Find your sea story in a Mystic Seaport Museum SeaClass. A variety of classes are offered in-person at the Museum, for a hands-on learning experience, and digitally, designed to inspire curious minds, near and far, through episodes specially curated by Museum experts.
Introducing SeaClass: Digital Learning, the digital series that will inspire curious minds, near and far, through episodes specially curated by our museum experts. This season immerses us in the 19th-century whaling industry through stories, artifacts, and expert-led sessions that explore the impact of whaling then and now.
Premieres June 4. Subscribe on YouTube.
EPISODE 1 | Why Whaling? The Impact and Industry Explained
Why did people hunt whales—and what impact did it have? Join Michael Dyer, Curator of Maritime History, for a deep dive into the motivations and legacy of the whaling industry.
EPISODE 2 | Women in Whaling: Hidden Histories at Sea
Discover the often-overlooked stories of women in whaling history—their roles, contributions, and challenges. Featuring Maria Petrillo, Director of Interpretation.
EPISODE 3 | Whaling’s Cabinet of Curiosities
What parts of a whale were used—and how? Join Professor Jim Carlton of Williams College as we examine whale anatomy and its many historical applications.
EPISODE 4 | Maritime Navigation and Nautical Tools Explained
How did sailors find their way at sea? Learn about the tools and techniques of maritime navigation with Brian Koehler, Associate Director of the Treworgy Planetarium.
EPISODE 5 | Tools of the Whaling Trade: A Closer Look
Get an up-close look at the tools used by whalers at sea. Michael Dyer, Curator of Maritime History, breaks down how these tools worked—and what they tell us today.
EPISODE 6 | Massive Whaling Artifacts
Step aboard as we explore large-scale artifacts from the whaling era—ship parts, tools, and more—with Michael Dyer, Curator of Maritime History.
With SeaClass: In-Person Learning, learn new skills in authentic historic spaces with master craftspeople and teachers as your guides. Explore 19th-century open-hearth cooking, or make your own unique cards on an original 19th-century printing press. Try your hand at blacksmithing or woodcarving. Learn how to sharpen your workshop tools, or make original gifts in our unique sail-making skills classes. A variety of on-campus evening and Saturday classes are available for every skill level.
Mystic Seaport Museum SeaClass teachers include licensed sailing instructors and skilled historic interpreters who will guide you through making your own projects using 19th-century tools and techniques. Please note some classes require a prerequisite, and some are multiple sessions.
If you have any questions about our classes and workshops, or would like to book a private class, please call our Reservations Department at 860-572-5331, or email reservations@mysticseaport.org.
OPEN HEARTH COOKING CLASSES
Open hearth cooking classes are perfect for foodies on their own, or in small groups.
New England Classics
Learn the sometimes surprising history of your New England favorites. We’ll cook the originals over our open hearth in the Buckingham-Hall house and sit down to a cozy meal in the 1830s parlor!
Eating from the Sea
If you love seafood, this is the class for you! Learn to cook locally and sustainably harvested fish and shellfish in the historic open-hearth kitchen of the Buckingham-Hall house. Explore how Mystic and New England were shaped by fisheries and the international trade they are connected to. Wrap up the evening by sitting down to a delicious dinner in the dining room of the Buckingham-Hall house!
Ice Cream
Kick off your summer with the hottest trend of the 1800s—ice cream! Make ice cream with a traditional ice cream maker in the open-hearth kitchen of the Buckingham-Hall house, and eat ice cream for dinner! (shhhh, don’t tell your mom!)
75 Greenmanville Ave
Mystic, CT 06355
860-572-0711
info@mysticseaport.org
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