Category: News

Mystic Seaport officially opened its newest exhibit, “Ships, Clocks & Stars: The Quest for Longitude” with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, September 19. Museum staff and dignitaries gathered in front of the R.J. Schaefer Building to offer some brief comments and declare the exhibit open to the public.

The exhibit, on loan from the National Maritime Museum in London, was created to commemorate the tercentennial anniversary of the passing of the 1714 Longitude Act, which offered a prize to anyone who could demonstrate a reliable and accurate method to determine longitude at sea. It chronicles how some of the leading minds of the 17th and 18th centuries applied astronomy, horology, the study of the earth’s magnetism, and other disciplines in their quest to discover a way for mariners to know where they were at sea. Some highlights of the exhibit include four of John Harrison’s timekeepers, one of the earliest sextants ever constructed, the sea watches Captain James Cook and Lt. William Bligh carried on their Pacific voyages, and a pamphlet from the library of Sir. Isaac Newton.

“We are very proud and excited to be able to bring this remarkable exhibit to Mystic Seaport,” said Museum President Steve White. “It demonstrates a sincere collaboration between two of the leading maritime museums in the world, and also the high quality of exhibition visitors can expect from us as we move into a new era for Mystic Seaport with the completion next year of the new Thompson Exhibition Building.”

White was joined at the ribbon cutting by Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2); Dava Sobel, author of the bestselling book Longitude; Will Andrewes, a consultant and horology expert who was instrumental in creating the exhibit; and Connecticut state Sen. Andrew Maynard. Once the ribbon was cut, the assembled crowd was invited in to view the exhibit for the first time.

“Ships, Clocks & Stars” will run through March 28, 2016, after which time it will move to the Australian Maritime Museum in Sydney.

Construction on the new Thompson Exhibition Building continued throughout the summer with the excavation of the site and the pouring of the concrete foundation. In the end, a total of 6,450 cubic yards of dirt fill will be required to raise the grade above the level required for flood and storm protection.

The building’s systems infrastructure–water and sewer lines, electrical, IT, and the pipes for the network of geothermal wells–will be installed within the fill. Once in place, the sub-grade will be covered with crushed stone and a layer of foam insulation and a concrete pad will then be poured for the finished floor.

Beginning in early October, the 105-foot glued-laminate beams that support the arched roof will begin to be erected. They will arrive in sections from the factory in Quebec and be hoisted into position and assembled on site. Once the first three of the beams are in place, separate teams will follow and install the building’s sheathing and roofing. The goal is to have the structure weather-tight by winter.

Click on the image to begin a slide show of the recent work.

As part of the Museum’s digital education initiative, six high school students from St. Scholastica’s College in Glebe, Australia joined Mystic Seaport this week via remote video to learn about public history and American maritime heritage.

This was the first international virtual education program for the Museum.

Their teacher said the students were nearing the end of their term and had exams on their minds, but this break from the normal school day gave them a chance to learn about the role that museums play when it comes to teaching the public about history, science, and other subjects.

Krystal Rose, Manager of Digital Education Initiatives at Mystic Seaport, conducted the virtual class from the video studio in the Museum’s Collections Research Center. She explained the practice of public history through the many activities and programs that the Museum engages in, including the 38th Voyage of the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaling ship in the world.

The students were particularly intrigued by how a vessel that was once used to kill and process whales for oil and baleen could also be used to bring awareness to the conservation of marine mammals. They learned about the Museum’s partnership with the scientists of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries during the voyage, and about the 85 “38th Voyagers” who traveled on the ship. Comprised of a diverse group, including scientists, poets, artists, historians, teachers and other scholars, they interpreted and shared the Morgan’s message through their own projects—a great example of public history. In addition, the students also learned about how museums gather and use artifacts in different ways from exhibition to publication.

“It was very exciting to be able to share our work with students so far away, and to see their curiosity and enthusiasm for the material,” said Rose.

From August 5-7, Mystic Seaport, with support from the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council, hosted the second-annual summer institute for this year’s Teachers of the Year.This professional development opportunity at the Museum enabled 14 educators to spend three days learning about maritime history and science from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Participants learned how to utilize the Museum and its collections in their classrooms through active participation and interaction with a variety of staff members, hands-on activities, primary source workshops, and guided exploration of the exhibits and grounds of Mystic Seaport.

“This institute is a great way for us to connect educators with the resources of the Museum and our collections and help all of us figure out new ways to incorporate maritime heritage into their lesson plans,” said Sarah Cahill, the Director of Education at Mystic Seaport.

The Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952, sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Education (CSDE) as a way to recognize and honor teacher excellence. According to the Department, this award does not attempt to identify the “best” teacher, but rather an educator who will “serve as a visible and vocal representative of what is best in the profession.”

Cara Quinn, a sixth-grade teacher at Sunset Ridge School in East Hartford, is the recipient of the 2015 Connecticut Teacher of Year Award. Through a rigorous selection process, Quinn was selected from among four finalists, 15 semifinalists, and over 100 district-level Teachers of the Year to represent the State of Connecticut’s educational system on a national level. Quinn has distinguished herself as an educator who strives to help children in need, committing herself to closing the achievement gap.

