Join Museum Interpretation staff for a special day of hands-on demonstrations celebrating traditional maritime trades. Step into our historic trade shops to see how sails are crafted, explore domestic skills like weaving and sewing, and watch our shipsmiths forge tools like those once used aboard whaling vessels. Along the waterfront, lend a hand to the demonstration squad as they set sails on the Charles W. Morgan, or head to the Toy Boat Workshop to create a keepsake inspired by this iconic ship. There’s something for every age—come be a part of the story!
This event is included in general admission and FREE for Members.
Shipsmithing | James Driggs Shipsmith Shop (24)
Witness talented shipsmiths work on one of the most iconic pieces of whaling equipment, a harpoon!
Sailmaking | Charles Mallory Sail Loft (26)
Interact with interpreters as they share their work on a traditional canvas sailor’s bag and a modern sailmaking project.
Weaving and Candy Making | Buckingham-Hall House (11)
Learn how textiles were made in the 19th century versus how they are made today. Staff will also be making candy! Confectionary work was a domestic labor, but it could also be a business.
Firing a Cask | Cooperage (18)
Museum coopers will fire, bend, and finish a cask! Firing will take place in the morning, but the work will continue all day.
Dressmaking and Millinery | Burrows House (19)
Learn about the trades of dressmaking and millinery. These trades created opportunities for women to participate in industry by running their own shop and managing a successful business.
Ropework | Joseph Conrad; if rain, Chandlery (26)
Learn the art of ropework! Often used as a decorative addition to sailors’ crafts, ropework had its origin in rigging and splicing work that was essential on board ship.
Carving a Billet Head | Carve Shop (40)
Watch as staff in the carve shop apply traditional woodcarving to a modern restoration project.
Hands-on Printing | Print Shop (21)
Print your own keepsake in the print shop! Space is limited.
Build your own Ship | Toy Boats Workshop (55)
Try your hand at shipbuilding (the miniature version!) and build your own toy boat keepsake based on one of the Museum’s historic vessels.
MORNING
10:15 Shipyard Tour | Thames Keel Exhibit (49)
10:30 All About Whales: Craft Activity | Home Port (4)
10:15 Working Aloft on a Square Rigger ♪ | Charles W. Morgan
11:00 Mystic Seaport and the Morgan: Paid Walking Tour ** | Meet at Chandlery (26)
11:00 From Casks to Containers: Cargo Handling in the Age of Sail ♪ | Charles W. Morgan
11:20 Netmaking | Home Port (4)
11:30 Whaleboat Demonstration ♪ | Middle Wharf (20)
AFTERNOON
12:00 Zoo in the Sky | Treworgy Planetarium (9)
1:00 Breeches Buoy Demonstration | Village Green
1:00 Harvest Lights * | Treworgy Planetarium (9)
1:45 Work Songs of the 19th Century ♪ | Chapel (45)
2:00 Women in the Maritime Trades | Sailor’s Reading Room (42)
2:00 Help Make a Rope | Charles W. Morgan
2:30 Heave Away! Windlass Chanties ♪ | Charles W. Morgan
3:00 Harvest Lights * | Treworgy Planetarium (9)
3:15 Mystic Seaport and the Morgan: Paid Walking Tour ** | Meet at Chandlery (26)
3:30 Working Aloft on a Square Rigger ♪ | Charles W. Morgan
4:00 All About Whales: Craft Activity | Home Port
4:00 Shipyard Tour | Thames Keel Exhibit
4:15 Dogwatch: Sailors’ Arts and Crafts ♪ | Charles W. Morgan
4:45 Hercules Engine Demonstration | Hoop Shop (22)
*Tickets for Harvest Lights in the Treworgy Planetarium are $5 for Members and $8 for non-members. Free for children ages 3 and under.
**Tickets for Mystic Seaport and the Morgan: Paid Walking Tour are $10. Free for children ages 3 and under.
