Category: Press Releases

Mystic Seaport Museum Receives $519,999 in Grant Awards from Connecticut Humanities

Post author By Mystic Seaport Museum
Post date January 13, 2022

Mystic, Conn. (January 13, 2022) – Connecticut Humanities, the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), has awarded Mystic Seaport Museum $519,999 in three separate grants.

The first is an award of $500,000 for a CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant. Administered in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Economic Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts, with funds from the Connecticut State Legislature, the operating grants assist organizations as they recover from the pandemic and maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public. The Museum will use the funds in part to improve accessibility and wayfinding on the grounds, enhance online content and access for remote learning, and support the expansion and merging of its educational offerings under the umbrella of the soon-to-launch Center for Experiential Education (CEE). The CEE represents a commitment by the Museum to serve youth in a more holistic and comprehensive manner by engaging young people at critical junctures of their lives through experiential maritime education.

The second award is a $10,000 grant from the Sustaining Humanities through the American Rescue Plan (SHARP) Capacity Grants, funded by the NEH and the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP). The Museum will use the funds to support diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) training across all departments. The firm Lord Cultural Resources — a global practice leader in bringing DEAI principles to the museum field — has been engaged to guide this work.

The final award of $9,999 is a Capacity Building Grant to cover Lord’s external information gathering and reporting in order to help the Museum better understand and engage with a more diverse public.

“As we continue to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic we are working hard towards positioning the Museum as a more sustainable and culturally relevant institution to as broad an audience as possible,” said Peter Armstrong, president of Mystic Seaport Museum. “This generous support from Connecticut Humanities will help the Museum, working in partnership with other community organizations, to emphasize the diversity of the maritime story to a much wider public.”

The Museum was one of 624 organizations in Connecticut that received CT Cultural Fund support totaling $16M from CT Humanities. The operating grants are part of $30.7M of support allocated to arts, humanities, and cultural nonprofits through CTH over the next two years by the CT General Assembly and approved by Governor Ned Lamont. Funds were provided through the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development and its Connecticut Office of the Arts.

Mystic Seaport Museum was one of 69 organizations in Connecticut that was awarded ARP funding totaling $640,192 from CT Humanities. CTH SHARP Capacity Grants provide organizations funding for projects including building their information technology infrastructure, making their collections more accessible, conducting strategic planning, and undertaking inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access work.

Media Contact

Dan McFadden
Director of Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
860.333.7155 (m)
dan.mcfadden@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, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

About Connecticut Humanities

CT Humanities (CTH) is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. CTH projects, administration, and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations, and gifts from private sources. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org.

About Connecticut Office of the Arts

The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is the state agency charged with fostering the health of Connecticut’s creative economy. Part of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, the COA is funded by the State of Connecticut as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.

Press Releases

NASA Selects Mystic Seaport Museum for a Community Anchor Award

Post author By Mystic Seaport Museum
Post date December 22, 2021

Mystic, Conn. (December 22, 2021) – NASA has selected Mystic Seaport Museum as one of a diverse group of Museums, science centers, libraries, and other informal education organizations from around the country designated as a NASA Informal Education Community Anchor.

The designation recognizes the Museum and its Treworgy Planetarium as a community resource and provides a $24,266 grant to bring space exploration to traditionally underserved areas and broaden student participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The Museum will address the local needs of middle school students in Eastern and Southern Connecticut by using and sharing NASA STEM engagement learning resources and opportunities.

“We are grateful to NASA for selecting our Museum to participate in this program, which will enable us to further our institutional goal of increasing outreach to underserved communities and diverse audiences,” said Brian Koehler, supervisor of the Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport Museum. “We are excited to create new opportunities where students can experience the feelings of discovery and confidence that space exploration and STEM engagement is all about.”

The grant will enable Planetarium educators:

To develop new hands-on STEM programs for middle school students in three formats: virtual, in-school, and on-site
To purchase the equipment and supplies needed to deliver these programs to students
To provide a series of these programs at no cost to select underserved community partners

Mystic Seaport Museum is one of only 21 recipients selected from across the United States. It is one of only two Community Anchors in New England.

