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First Responders Receive Free Admission and Family Discount
Mystic, Conn. (May 21, 2015) — Mystic Seaport’s Safety on Sea and Shore Weekend honors the work of present-day emergency personnel, while also celebrating the people, methods, and vehicles involved in maritime rescues during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
As part of Connecticut’s Coast Guard Summer in celebration of the 225th anniversary of the founding of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the USCG Academy’s 100 years at its current location in New London, the Museum is collaborating with the USCG Auxiliary to promote and recognize the important work the service provides.
The event will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Plans for the weekend include: hands-on activities such as a bucket brigade, a man-overboard drill, and a breeches buoy rescue demonstration; historic apparatus on display including antique fire engines; and rescue animal demonstrations by the Newfoundland Club of New England.
The Old Mystic Fire Department’s Dive Rescue Team will visit with their vehicle, equipment, and personnel, and the Mystic Fire Department’s fire boat, Marine I, will dock at the Museum and crew members will answer questions about the vessel and its operations. Staff from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Boating Division will demonstrate how to properly use emergency flare guns and will give a presentation about safety in cold water, and the United States Power Squadron will demonstrate how to paddle safe when operating kayaks, canoes, and other paddle-driven watercraft.
Free Museum admission will be extended to all first responder personnel with proper identification as a way of saying “thank you” for their dedicated community service. Family members of personnel will receive the Museum’s discounted group admission rate: adult $20; youth (ages 6-17); $11.50 and free for children ages 5 and under.
The first responders discount applies to general admission only. The offer cannot be combined with any other discount.
About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial ship and the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum’s collection of more than two million artifacts includes more than 500 historic vessels and one of the largest collections of maritime photography in the country. The state-of-the-art Collections Research Center at Mystic Seaport provides scholars and researchers from around the world with access to the Museum’s renowned archives. Mystic Seaport is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $25 for adults and $16 for children ages 6-17. Museum members and children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/ and follow Mystic Seaport on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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MAYFLOWER II Departs for Plymouth
Mayflower II, the reproduction of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to Massachusetts in 1620, departed Mystic Seaport this morning to return to her homeport of Plymouth, MA. The journey is expected to take two days with the ship stopping overnight at State Pier in New Bedford, after which she will pass through the Cape Cod Canal and arrive in Plymouth sometime in the afternoon of Wednesday, May 20.
As Mayflower II has no engine, she is being towed by the tug Jaguar.
The ship has been at the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport since last December, where she has been undergoing the first phase of a multi-year restoration to prepare her for the 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival in 2020. Plimoth Plantation, the ship’s owner, wants to return her to the same condition she was in when she was sailed over from the United Kingdom in 1957. Mayflower II was a gift to the American people to commemorate the spirit of collaboration between the two countries during World War II.
“The key goal for this phase of the project was to determine the scope of work and come up with a detailed plan for the ship’s restoration that both addresses the ship’s needs and does so on a schedule that works for Plimoth Plantation,” said Dana Hewson, Mystic Seaport Vice President for Watercraft Preservation and Programs.
The ship was hauled out of the water and had her ballast removed to enable a complete marine survey of the hull. The work was carried out by Paul Haley of Capt. G.W. Full & Associates, who did similar survey work for the Mystic Seaport whaleship Charles W. Morgan during her restoration.
In addition to the survey, shipwrights and Plimoth crew members were able to attend to a number of important tasks, including plank replacement, fresh caulking of the hull and decks, and a new paint job. Patterns were taken of structural members that need to be replaced to enable Mystic Seaport shipwrights to prefabricate parts while the ship is in Plymouth over the summer.
The ship is expected to return to Mystic Seaport in December following Thanksgiving.
“This has been a great project for both museums,” added Hewson. “Both organizations bring different strengths to the table and we are learning a lot from each other.”
Plimoth Plantation announced today that Mayflower II is now scheduled to depart Mystic Seaport on the morning of Tuesday, May 19 for her return trip to Plymouth.
The ship is scheduled to cast off around 9 a.m., although the exact time is dependent on tide levels and weather conditions that morning.
