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Mystic Seaport Museum is a founding partner of the Connecticut Blue Economy Coalition

Mystic Seaport Museum is thrilled to announce the successful hosting of the official launch event for the Connecticut Blue Economy Coalition. As a founding partner and the largest American maritime museum, Mystic Seaport Museum is committed to fostering a sustainable economic future in maritime industries across Connecticut through the advancement of the blue economy. 

The event, made possible by the generous support of sponsors OceanX, AdvanceCT, and seCTer, saw significant participation from esteemed guests, including Senator Heather Somers, Senator Catherine Osten, Representative Holly Cheeseman, Representative Aundre Baumgardner, and Selectwoman Deborah Motycka Downie. Their presence and support underscore the importance of this initiative. 

The highlight of the event was the celebratory signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, which outlines the coalition’s goals and strategic initiatives. This marks the first step in leveraging our networks and resources to promote Connecticut’s burgeoning blue economy. Representatives from each participating organization delivered flash talks, detailing their missions and the significance of the coalition. 

The coalition’s members include: AdvanceCT, ClimateHaven, GreenWave, Mystic Seaport Museum, OceanX, Project Oceanology, seCTer, Thayer Mahan Inc., and UConn Avery Point.

Mystic Seaport Museum Board of Trustees Vice-Chairman Rich Clary emphasized the initiative’s importance for both the Museum and the state. The event concluded with a memorable boat ride on the historic steamboat, Sabino, recently upgraded with a diesel-electric engine. This allows the vessel to operate under electric power, achieving a 95% reduction in carbon emissions—exemplifying the Museum’s commitment to a sustainable ocean economy. 

The mission of the Connecticut Blue Economy Coalition is to be the nexus for the Blue Economy in the State of Connecticut. As a networking and convening coalition of partners, we will bring stakeholders together to best determine strategies for supporting the growth and stability of the blue economy through education, acceleration, advocacy, and communication. Each organization brings its own set of strengths, infrastructure, networking opportunities, and skill sets to the coalition. As a collaboration, we will leverage our combined strengths to accelerate and empower a sustainable future for blue economic growth in Connecticut. 

 

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18th Annual International Sea Glass Festival

18th Annual International Sea Glass Festival 

Saturday, July 27–Sunday, July 28 

Mystic, CT — The 18th Annual International Sea Glass Festival, the premier sea and beach glass event in the country celebrating the history and beauty of genuine sea and beach glass, returns for a second year to Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut, on July 27–28, 2024. This two-day festival features artisans, speakers, a sea glass contest, and more!  

“We are thrilled to be able to present artisans creating one-of-a-kind pieces made from some of the most beautiful sea glass from around the world,” says César Williams-Padín, President of the International Sea Glass Association. “We invite visitors to discover unique treasures and support artists as they showcase their one-of-a-kind pieces. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious enthusiast, there’s something for everyone at this two-day event. We’d like to thank the Mystic Seaport Museum and the entire Mystic community for welcoming us back to celebrate the fun, beauty, and history of sea glass in this coastal setting.” 

Every year, sea glass collectors and artists come together to immerse themselves in a world of exquisite sea glass creations crafted by talented artists, while gaining insights into the captivating world of sea and beach glass from industry experts. Sea and beach glass collectors will show off their beachcombing collections and share their knowledge in the Collectors Showcase. Speakers will share their expertise and experiences in a lecture series in the Tom Clagett Boat Shed. Visitors are invited to bring their sea glass finds for identification and to enter the annual Sea Glass Contest. On Sunday, winners, including the “Find of the Year” award, will be announced. Over 50 sea glass artisans, craftspeople, and authors from around the world will be selling their sea and beach glass related products all weekend. 

“Mystic Seaport Museum is thrilled to host the annual International Sea Glass Festival for the second year in a row,” said Margaret Milnes, Vice President of Visitor Journey at Mystic Seaport Museum. “With 40+ vendors, talks, and a sea glass contest, this unique event offers a rare opportunity to explore the beauty and artistry of sea glass, each piece telling a story of its own. We invite the community to join us in celebrating these ocean treasures and to learn more about the International Sea Glass Association and their mission!” 