The new programs will be rolled out in fall 2022.

Media Contact

Dan McFadden
Director of Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
860.333.7155 (m)|
dan.mcfadden@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, exhibit galleries, 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. The Museum strives to create an environment where visitors experience history in ways they have not before. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Press Releases

Lancer Hospitality to Become Primary Food & Beverage Operator for Mystic Seaport Museum

Post author By Mystic Seaport Museum
Post date November 15, 2021

Mystic, Conn. — (November 15, 2021) — Beginning January 17, 2022, Lancer Hospitality will be the primary food and beverage operator of the Mystic Seaport Museum grounds, a 19-acre destination which is comprised of multiple on-site eateries and food outlets, as well as a robust offering of private dining and event spaces. Founded in 1929, Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime museum, which was created to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past. The museum includes a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities.

“Lancer is excited to infuse our signature brand of imagination and hospitality into the campus and create a distinct culinary offering for this beloved destination”, said Matt King, President of Elior North America Dining & Events and Lancer Hospitality. “Mystic Seaport Museum is one of Mystic’s most visited attractions, and we look forward to bringing the experience to life for all of the senses.”

Lancer will be catering events for the Museum’s internal purposes, as well as its external corporate, group, and private events. The company will also manage weddings taking place on-site at the Museum, at various locations including the Boat Shed at Lighthouse Point, the steamboat Sabino, and the Meeting House. Lancer will be debuting new catering packages on January 1, 2022 that will celebrate the unique space that is Mystic Seaport Museum.

For guest-facing eateries, Lancer will reopen the espresso bar in the Thompson Exhibition Building on January 17, 2022, with a new coffee program, as well as a new grab-and-go artisan menu featuring local makers and bakers. In The Galley- the quick service café on campus- Lancer will be partnering with the Museum to rebrand and reimagine an entirely new and modernized food and beverage experience with expanded evening hours to join the other restaurants in town that have made Mystic a regional hub for food lovers.

“Our Museum is a one-of-a-kind destination that’s beloved by locals and travelers alike. We’re delighted to be partnering with Lancer Hospitality to continue to evolve our guest offerings, and to provide a distinct food experience that matches the breadth of experiential offerings at the institution,” said Peter Armstrong, President of Mystic Seaport Museum.

For more information about the museum’s special event capabilities and information about current exhibitions, visit mysticseaport.org.

Contact

Dan McFadden
Director of Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
860.333.7155 (m)
dan.mcfadden@mysticseaport.org

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum, founded in 1929, is the nation’s leading maritime museum. In addition to providing a multitude of immersive experiences, the Museum also houses a collection of more than two million artifacts that include more than 500 historic vessels and one of the largest collections of maritime photography in the world. Mystic Seaport Museum is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow Mystic Seaport Museum on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

About Lancer Hospitality Group

For over 30 years, Lancer Hospitality has been the trusted culinary partner for a rising portfolio of family-friendly attractions and destinations throughout the United States. Growing from a single ice cream truck to a team of more than 1,000 employees, Lancer has built a proud reputation for providing innovative, made-to-order restaurant-quality food made fast — with experiences that are defined by high quality ingredients and creative takes on beloved favorites. As a chef-driven organization, Lancer proudly collaborates with local farmers, artisans, bakers, and more to create truly memorable food experiences. Lancer’s signature service, penchant for perfection, and progressive menus have helped the company become a rising star in the world of weddings, corporate experiences, and large-scale private events. Lancer is defined by the company’s pride and commitment to taking great care of people, with no exceptions.

Press Releases

RIVERFEST IS THE PLACE TO BE OCT. 9-11!

Post author By Mystic Seaport Museum
Post date October 13, 2021

Mystic Seaport Museum hosting a weekend of music, inspired by the sea

Mystic, Conn., SEPT. 29, 2021 –Mystic Seaport’s Riverfest celebration is the place to be October 9-11 for a fun-filled weekend of music on the water. You won’t want to miss the pub sing and three days of folk and sea music performed across two stages. The music, inspired by the sea, will be infused with culture. There will also be ample opportunities to get out on the water, whether on a rowboat, sailboat or a captained boat ride.