The journey to Plymouth is expected to take two days. Once back at her berth, the ship will be inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and other preparations will be carried out to make her ready to reopen to visitors prior to the Memorial Day weekend.
The full-scale reproduction ship owned by Plimoth Plantation has been at Mystic Seaport to undergo an extensive survey and the first phase of multi-year restoration at the Museum’s Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard.
Mystic, Conn. (May 14, 2015)—Plimoth Plantation and Mystic Seaport announced today that Mayflower II is now scheduled to depart Mystic Seaport on the morning of Monday, May 18 for her return trip to Plymouth.
The delay is due to difficulties with the availability of a tugboat to tow the ship back to Massachusetts.
The ship is scheduled to cast off at 8 a.m., although the exact time is dependent on tide levels and weather conditions that morning. The journey to Plymouth is expected to take two days. Once back at her berth, the ship will be inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and other preparations will be carried out to make her ready to reopen to visitors prior to the Memorial Day weekend.
The full-scale reproduction ship owned by Plimoth Plantation has been at Mystic Seaport to undergo an extensive survey and the first phase of multi-year restoration at the Museum’s Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard.
For more information about Mayflower II and her restoration, visit www.plimoth.org/sos.
Images are available for download at the Mystic Seaport website.
About Plimoth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and a living museum dedicated to telling the history of Plymouth Colony from the perspective of both the Pilgrims and the Native Wampanoag people. Located less than an hour’s drive south of Boston in Plymouth, Massachusetts, (Exit 4, Route 3 south) and 15 minutes north of Cape Cod, the Museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week, from the third Saturday in March through the end of November 2015. Plimoth Plantation is a private, not-for-profit educational institution supported by admission fees, contributions, memberships, function sales and revenue from a variety of dining programs/services/special events and Museum Shops. Plimoth Plantation is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate and receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, private foundations, corporations, and local businesses. For more information, visit www.plimoth.org.
About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial ship and the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum’s collection of more than two million artifacts includes more than 500 historic vessels and one of the largest collections of maritime photography in the country. The state-of-the-art Collections Research Center at Mystic Seaport provides scholars and researchers from around the world with access to the Museum’s renowned archives. Mystic Seaport is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $25 for adults and $16 for children ages 6-17. Museum members and children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/ and follow Mystic Seaport on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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Spinning Yarns
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White Named Tourism Leader of the Year
The State of Connecticut today named Mystic Seaport President Steve White the 2015 Tourism Leader of the Year. The award honors an individual who has made a singular contribution to the advancement of the tourism industry in Connecticut.
“One word captures the essence of this leader and that is vision,” said Arthur Diedrick, chairman of the state’s Tourism Advisory Board, who presented the award to White at the annual Connecticut Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Hartford. When faced with the challenges of the recent recession, “rather than retreat he advanced the organization with a truly revolutionary vision.”
White was recognized for the Museum’s accomplishments since he assumed the position of president in 2009, most notably the restoration and 2014 38th Voyage of the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, a project that garnered national and international attention. Over the course of two months, the National Historic Landmark vessel sailed from Connecticut to six ports in southern New England drawing tens of thousands of visitors and generating awareness of the importance of maritime heritage and promoting the state as a tourism destination to a worldwide audience.
White was also acknowledged for the leadership role he and Mystic Seaport play in regional collaboration efforts. A charter member of the Greater Mystic Visitors Bureau, the Museum participates in numerous successful partnerships and promotions with the local and regional business community, including a joint pass, the Mystic Pass (“Sea Everything”), with the Mystic Aquarium, local businesses, and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum that is a very successful tool to drive sales at multiple points.
Additionally, Mystic Seaport has just embarked on a $15 million capital investment in the construction of a new exhibition building and campus enhancements that will greatly add to the Museum’s ability to present and host world-quality exhibits that will draw additional visitation to the region year-round.
“I am honored to accept this award, but I do so on behalf of our talented, dedicated staff who present the Museum to the public in a most compelling and memorable manner, and for the greater Mystic community who strive to make our corner of the state one of the great destinations in New England,” said White.