This family-friendly event is included in Museum admission and free for Museum Members. Tickets can be validated for entrance on the second day. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit the Museum’s website. 

The International Sea Glass Association (ISGA), a non-profit organization established in 2005, is dedicated to championing sea and beach glass collectors and fostering community engagement. Their mission is to educate collectors, consumers, and retailers on the intrinsic value of genuine, unaltered sea and beach glass, while advocating for the preservation and restoration of global waterways and coastlines. 

 

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Wells Boat Hall

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM ANNOUNCES WELLS BOAT HALL, A $15 MILLION INITIATIVE TO CREATE A HOME FOR ITS ICONIC AMERICAN WATERCRAFT COLLECTION 

New Wells Boat Hall to Be Unveiled in 2025, Pieter Nicholson Roos Appointed Curator, Generous Support Provided By Stan and Nancy Wells 

Mystic, CT. [June 28, 2024] – Mystic Seaport Museum is pleased to announce the establishment of the Wells Boat Hall to exhibit the American Watercraft Collection, an estimated $15 million renovation to convert a section of the historic Rossie Mill—currently used as a storage facility—into a dynamic, publicly accessible, exhibition hall highlighting the Museum’s collection of historic small boats. The exhibition, curated by longtime cultural institutional leader Pieter Nicholson Roos, will capture the progression of American nautical innovation, showcasing the unique social history of each vessel and revealing the scope of the extensive collection to the public for the first time.   

“We are delighted to bring the American Watercraft Collection out of storage and into the public eye for our visitors and supporters,” says Peter Armstrong, President and CEO of Mystic Seaport Museum. “This renovation not only increases the size of our accessible campus but also allows us to unravel the stories that lie within these amazing vessels.” 

The Wells Boat Hall will exhibit over 100 vessels, seldom seen by the public in the last 40 years. Estimated to be the largest and the most diverse small craft and engine collection in the world, the exhibition will feature the first vessel acquired by the Museum, Annie, a 1931 sandbagger, and will span 182 years from an indigenous dugout canoe to a modern-day Mini Transat racer. The public will be invited to engage in the stories of vessels in the collection from labor to leisure, from adventure to commerce, and beyond. Stories will include the Analuisa, a fishing boat used by Cuban refugees to escape to Florida in the summer of 1994, and Tango, the first boat pedaled across the Atlantic and holding the record as the fastest human-powered transatlantic crossing, completed in 40 days, pedaled by Connecticut resident Dwight Collins. 

Located on the corner of Rossie Pentway and Greenmanville Avenue, and directly opposite the Museum’s Thompson Exhibition Building, the Wells Boat Hall will be housed in the historic Rossie Mill, built in 1898 as a velvet factory and once the largest employer in Mystic. The 35,000 square-foot warehouse will be renovated to include a new and ADA-compliant visitor entrance with a columned canopy, a new roof reflecting design typical of New England mill towers, and a fully integrated exhibition space. The renovation will allow the Museum to care for and exhibit the watercraft and related artifacts in an environment that showcases their importance and maintains their legacy while maintaining this historic building. The Wells Boat Hall will also double as a flexible community space for lectures and presentations, as well as new educational programs initiated by the American Institute of Maritime Studies at Mystic Seaport Museum.   

Pieter Nicholson Roos has been appointed the Wells Boat Hall Exhibition Curator and will curate the exhibit. Roos, the former director of the Mark Twain House and Museum and a strategic advisor on climate change, will provide his decades of experience in preservation and maritime expertise. 

“It’s with great excitement that I join Mystic Seaport Museum in unveiling its cherished collection to the public after years in storage,” shared Roos. “With the launch of the Wells Boat Hall, we will allow visitors to embark on a journey through time, finding their own connections to the array of stories on view and ensuring that these historic boats are preserved and remain in our contemporary consciousness.” 