“I draw my inspiration for teaching by watching my students embrace these concepts and ideas. Their enthusiasm for learning, care for one another and quest to maximize their potential is what invigorates me and solidifies my commitment to teaching,” Mrs. Quinn said in a CSDE press release. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to make a positive contribution in our world each day through the work that I so dearly love.”

Quinn, along with 13 other finalists who were invited to attend the institute, will be using the vibrant history of Mystic Seaport as a means to expand their horizons as educators, and the minds of their students. Through the Museum’s two-million historical artifacts, programs, and educational opportunities, Mystic Seaport is pleased to help foster education and growth in Connecticut’s schools.

Saturday, August 8, will see the launching of a very rare vessel at Mystic Seaport: An authentic mishoon, or dugout canoe, built by members of the New England Wampanoag Tribe.

The mishoon is a project of the Pequot Museum and Research Center in nearby Mashantucket. The 30-foot dugout was constructed by carefully burning out the interior of a poplar log. The project of was led by Jonathan Perry and Darius Coombs, with assistance from members of several Native American communities. Both Perry and Coombs have extensive knowledge of the burning of mishoons. Perry, a former Plimoth Plantation staff member and current cultural officer at Martha’s Vineyard Aquinnah Cultural Center, and Coombs, Plimoth Plantation’s director of Wampanoag and Algonkian Interpretive Training, learned their skills at Plimoth Plantation and continue to share their knowledge through experimental archaeology.

The mishoon will be on display at the Museum’s Australia Beach until Saturday, when New England tribal members will hold a traditional canoe blessing ceremony at 10:15 a.m. at Middle Wharf to celebrate the launch of the mishoon. Immediately following the ceremony, twelve New England Tribal members will embark on a six-mile round-trip row to the mouth of the Mystic River, stopping from 12:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at Mystic River Park and Seaport Marine in downtown Mystic for paddling demonstrations, an educational exhibition featuring Native artists, drummers and a team of archaeologists and experts answering questions and highlighting the historical significance of the area to the Native American community.

The mishoon then will return to Mystic Seaport and remain on display until mid-August when it is returned to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center.

The Civil War comes to Mystic Seaport this weekend.

In partnership with the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Commission, Mystic Seaport will host one of the final Civil War encampments of the war’s 150th anniversary July 18-19. More than 200 uniformed reenactors from several states will set up camp on the Museum’s Village Green to carry out infantry drills, conduct artillery demonstrations, and engage in mock battle. Visitors will be able to see a wide variety of displays and speak with naval and civilian reenactors.

A highlight of the event will be a Civil War scavenger hunt with a Civil War theme, “The Hunt for the Australia.”

“You’ve never seen anything like this,” said Matt Warshauer, professor of history at Central Connecticut State University and co-chair of the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Commission, “and this event offers our guests something extra, a real twist.” Warshauer explains that a special Civil War scavenger hunt will take place, “The Hunt for the Australia”.

“Everyone loves a good mystery, and we’re providing an amazing story of a Confederate ship, the Australia, that was captured by Union forces and brought to Mystic,” explains Warshauer. “Inside the hold is a secret list that Confederates can’t allow to be found.”

The result: Rebel prisoners with a top-secret mission, a prison break, and a battle for control of the Seaport.

“The Hunt for the Australia” will be a fun challenge for the entire family. Come and track down the hidden clues, find evidence, interview soldiers and sailors, and locate the secret list. Special prizes will be awarded. “The scavenger hunt is something different,” says Warshauer, “and will add to our already outstanding Civil War exhibits and the truly authentic roles that our many reenactors perform.”

Dr. Glenn Gordinier, the Robert G. Albion Historian at Mystic Seaport, notes the Australia is a real vessel on exhibit at the Museum and may be the only surviving southern blockade runner still in existence. “These were ships that ran the Union blockade to provide supplies to the South during the war,” explains Gordinier. “Her present condition is mostly a skeleton of a ship, which makes her perfect for a mystery scenario.”

The Commemoration has been a four-year anniversary that is wrapping up this summer. Connecticut has been one of the most active states in the nation, holding hundreds of historical events and talks, all of which have highlighted Connecticut’s unique, historical importance during the Civil War. Warshauer says “Connecticut has been a leader in recognizing New England’s role in the war and Mystic Seaport is a perfect place for us to begin the close of the Commemoration. It is one of the most important and fun history sites in New England and its 19th-century village is ideal for a Civil War event of this magnitude. There may never be another encampment quite like this one.”

The Civil War Encampment is made possible by a grant from Connecticut Humanities and the generous support of Travelers Insurance.

The encampment will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days and is included in Museum admission.

About the CCWCC
The CCWCC was created by Governor M. Jodi Rell in 2010 and directed to coordinate activities across Connecticut to commemorate the state’s involvement in the Civil War.  The Commission is co-chaired by Dr. Booker DeVaughn, president emeritus of Three Rivers Community College, and Dr. Matthew Warshauer, professor of history at Central Connecticut State University. Members of the Commission include history and humanities professionals from across the state.