“We continue to support and promote traditional and modern sea music from across the globe and to present it to as many visitors as possible. It may not be in the same format as people remember it, but welcome to the first Riverfest and welcome to the new Mystic Seaport Museum,” said Peter Armstrong, the New Museum President.

The musical line-up starts Saturday at 10 a.m. with Geoffrey Kaufman, David Littlefield, and Joseph Morneault. Also on Saturday is the Ancient Mariners Chanteymen, a sub-group of the Ancient Mariners Fife and Drum Corps, and The Johnson Girls, an all-female a-cappella song group based in New York City who perform music from a mélange of cultures, including the U.S., Britain, Ireland, Italy, French-Canada, and the Caribbean. Stick around for a traditional pub-sing of sea chanteys from 4-6 p.m. Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern on the Museum grounds will be open for purchase of drinks.

Sunday brings Cape Verdean musicians Ne Nas and Roy Tabwa to the stage, as well as Celtic-American roots music super group RUNA.

On Monday, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, there will be indigenous music and dance. Other acts include Sharks Come Cruisin’, which plays a mix of sea chanteys and maritime music. Audience participation and celebration is at the center of their music and live performances.

That is only a sampling of the performers. For a detailed line-up, head on over to this link devoted to Riverfest: https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/riverfest/.

And that’s not all! There will be food trucks, fall-themed crafts, rides on an antique Model A truck, and chowder demonstrations daily. Short Rib Cafe; Captain Scott’s Lobster; Jumping Cow Ice Cream; and Suya Joint are the food trucks that will be serving up treats.

The events fall within Museum hours between 10-6 and are included with Museum admission. More on that pricing here, https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/visit/hours-tickets

We can’t wait to see you there!

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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 Mystic Seaport Museum grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT, and includes 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, America’s oldest commercial ship still in existence. At Mystic Seaport Museum, we strive to create an environment where visitors not only learn from us, but we learn from them. The concept is called Public History and it allows our visitors to experience history in ways they haven’t before.

Tags live music, music festival, outdoor concerts, riverfest

Press Releases

Terry Hutchinson Receives America and the Sea Award

Post author By Mystic Seaport Museum
Post date September 27, 2021

190330_ROSS_PENSACOLA_0148.CR2 - AM38 training in Pensacola Bay, Pensacola, Florida.

Mystic, Conn., September 27, 2021 – Mystic Seaport Museum honored world champion sailor Terry Hutchinson with its 2021 America and the Sea Award. The prestigious award recognizes those individuals and organizations whose extraordinary achievements best exemplify the American character in the scholarship, exploration, adventure, aesthetics, competition, and freedom that the sea inspires. The award was presented at a gala fundraiser at the Metropolitan Club in New York City on September 14.

Hutchinson exemplifies the very pinnacle of competitive sailing through the remarkable leadership, integrity, courage, and humility he has demonstrated throughout his career in both victory and defeat. Mystic Seaport Museum President Peter Armstrong remarked, “His example in competitive sailing is an inspiration to younger generations to join the sport and represent themselves and their teams with dignity.”

Hutchinson’s notable accomplishments in sailing began in college at Old Dominion University, where he developed a reputation as an outstanding sailor and teammate, helping lead his team to four national championships. He went on to celebrate wins in the Key West Race Week, Congressional Cup, National Championship, North American Championship, and sixteen World Championships. With five America’s Cup campaigns under his belt and a sixth in the wings, in true Hutchinson spirit, he continues his quest for the Cup.