The American Watercraft Collection will be housed in the Wells Boat Hall, named after local residents and longtime Museum Trustee Stan Wells and his wife Nancy Wells. It is scheduled to open to the public in the fall of 2025.

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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Media Contacts:   

For images, further background or interviews, please contact:  

Katrina Stewart  

Senior Account Coordinator, Visual Arts  

Blue Medium  

T: +1-212-675-1800  

katrina@bluemedium.com   

  

Sophia Matsas  

Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
T: +1-860-572-5317  

sophia.matsas@mysticseaport.org  

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Find Your Sea Story at Mystic Seaport Museum This Summer

Find Your Sea Story at Mystic Seaport Museum This Summer
Explore an exciting lineup of activities, events and exhibitions at the Museum!

Mystic, Conn. (June 13, 2024) – At Mystic Seaport Museum we believe the sea connects us all, and we invite visitors to explore the nation’s largest maritime museum to find their sea story this summer. Here visitors can imagine life on a ship by boarding one of the Museum’s four national historic landmark vessels; witness traditional shipbuilding techniques as skilled shipwrights maintain historic wooden vessels in the Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard; reveal personal connections to the sea through our specially curated exhibitions; and learn about maritime trades that supported life at sea and on land in the 19th century in the Museum’s re-created seaport village.

Guests can also navigate the waterfront with a river cruise on the National Historic Landmark vessel Sabino, built in 1908; or be their own captain on a rowboat, sailboat, or pedal boat from the Museum’s Boathouse.

Mystic Seaport Museum has curated an extensive summer event lineup for all to enjoy:

  1. Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures, On exhibit through September 2 | Based on French author Jules Verne’s 1870 classic, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, this immersive exhibition brings to life the adventures of Captain Nemo, his fantastical submarine Nautilus, and the mythical world he inhabited. On board, discover the inner workings of a deep-sea vessel, take up the controls at the helm, look through the periscopes, crank the propeller, test out the bunks, and explore Captain Nemo’s Cabinet of Curiosities, full of incredible marine specimens! Keep watch for special family programming all summer long, from weekly story time and crafts to special events.
  2. 2024 Artists in Residence, Now through August 17 | In partnership with the Center for American Marine Art, the Museum welcomes four artists in residence this summer: Joyful Enriquez, Tom Swimm, Brechin Morgan, and Serena Bates. Visitors are invited to learn more about their unique techniques and processes as they work in Clift Block in the Seaport Village. Much of the artwork on view is available for sale. Check out our website for residency dates for each artist.
  1. Model Train Show, Friday–Tuesday, June 14–18 | The local Mystic Seaport Ship Modelers will be displaying a narrow-gauge short line that winds its way through marshes and sand dunes to small ports through a southern New England coastal environment. Members of the Mystic Seaport Ship Modelers will be present to answer questions and talk with visitors throughout the show.
  1. Juneteenth Recognition Events, Wednesday, June 19, 3:00 p.m. | Mystic Seaport Museum and Discovering Amistad are collaborating for the fifth year to bring a Juneteenth recognition event to the grounds of the Museum.
  1. WoodenBoat Show, Friday–Sunday, June 28–30 | The 32nd annual WoodenBoat Show, hosted in partnership with WoodenBoat Publications, returns to the Museum with more than 100 traditional and classic wooden boats of every type on display, from handcrafted kayaks to mahogany runabouts, and classic daysailers to schooners. Vendors of all kinds will be set up across the Museum grounds—crafts, antiques, gear, and food—plus classes, demonstrations, and so much more for visitors to enjoy.
  1. Revolutionary War Encampment, Saturday, July 6 | Drills and demonstrations by reenactors of Revolutionary War Continental and British soldiers!
  1. International Sea Glass Festival, Saturday–Sunday, July 27–28 | The 18th Annual International Sea Glass Festival returns to the Museum for the second year with artisans, speakers, a sea glass contest, and more.
  1. Fire Fighter Festival, Saturday, August 17 | Water displays by the Fireboat FIRE FIGHTER, rescue demonstrations by the Mystic Fire Department, and a variety of first response boats and vehicles. All first responders will receive free admission to the event.
  1. 33rd Annual Antique Marine Engine Expo, Saturday–Sunday, August 17–18 | One of the oldest major marine engines shows in the nation, this expo offers over 300 exhibits.