The annual award is open to any leader of a travel- or tourism-related organization headquartered in Connecticut.
According to a recent study released by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, the tourism industry supports more than 118,000 jobs statewide—including 80,000 direct jobs— representing 5.3 percent of all employment in the state.
Plimoth Plantation and Mystic Seaport announced today that Mayflower II is currently scheduled to depart Mystic Seaport on the morning of May 16 for her return trip to Plymouth. In the past several months, the full-scale reproduction ship owned by Plimoth Plantation has undergone an extensive survey and a first phase of restoration work at the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport.
Mayflower II will be towed by tugboat back to Plymouth, a trip that should take an estimated two days. Timing for the ship’s return is dependent on tide levels and weather conditions. Once back at her berth in Plymouth, the ship will be inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and other preparations will be carried out to make her ready to reopen to visitors prior to the Memorial Day weekend.
“This iconic ship is a leading tourism attraction in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Paul Cripps of Destination Plymouth, “drawing millions of people from around the world to Plymouth’s historic waterfront to learn about the United States’ early history. We’re glad she’ll be back for the busy summer and fall season.”
Work on Mayflower II continued last December on a multi-year restoration plan. The goal is to restore the ship to her original condition in time for the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival in 2020. Inspections in 2013 revealed that the ship is in need of a major refit, which is normal for a nearly 60-year-old wooden ship. In the past several months at the shipyard, a comprehensive marine survey, both in and out of the water, revealed the nature and extent of all the repairs that need to be made in the years to come. The survey required that the ship’s 130 tons of iron and stone ballast be completely removed for inspection. A number of repairs were made to the ship’s hull, including the replacement of planks, frames, and much caulking of the seams both below the waterline and up on deck.
Mayflower II’s future vitality depends on fundraising efforts to complete the significant restoration of the 58-year-old wooden ship.
“We’re currently working on plans for fundraising for the remainder of this multi-year, multi-million dollar restoration project,” said Ellie Donovan, executive director of Plimoth Plantation. “We’re pleased with the excellent work that Mystic Seaport accomplished this winter and we look forward to continuing this exciting collaboration.”
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum with vast restoration experience and knowledge of historic wooden vessels. The Museum recently completed the restoration of its 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, a National Historic Landmark vessel and America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat. The Morgan sailed on her historic 38th Voyage last summer.
“We have been privileged to have Mayflower II with us these past several months,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport. “Plimoth Plantation and Mystic Seaport have created a very effective collaboration and we are pleased that we have been able to apply our expertise in maritime restoration to support the mission of a fellow museum.”
Specifics on the timing of the ship’s departure from Mystic Seaport and her arrival in Plymouth will be released closer to the departure day. Updates will be posted on this website and on Mystic Seaport’s social media outlets, including the Museum’s Facebook page.
For more information about Mayflower II and her restoration, visit www.plimoth.org/sos.
Following First Phase of Restoration at Mystic Seaport,
Historic Ship Heads Home for Busy Visitor Season
Plymouth, Mass. — (May 8, 2015) Plimoth Plantation and Mystic Seaport announced today that Mayflower II is currently scheduled to depart Mystic Seaport on the morning of May 16 for her return trip to Plymouth. In the past several months, the full-scale reproduction ship owned by Plimoth Plantation has undergone an extensive survey and a first phase of restoration work at the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport.
Mayflower II will be towed by tugboat back to Plymouth, a trip that should take an estimated two days. Timing for the ship’s return is dependent on tide levels and weather conditions. Once back at her berth in Plymouth, the ship will be inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and other preparations will be carried out to make her ready to reopen to visitors prior to the Memorial Day weekend.
“This iconic ship is a leading tourism attraction in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Paul Cripps of Destination Plymouth, “drawing millions of people from around the world to Plymouth’s historic waterfront to learn about the United States’ early history. We’re glad she’ll be back for the busy summer and fall season.”