Past recipients of the America and the Sea Award include Hall of Fame sailor and President of North Technology Group, Thomas A. Whidden; American businesswoman and philanthropist Wendy Schmidt; groundbreaking America’s Cup sailor Dawn Riley, philanthropist and environmentalist David Rockefeller, Jr.; boat designers Rod and Bob Johnstone and their company J/Boats; author and historian Nathaniel Philbrick; maritime industrialist Charles A. Robertson; Hall of Fame sailor and author Gary Jobson; WoodenBoat Publications founder Jon Wilson; former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman; oceanographer and explorer Sylvia Earle; America’s Cup sailor William Koch; President and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation, Thomas Crowley; historian David McCullough; and legendary yacht designer Olin J. Stephens, II.

ABOUT MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM:

Tags America and the Sea Award Gala, mystic seaport museum

Press Releases

Remarkable Silver Objects and Wood Carvings Inspired by The Sea on Display Mystic Seaport Museum’s ‘Sea as Muse’ Exhibit Features 115 Unique Objects

Post author By Mystic Seaport Museum
Post date September 23, 2021

Mystic Seaport Museum’s ‘Sea as Muse’ Exhibit Features 115 Unique Objects

Mystic, Conn., SEPT. 23, 2021 – Dolphins and mermaids. Seaweed and sea urchins. Fast ships and ocean waves. Mystic Seaport Museum visitors to the Sea as Muse exhibit will find delightful details like these, inspired by sea life and life on the sea.

The Sea as Muse exhibit, funded by a generous grant from the Henry Luce foundation, opened in September and will run until summer 2022. On display are 115 remarkable objects, made by silversmiths and wood carvers that were inspired by the sea.

The exhibit showcases more than 50 silver trophies, many locally made in Meriden, CT or Providence, RI. Both places were home to some of the largest silver manufacturing companies in the country in the 1800s.

“In the late 19^th Century, silversmiths and wood carvers often drew inspiration from the sea, and we are lucky to be able to showcase more than 100 of these pieces,” said Peter Armstrong, the Museum President.

Many of the trophies were awards for yachting and sailing competitions and while previous exhibits focused on the yacht themselves and their often-famous owners, this exhibit offers a fresh perspective, focusing on the fine art and intricate design of the treasures themselves. The incredible detail on the trophies depicts dolphins, sea horses, mermaids, anchors, as well as seashells sculpted by hand.

One of the elegant trophies has a unique background in that it was a very expensive insult! In big regattas during the late 1800s, it was common to give the owners of losing yachts a presentation piece as recognition of their participation. However, the Livonia trophy was awarded by anonymous Americans in London who clearly intended to mock the Livonia’s owner.

It commemorates the results of a yachting challenge to the New York Yacht Club by James Ashbury of England, who was determined to win the America’s Cup for the Royal Harwich Yacht Club. In a series of 5 races in October 1871, Ashbury’s Livonia competed against 2 American yachts, winning just 1 race against the Columbia. Ashbury contested the result but after an investigation, the New York Yacht Club affirmed its original decision. This trophy was not awarded by the New York Yacht Club however, as the engraving tells us that it was commissioned and presented to Ashbury by “Americans in London” as acknowledgment of Ashbury’s single win. The fact that it only mentions 1 win out of 5 and that both Ashbury’s name and the name of his yacht were misspelled all point towards this trophy being one very expensive insult. The figures on top of the cup further suggest this, as the standing figure is Columbia, representing the United States, and the figure that kneels before her is Britannia, representing Great Britain. These two figures were depicted frequently in art and political cartoons that aimed to show that both nations were equally great, however on this trophy, Britannia shows subservience to Columbia—a subtle but clear suggestion of Britain’s—and Ashbury’s—inferiority.

Unsurprisingly, Ashbury refused the cup and it was returned to the unknown Americans who gave it to him.

One piece called “the Palladium Trophy,” was named after The Daily Palladium, a newspaper in New Haven. It was made in 1887 in Meriden, CT and donated by the publication. It sometimes is referred to as the “Neptune Trophy.”

The exhibit includes masterpieces from The Gorham Manufacturing Company and Tiffany, including three Astor Cups, named for John Jacob Astor IV, who donated a large sum of money to the New York Yacht Club to pay for two trophies a year that would bear his name.