Additionally, visitors can enjoy a multitude of ongoing activities from a variety of tours, lectures, live music, world-class exhibitions, including Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty, and the Sea, the annual Moby-Dick Marathon, dining, and more! The Funk Children’s Museum, Home Port activity center, Discovery Barn, and ships playscapes provide ample opportunity for daily family fun.

Add-on activities include designing and building your own toy boat in the Toy Boat Workshop and navigating the stars at Treworgy Planetarium.

 For the latest events, information, updates and for tickets, visit us at 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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The Museum Announces the Grand Opening of Mystic Seaport Museum: At the Drawbridge

The Museum Announces the Grand Opening of Mystic Seaport Museum: At the Drawbridge
A pop up shop in the heart of downtown Mystic

Mystic, Conn. (June 6, 2024) – Mystic Seaport Museum is excited to announce the opening of Mystic Seaport Museum: At the Drawbridge, a new pop-up location in the heart of downtown Mystic, Connecticut. At the Drawbridge is located on the corner of E. Main and Cottrell Streets in a shared space with the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.

The Museum will be staffing the location daily Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to welcome visitors and provide information about the Museum.

At the Drawbridge visitors will also be able to purchase:

  • General admission tickets to the Museum
  • Tickets for a daily Sabino sunset cruise departing at 5:30 p.m.
  • Tickets for river tours aboard Mystic Seaport Express, a shuttle service enabling visitors to easily travel from downtown to the Museum. Tickets for Mystic Seaport Express include Museum admission.*
  • Limited edition retail products, including a 2024 summer time capsule clothing collaboration co-curated with local brand Just Mystic

Tour times for Mystic Seaport Express are as follows:

Monday–Thursday, 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:45 p.m. *Friday–Sunday, there will be additional evening tours available at 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Museum admission is not included in the evening cruises.

River cruises board directly across the street at the dock alongside S&P Oyster Restaurant and are weather dependent.

“The Museum is a proud member of the Mystic community, and we are excited to expand our presence in this new downtown experience, Mystic Seaport Museum: At the Drawbridge. It allows us to extend our reach locally to visitors of historic downtown Mystic, giving them a glimpse of all we have to offer and encourage them to find their sea story at the Museum” says Museum President Peter Armstrong.

While in the shop, our youngest visitors will have the opportunity to climb aboard a small-scale Sabino re-creation, one of the Museum’s National Historic Landmark vessels, for a photo opportunity. We encourage visitors to share their photos with the hashtag #findyourseastory. The Sabino re-creation was built by local woodworker Nick Wilson of NBW Custom Woodworking.

Following along with the Sabino theme, a key feature in the storefront’s window display is a ship model of Sabino built to ¾ scale of the iconic vessel. The model was built by local ship modeler Bill Stevens and took three months to build in 2015 and has been previously displayed at the Museum’s Antique Marine Engine Exposition, a legacy event which takes place every August.

The Museum extends its gratitude to the Whaler’s Inn, owners of the building, for providing us with the opportunity to transform this space for this limited engagement. At the Drawbridge will be open through October 15.

We look forward to welcoming visitors to the area and share the ongoings at the Museum, including world-class exhibitions, a historic seaport village, daily family activities, historic vessels, shipyard projects, and opportunities to get out on the water. Find your sea story at Mystic Seaport Museum this summer!

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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2024 Artists in Residence

Artist-in-Residence Program at Mystic Seaport Museum, hosted in collaboration with the Center for American Marine Art

Mystic Seaport Museum welcomes four artists in residence this summer. Visitors are invited to visit each artist to learn more about their unique techniques and processes as they work in Clift Block in the Seaport Village. Much of the artwork on view is available for sale.