Work on Mayflower II continued last December on a multi-year restoration plan. The goal is to restore the ship to her original condition in time for the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival in 2020. Inspections in 2013 revealed that the ship is in need of a major refit, which is normal for a nearly 60-year-old wooden ship. In the past several months at the shipyard, a comprehensive marine survey, both in and out of the water, revealed the nature and extent of all the repairs that need to be made in the years to come.
The survey required that the ship’s 130 tons of iron and stone ballast be completely removed for inspection. A number of repairs were made to the ship’s hull, including the replacement of planks, frames and much caulking of the seams both below the waterline and up on deck.
Mayflower II’s future vitality depends on fundraising efforts to complete the significant restoration of the 58-year-old wooden ship. “We’re currently working on plans for fundraising for the remainder of this multi-year, multi-million dollar restoration project,” said Ellie Donovan, executive director of Plimoth Plantation. “We’re pleased with the excellent work that Mystic Seaport accomplished this winter and we look forward to continuing this exciting collaboration.”
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum with vast restoration experience and knowledge of historic wooden vessels. The Connecticut museum recently completed the restoration of its 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, a National Historic Landmark vessel and America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat. The Morgan sailed on her historic 38th Voyage this past summer.
“We have been privileged to have Mayflower II with us these past several months,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport. “Plimoth Plantation and Mystic Seaport have created a very effective collaboration and we are pleased that we have been able to apply our expertise in maritime restoration to support the mission of a fellow museum.”
For more information about Mayflower II and her restoration, visit www.plimoth.org/sos.
About Plimoth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and a living museum dedicated to telling the history of Plymouth Colony from the perspective of both the Pilgrims and the Native Wampanoag people. Located less than an hour’s drive south of Boston in Plymouth, Massachusetts, (Exit 4, Route 3 south) and 15 minutes north of Cape Cod, the Museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week, from the third Saturday in March through the end of November 2015. Plimoth Plantation is a private, not-for-profit educational institution supported by admission fees, contributions, memberships, function sales and revenue from a variety of dining programs/services/special events and Museum Shops. Plimoth Plantation is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate and receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, private foundations, corporations, and local businesses. For more information, visit www.plimoth.org.
About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial ship and the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum’s collection of more than two million artifacts includes more than 500 historic vessels and one of the largest collections of maritime photography in the country. The state-of-the-art Collections Research Center at Mystic Seaport provides scholars and researchers from around the world with access to the Museum’s renowned archives. Mystic Seaport is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $25 for adults and $16 for children ages 6-17. Museum members and children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/ and follow Mystic Seaport on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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Modern Marine Masters to Feature Leading Contemporary Maritime Artists
Mystic, Conn. (May 6, 2015) – The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport is proud to open its 2015 season with the 36th Annual Spring Exhibition and Sale, Modern Marine Masters, on Sunday, May 17. The exhibition celebrates the timeless beauty of the sea and ships with contemporary art created by award-winning artists from around the globe.
Each of these contemporary masters continues the tradition of preserving and celebrating the art of the sea by transferring his or her experience into a vivid and visual expression, one that may evoke a mood, record an important moment in maritime history, or capture the enduring challenge of the sea.
This year’s exhibition will include a special “show within a show” of three featured artists — David Bareford, Neal Hughes, and Ronald Tinney. In addition, works by more than 50 invited contemporary masters will be on display, featuring the timeless beauty of the sea with ships, sailing yachts, fishing vessels, wildlife, and marshes in paintings, drawings, sculpture, and scrimshaw.
“We are proud to present this invitational show as it represents such a talented group of artists who are creating some of today’s most exciting maritime art. Each piece truly portrays the maritime experience,” said Jeanne Potter, director of the Maritime Gallery.
Modern Marine Masters will be open through July 19. The Maritime Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information, please call the Gallery at 860.572.5388 or email gallery@https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/
About the Maritime Gallery
The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport is the nation’s foremost gallery specializing in contemporary marine art and ship models. For more than 35 years, the Gallery has been privileged to exhibit the works of leading international maritime artists. Located at historic Mystic Seaport, the Gallery overlooks the beautiful Mystic River attracting art lovers and collectors from around the world. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org/gallery.