While much of the exhibit showcases fine silver, there is an incredible wood carving portion, featuring items from the yacht Aloha II, which was owned by a wealthy American named Arthur Curtiss James. The carvings on display are from the yacht’s deck saloon and include a series of magnificently carved wood panels that illustrate excerpts from an ancient Norse epic poem.

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ABOUT MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM:

The Mystic Seaport Museum grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT, and includes 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, America’s oldest commercial ship still in existence. At Mystic Seaport Museum, we strive to create an environment where visitors not only learn from us, but we learn from them. The concept is called Public History and it allows our visitors to experience history in ways they haven’t before.

Tags Museum Exhibit, mystic seaport museum, sea as muse

Press Releases

ANTIQUE CARS DESCENDING UPON MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM!

Post author By Mystic Seaport Museum
Post date September 21, 2021

Mystic Seaport Museum hosting pre-1932 vehicle show at its maritime village

Mystic, Conn., SEPT. 21, 2021 – More than 100 pre-1932 vehicles are expected to be at Mystic Seaport Museum Saturday, Sept. 25 for the Museum’s 24^th Annual Antique Vehicle Show, By Land & By Sea. The Museum anticipates a delightful day of camaraderie and fun on the beautiful grounds of its maritime village.

By Land & By Sea is one of the many annual Museum events, and it’s a pleasure to present it for the public’s entertainment. Visitors will especially enjoy the afternoon Grand Parade around the Village Green and out through the Shipyard south gate.

“The Grand Parade of Vehicles is a vision to behold and is fun for all ages,” said Peter Armstrong, the Museum President.

Bring your camera and take advantage of a great opportunity to photograph motoring history. There will be conversation aplenty, lots of fun, and free rides for visitors.

The show is included as part of Museum admission and members, of course, get in free.

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ABOUT MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM:

Tags antique car show, by land and sea, mystic seaport museum

Press Releases

Last Chance for CT Kids to Visit Mystic Seaport Museum For Free On Labor Day!

Post author By Mystic Seaport Museum
Post date August 27, 2021

CT Kids Free all Weekend!

Mystic Seaport Museum hosting special “End of Summer” celebration during last free weekend

Mystic, Conn., AUG. 27, 2021 – On the last free weekend at Mystic Seaport Museum, the museum staff wants to thank the public by making the weekend extra special! There will be fun-filled festivities celebrating The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World exhibit, including a Hula demonstration by a Polynesian Dance Company, Cape Verdean Music and Dance, and Sea Music. The exhibit will last through March, but this is the last chance to see it for free.

The Grand Panorama is a 1,275-foot-long painting shown in sections at the museum. Painted in 1848, it depicts in fascinating detail the voyage of a whaleship on its journey around the globe.

On top of all this, there will be a full weekend of special programs and hands-on activities for kids and adults, celebrating the cultures, food, music, and journeys, from the Azores to West Africa, and Brazil to Hawaii, of The Grand Panorama. This is one event you won’t want to miss!

“At this end-of-summer event, we want to thank everyone who visited us this summer. We had a tremendous amount of visitors during the Free Museum Program, and we want to thank everyone for coming by putting on this special event for you,” said Peter Armstrong, the Museum President and CEO.

“Also, it will be the last chance to see the stunning Charles W. Morgan whaling ship out of the water. When the Morgan is out of the water it can be observed in its full magnificence.”

The Morgan, the last wooden whale ship in the world, will go back in the water shortly after Labor Day.

The Museum was able to offer free admission to visitors through Connecticut’s Summer at the Museum program. Even though the funding for that has already been used up, the Museum decided to continue to offer free passes so the public could benefit from its offerings.

Some highlights of the Labor Day festival include:

A flavorful trip around the world with Brazilian, Nigerian, & Peruvian food trucks from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Musical Performances.
Hear amazing stories from a panel of sailors who circumnavigated the world.
Dive deeper into the subject matter with a Panorama lecture.
See the stars of the Panorama in our Planetarium.
Brush up on your nautical fiction with our theatrical production, “Moby-Dick in Minutes.”
Younger visitors can enjoy crafts in our Home Port activity center.
Go on a Panorama scavenger hunt.
Check out wood-carving demonstrations by guest artists.
Get creative with your own chalk panorama.