Joyful Enriquez, June 7–21, 2024

Joyful Enriquez is a marine wildlife artist specializing in paintings of the underwater world. Her energetic oil paintings capture the essence of life underwater and its unique lighting, atmosphere, and movement. Joyful will be at the Museum daily June 7 through 21 in Clift Block in the Museum’s Seaport Village.

Tom Swimm, July 9–16, 2024

A self-taught artist who has been painting since childhood, Tom Swimm’s work conveys a remarkable realism that gives one a sense of “being there.” Upon first viewing, people frequently comment that his paintings look almost photographic, but after studying them, his work reveals properties that are distinctly impressionistic. Tom will be at the Museum daily July 9 through 16 in Clift Block in the Museum’s Seaport Village.

Brechin Morgan, July 16-August 4, 2024

Renowned maritime artist Brechin Morgan lived many a sailor’s dream when he sailed his 27-foot cutter rigged sailboat Otter around the world, visiting 32 countries and traveling 32,000 miles. He has been painting from the 18 watercolor sketchbooks he filled on the voyage, the ten-volume journal, logs, memory, and boxes of reference photos. Summer sailing trips in New England waters and the vista here at Mystic Seaport Museum provide continued inspiration. Brechin will be at the Museum daily July 16 through August 4 in Clift Block in the Museum’s Seaport Village.

Serena Bates, August 6–10 and 13–17

Sculptor Serena Bates studied at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Art and considers herself to be a storyteller. A representational artist, she has an affinity for portraits and animals. She primarily works in clay, bronze, and stone. Serena will be at the Museum daily August 6 through 10 and August 13 through 17 in Clift Block in the Museum’s Seaport Village.

The Center for American Marine Art

The Center for American Marine Art is dedicated to bringing endangered historic American marine art to the forefront of our identity as a country through documenting and imaging works using the most advanced cultural heritage technology and techniques. They are creating a free database featuring high-resolution 3D images for use by museums, scholars, and the public, and developing virtual and national traveling exhibitions.

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Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures Plunges Audiences into the Mysteries of the Deep at Mystic Seaport Museum

A new immersive exhibition opens June 8, 2024, in the Collins Gallery at Mystic Seaport Museum.  The Australian National Maritime Museum and Flying Fish present Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures, an interactive exhibition that blends exploration and adventure in an imaginative setting—the kind immortalized by Jules Verne’s novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and celebrated in popular culture from Jacques Cousteau to the Octonauts. 

At the heart of this exhibition lies the fantastical submarine Nautilus inviting visitors to climb aboard to discover the inner workings of a deep-sea vessel. Curious, adventure-loving kids of all ages can take the helm, peer through periscopes, crank the propeller, test out the bunks, and delve into Captain Nemo’s Cabinet of Curiosities, filled with incredible marine specimens. The highly interactive experience offers insights into marine habitats, diving equipment, and maritime archaeology, providing immersive experiences for children and engaging content for adults. 

“At Flying Fish, we strive to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, and this partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum allows us to do just that. Through imaginative technology and masterful storytelling, this exhibition creates a multi-sensory experience that transports visitors into a world where exploration and wonder merge seamlessly,” said Jay Brown, Principal and Managing Director of Flying Fish. 

“Jules Verne’s novel was a work of imagination, encouraging wonder at the unknown world beneath our seas. There’s still so much we need to learn about the underwater world, and Voyage to the Deep will inspire the next generation of undersea explorers. Dive in!” said Dr. Peter Hobbins, Head of Content at the Australian National Maritime Museum. 

Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures includes a wide range of activities, from full-body experiences like slides and climbing structures to simple tabletop games. It’s an unforgettable journey that combines science education, exploration, and entertainment for families, students, and adventure seekers alike. 

