Mystic, Conn. (June 4, 2018) — On June 16-17, Mystic Seaport Museum will be transformed into a celebration of Viking culture, complete with craft demonstrations, live performances, and on-the-water activities.
The weekend coincides with the opening of two new exhibitions this spring: The Vikings Begin: Treasures from Uppsala University, Sweden, a display of one of the world’s finest early Viking-age collections; and Science, Myth, and Mystery: The Saga of the Vinland Map, the story of a controversial parchment map that created a firestorm in 1965 as it suggested Norse knowledge of the New World before Columbus sailed.
“Vikings seem to be everywhere in popular culture today, yet very few of us know what it was like to live the life of a Viking,” said Arlene Marcionette, public programs project manager at the Museum. “How did they accomplish basic activities like gathering food, cooking, sailing, and voyaging?”
Visitors can explore the exhibitions, walk through a Viking encampment by Draugar Vinlands, sample Scandinavian fare, hear live music and watch dramatic performances, and see a Nordic boat-building demonstration. There will be hands-on activities and games for children and adults throughout the day, and a special Planetarium show on Viking navigation.
Other highlights from the weekend include:
- Craft demonstrations and displays including woodworking, blacksmithing, Norse jewelry, and cooking
- Children may build a toy Viking longship
- Mead brewing demonstrations and sales
- Games of Kubb
- Fjord horses
- A display and demonstration of Norse boats
- Sea Music with Lynn Noel, the Scandinavian Women’s Chorus, and the Icelandic group FUNI
- A dramatic Vikings performance by Flock Theatre
- A Viking beard contest
- Birds of prey demonstration from the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
The reproduction Viking longship Draken Harald Hårfagre will be open for free tours.
Viking Days activities are included with regular Museum admission (separate charge for food, beverages, Planetarium shows, toy boat building and children’s crafts).
For a complete list and schedule of all activities please visit mysticseaport.org/vikingdays.
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. The iconic Thompson Exhibition Building is a state-of-the-art gallery that is hosting The Vikings Begin: Treasures from Uppsala University, Sweden through September 30, 2018. Mystic Seaport Museum is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/ and follow Mystic Seaport Museum on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