All events and activities are included in Museum admission. Connecticut children and one accompanying adult are Free with Connecticut’s Summer at the Museum program all weekend.

ABOUT MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM:

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Tags ct kids free, labor day weekend, mystic seaport museum, panorama festival

Press Releases

Largest Wooden Boat Show In New England At Mystic Seaport Museum

Post author By Mystic Seaport Museum
Post date August 18, 2021

Mystic Seaport Museum expecting large gathering of boating enthusiasts

Mystic, Conn., AUG. 18, 2021 – A big gathering of wooden boats and enthusiasts throughout New England will converge at Mystic Seaport Friday through the weekend for the Wooden Boat Show and Antique Marine Engine Expo.

There will be more than 100 traditional and classic wooden boats of every type on display, from handcrafted kayaks to mahogany runabouts, to classic daysailers and schooners. This is the largest gathering of wooden boats and enthusiasts in New England.

In conjunction with the boat show, the Museum is also having its antique marine engine expo, which is one of the oldest major marine engine shows in the nation, with more than 300 exhibits. Many of the engines will be operating as well as the day they were first purchased. Steamers huffing and puffing, inboards chugging away in their mounting stands, and more. Enjoy this stroll through maritime engine history.

More information about the shows is available here:

https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/events/the-woodenboat-show/

https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/events/antique-marine-engine-expo/

ABOUT MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM:

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Tags mystic seaport museum, wooden boat show

Press Releases

Chris Sanders Named Director of the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard

Post author By Mystic Seaport Museum
Post date August 2, 2021

Mystic, Conn. (August 2, 2021) – Mystic Seaport Museum announced the appointment of Chris Sanders as the new director of the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard. Sanders succeeds longtime director Quentin Snediker, who will stay on at the Museum in his role as the Clark Senior Curator for Watercraft.

“Chris brings a wealth of ship and boatbuilding experience to the leadership of the duPont Preservation Shipyard. He has proven his knowledge and skill during the Mayflower II restoration project and many others since he started here, and I am excited to appoint him to this new position,” said Peter Armstrong, president of Mystic Seaport Museum.

Sanders is a native of Connecticut and attended the University of North Carolina, where he studied physics and psychology before he began his career in wooden boat restoration and construction. He is a graduate of the apprentice program at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum as well as the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, Rhode Island. Since his graduation, he has worked on restoration projects in six states, including several years in both Northern and Southern California. He ran his own boat restoration shop in San Diego for several years before deciding to return to New England. He returned with his family to Connecticut to work on the Mayflower II restoration at Mystic Seaport Museum. He has served as the lead shipwright in the duPont Preservation Shipyard for the last two years, and lives with his wife, Dr. Megan McCarthy Sanders, and daughter Vann in North Stonington.

The appointment is effective immediately.

As the Clark Senior Curator for Watercraft, Snediker is responsible for providing direction and leadership in the preservation and development of the Museum’s watercraft collection, which presently numbers more than 500 vessels of all sizes, ranging from small rowboats and kayaks to four National Historic Landmarks, including the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. Under Snediker’s leadership, the shipyard completed large-scale restorations on the Charles W. Morgan, the Mayflower II, the fishing vessel Roann, and the steamboat Sabino. He led the construction of the schooner Amistad, which was launched in 2000, and he managed the completion of significant maintenance work on the rest of the Museum’s fleet during his tenure in the position.

Media Contact

Dan McFadden
Director of Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
860.333.7155 (m)
dan.mcfadden@mysticseaport.org

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum, founded in 1929, is the nation’s leading maritime museum. In addition to providing a multitude of immersive experiences, the Museum also houses a collection of more than two million artifacts that include more than 500 historic vessels and one of the largest collections of maritime photography in the world. Mystic Seaport Museum is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. For more information, please visit www.mysticseaport.org and follow Mystic Seaport Museum on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

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