mystic Seaport Museum invites visitors to experience the “Summer of the Morgan,” a season-long celebration of America’s maritime heritage centered around the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The celebration launches Memorial Day Weekend, as the entire campus comes alive with engaging events, special programming, new storytelling on board the ship and across the recreated 19th-century Seaport Village, and activities for all ages to enjoy! 

Preparations began in March with the downrigging of the Morgan before being hauled ashore at the Museum’s Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard for a classic “shave and a haircut.” Re-launching is anticipated to take place on April 28, pending weather and tide. Visitors are invited to witness the vessel’s return to Chubb’s Wharf and watch our skilled shipwrights complete their work.  

By mid-May, the vessel will be back in place on Chubb’s Wharf offering visitors an array of fresh experiences and activities on board the Morgan and throughout the Seaport Village all summer long. Activities include:  

  • a new walking tour that connects the story of the Morgan to the historic Seaport Village, providing visitors the unique opportunity to explore the ship’s hold, normally closed to the public  
  • special on-board activities and new storytelling delivered by our talented interpreters and volunteers 
  • a scavenger hunt and activity handout for kids and families   
  • a “selfie station” photo opportunity with the Morgan as the backdrop for easy sharing across socials 
  • the Morgan’s 184th birthday celebration July 19–20, featuring live music, expert talks, special shows in the Museum’s Treworgy Planetarium, and of course there will be cake!  
  • the annual 24-hour reading of Moby-Dick onboard the Morgan July 31–August 1  
  • and more throughout the summer!  

Memorial Day weekend will also mark the opening of our latest exhibition Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact, in the Collins Gallery on May 24. This exhibition will explore whaling and its impact on our region and nation, and will consist almost entirely of artifacts, documents, and photographs from the Mystic Seaport Museum Curatorial and Library Collections. The gallery will pair a monumental mural, aptly titled Or, The Whale, created by artist John Joseph “Jos” Sances. 

With a dynamic lineup of events, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences, there are countless reasons to return again and again. Museum membership offers the best way to enjoy everything the season has to offer—providing unlimited admission all year long. Discover your sea story at Mystic Seaport Museum during the Summer of the Morgan! 

Watch our website and socials for the latest information and event updates over the course of the season. 

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Mystic Seaport Museum Presents “Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact”

Mystic, CT. April 14, 2025 – Mystic Seaport Museum is pleased to present Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact, an exhibition that explores the history, significance, and social impact of the whaling industry. Opening on May 24, 2025, and on view until February 16, 2026, the exhibition will feature seldom seen historic artifacts from the Museum’s vaults including specimens, tools, documents, photographs, and ephemera all in dialogue with contemporary artist Jos Sances’s Or, The Whale, a massive 51-foot scratchboard mural of a sperm whale chronicling the evolution of American industrialization.  

Between the 1820s and 1920s, the demand for whale oil—prized for its non-drying and non-corroding properties in candles, lamps, and the burgeoning machinery of the Industrial Revolution— was immense.  Estimated to have killed over half a million animals in the 19th century, these floating oil factories required crews of men who endured arduous voyages. Each was a one-million-dollar investment in today’s dollars, highlighting the crucial, yet ultimately unsustainable, role of whale oil as the petroleum of its time. 

The perilous reality of the whaling trade is starkly illustrated by the tools of the hunt. From the menacing, oversized harpoons and darting guns to the wickedly sharp cutting-in tools and blubber hooks exceeding three feet in length, these implements represent the life-threatening efforts undertaken to secure precious whale byproducts. The exhibition also highlights moments of innovation, such as the circa 1845 iron harpoons with swiveling heads designed by the African American blacksmith Lewis Temple, an ingenious adaptation created to ensure a secure hold on their massive prey, as violently depicted in the 1835 image Capturing a Sperm Whale. Once caught, the whale’s blubber would be boiled down on the deck of the ship in gigantic trypots like those on view in the exhibition, each of which held around 200 gallons of oil.  

Aside from the immensely valuable oil and blubber, whaling crews created artistic and cultural consumer goods to offset the grueling boredom while at sea. Monstrous will show a wide range of scrimshaw engravings on whale bones or teeth, baleen dress stays, knitting needles, and a small flask of ambergris, the waxy substance from whale intestines prized for its use in perfumes.  

Monstrous connects historical artifacts with a contemporary perspective by showcasing Jos Sances’s monumental scratchboard Or, The Whale, a nearly life-sized mural of a sperm whale. This piece memorializes the many social and political challenges Americans faced during the country’s industrialization, drawing parallels between the exploitative practices of the whaling era and the ongoing societal issues examined in the exhibition. 

The human stories of life on a commercial whale ship or whaler are told by the Mystic Seaport Museum documentation and ephemera. While primarily male, whaling crews occasionally included women, who joined the voyages as wives and mothers, but sometimes played the roles of navigators, correspondents, nurses, managers, and log keepers. The last woman to sail on the Charles W. Morgan during its whaling career, Charlotte (Lottie) Church, kept a ship’s log as her role as assistant navigator. Historic photographs on-view in Monstrous also reveal the multicultural makeup of whaling crews. As whaling expeditions lasted years and traveled globally, they would amass crew members in foreign ports. Whaling was also a job for both free and formerly enslaved Black men: Monstrous includes the Museum’s stately portrait of Antoine DeSant, an accomplished Cape Verdean whaler who settled in New London in 1860. 

By bringing together historical remnants of the whaling era with the contemporary artistic interpretation, Monstrous creates a vital dialogue across time. This exhibition encourages reflection on the complex relationship between human ambition, resource exploitation, and societal change, offering valuable insights for contemporary audiences at a time when we once again examine our sources of energy. 

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Mystic Seaport Museum Named #2 Best Open-Air Museum by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Second Year!

Mystic, Conn. (February 19, 2025) – Mystic Seaport Museum proudly announces its second-place position in the Best Open-Air Museum category of the 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice awards out of twenty exceptional open-air museums featured in the competition. The top ten winners were officially announced on Wednesday, February 19. 

“This acknowledgment of Mystic Seaport Museum by an expert panel and the public for the second year in a row reinforces our position as a top destination for cultural enrichment and maritime exploration,” says Museum President and CEO, Peter Armstrong.

These nominations were carefully curated by a panel of subject matter experts and USA TODAY 10Best editors before being voted on by the public. Votes were cast in each category over a four-week period starting in January on the 10Best.com website. A sincere thank you to USA TODAY, 10Best, and all the contributors for including the Museum in this year’s nomination. 

Mystic Seaport Museum extends its heartfelt gratitude to all those who voted in support of the Museum as we continue our commitment to inspire our visitors and supporters to find their personal connections to the sea through immersive experiences, exhibitions, and opportunities. Congratulations to all the open-air museums, including 1st place winner, our friends and colleagues at Plimoth Patuxet Museums. 

Visit https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/ to see the complete list of winners and their ranking.  

Learn more about USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards here. 

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM

75 Greenmanville Ave
Mystic, CT 06355
860-572-0711
info@mysticseaport.org

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  • Thompson Exhibition Building and grounds close at 6:00 p.m.

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75 Greenmanville Ave
Mystic, CT 06355
860-572-0711

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