“We are thrilled to offer this unique opportunity for everyone seeking adventure this summer. Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures will allow visitors to experience the magic of Captain Nemo’s world in this celebration of Jules Verne’s literary masterpiece.” said Margaret Milnes, Vice President of Visitor Journey. “We invite visitors to dive into the wonders of the deep sea to find their sea story at the Museum!” 

Visit to find your sea story within the rich tapestry of maritime history at Mystic Seaport Museum. Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures will be open daily throughout the summer, closing on September 2, 2024. 

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.

About Flying Fish 

A leading creator of traveling exhibitions, Flying Fish collaborates with top museums and science centers to produce extraordinary and influential experiences. Our exhibitions have impacted millions of visitors, from Melbourne to New York, generating sustainable income for their clients and inspiring fans worldwide. For Museums. By Museums. flyingfishexhibits.com

About Australian National Maritime Museum 

The Australian National Maritime Museum is Australia’s national centre for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology. The museum presents a changing program of stimulating exhibitions and events to share Australia’s maritime history and connect the stories, objects, people and places that are part of our country’s narrative. We welcome over 850,000 visitors annually including families, interstate and international tourists. Connecting with audiences outside of Sydney, interstate and across regional Australia is a big part of what we do. Our diverse touring exhibitions give regional communities the chance to view and learn more about the fascinating stories behind the National Maritime Collection.
www.sea.museum

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Riverfest returns to Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum kicks off summer early with Riverfest on Saturday and Sunday, June 1–2! There will be many activities to satisfy curiosities and adventurous spirits over this two-day event. Visitors will be able to tour visiting fishing vessels docked at the Museum and immerse themselves in special historical demonstrations like cod fishing, open-hearth cooking, and sail handling aboard historic vessels. Enjoy local seafood and beverages while listening to live music by the Mystic River. Shop at a variety of artisan vendor booths, and peruse the newest exhibitions: Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty, and the Sea and Spineless: A Glass Menagerie of Blaschka Marine Invertebrates. The Museum Boathouse will also be open, allowing visitors a chance to spend time out on the water with a captained boat ride or on their own in a sailboat, rowboat, or pedal boat.

This event is free for Members and included in general admission for non-members.

For a full schedule of events and to purchase tickets visit the event page here. Tickets are also available at the gate. Plan your visit to Riverfest at Mystic Seaport Museum and find your sea story!

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Mystic Seaport Museum Announces Debut of Mainsheet Publication

Mystic Seaport Museum proudly announces the debut of Mainsheet: A Journal of Multidisciplinary Maritime Studies, a groundbreaking journal that fills a field gap in peer-reviewed scholarship that has been left by the dissolution of the American Neptune and other similar journals over the last twenty years. This biannual publication, available both online and in print, sets itself apart with its multidisciplinary approach, global themes and accessibility, and innovative design and distribution. Mainsheet offers a unique platform for scholars worldwide to explore maritime issues spanning the past, present, and future. With a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, the journal welcomes perspectives from various disciplines, ensuring a rich and comprehensive dialogue on maritime topics. 

While Mainsheet maintains a global focus, each issue is tied with annual institutional initiative themes at Mystic Seaport Museum that drive exhibitions, programming, symposia, lecture series, and the Frank C. Munson Institute for American Maritime History. The first issue highlights maritime social history to align with the Museum’s new exhibition Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty, and the Sea. Highlights of the first issue include five peer-reviewed scholarly papers from leading scholars; an inaugural letter from Editor in Chief Christina Connett Brophy; a perspectives essay by guest editor Akeia de Barros Gomes; a photo essay capturing the experiences of workers aboard cargo ships during and after the COVID-19 crisis; features on boat preservation in Brazil, African miniature canoes, and a Viking ship model from the Museum’s collection; and poetry, book reviews, and listings for upcoming Museum exhibits and academic events. 

“Maritime studies are the key to our shared experience. It is impossible to consider our cultural, scientific, economic, social, or even physiological development without consideration of the sea above and below the surface. It is also impossible to understand where we are and where we are going without understanding where we have been. We hope to elevate and broaden deeper insight into how maritime studies, past, present, and future are an essential part of global heritage.” –Christina Connett Brophy, PhD, Mainsheet Editor in Chief, Senior Vice President, Mystic Seaport Museum. 

The editorial board represents a national and international team of invited expert scholars from various fields and partner institutions, with guest editors for themed editions. Scholarship from the print journal is simultaneously posted free and open access on the journal website, reflecting the Museum’s commitment to making scholarship available at no cost to researchers. Paid subscriptions to the print issue support this commitment. The print journal is full-color, perfect-bound, and designed to be a beautiful library addition. 

To purchase, subscribe, or access the journal website visit https://mysticseaport.org/mainsheet/. 

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Museum awarded $821,000 in Federal funding to Support Education Programming and the Historic Watercraft Collection

Mystic Seaport Museum is pleased to announce the receipt of two federal grants totaling $821,000 to support the Museum’s Center for Experiential Education and the historic watercraft collection. The Museum extends their gratitude to Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy for their support in securing this funding.

The Museum’s Center for Experiential Education Maritime Adventure Program will receive $570,000 from the U.S Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Education. The Maritime Adventure Program (MAP) engages under-resourced youth in experiential maritime and STEM education anchored in positive youth development to enhance their social, emotional, and leadership skills while also developing job skills. The program serves high school students affiliated with New London Youth Affairs in New London County, Connecticut. MAP aims to bridge Connecticut’s “opportunity gap” by offering young people from diverse backgrounds the chance to gain skills in marine carpentry, sailing, powerboating, astronomy, and navigation, along with learning about maritime heritage and marine conservation. Central to the program’s success is its positive youth development and mentoring model. Participants build confidence and competence through experiences and are encouraged to contribute their voices and take on leadership roles. All MAP participants will have the opportunity to apply their skills through off-campus experiential learning activities and participate in paid job readiness training, teaching essential workforce skills.  

A $251,000 grant from the National Park Service Save America’s Treasures Grant Program, will support preservation of and access to the Museum’s small craft collection. The watercraft collection at Mystic Seaport Museum began in 1931 with the acquisition of its first vessel, the sandbagger Annie, and over the last 90 years has grown to be the largest watercraft collection in the United States. It includes crafts ranging from rowboats to schooners and ships, rowing craft, canoes, and powered craft. This grant will aid in continued preservation efforts through support for the Wells Boat Hall within the Museum’s historic Rossie Velvet Mill.  

Museum President and CEO Peter Armstrong said, “We are pleased to receive this generous funding in recognition of the Museum’s continued effort to preserve historic artifacts while also using the maritime experience to positively impact youth for their future. We are rooted in history, but not stuck in the past, and we recognize our unique position to both protect and influence.” 

“This $821,000 investment will empower youth in our communities, supplying them with experiential programming at Mystic Seaport Museum, and help preserve the Museum’s nationally significant historic watercraft collection. Connecticut has a proud maritime history that must be protected and celebrated. I am proud to have advocated for federal funding for Mystic Seaport Museum, a leading national maritime museum,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. 

“The Mystic Seaport Museum is not only an incredible place to visit and learn about Connecticut’s seafaring past, but their team is also doing important work to shape the next generation of maritime leaders. The Maritime Adventure Program is a unique opportunity for high school students in New London to develop tangible skills like marine carpentry and sailing and learn more about conservation. I was proud to help secure this federal funding that will make sure more kids in the community have the chance to learn and grow at the Museum,” said Senator Chris Murphy.  

The Mystic Seaport Museum Center for Experiential Education serves over 10,000 students in 14 districts across the state in afterschool, overnight, and day programs. The Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in existence. The collection offers an overview of seafaring vessels’ development across time and culture. 

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.

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM

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

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  • Full Museum: Open Daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Grounds close at 6:00 p.m.
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Full Museum: Open Daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Grounds close at 6:00 p.m.

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

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