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Peter Armstrong to embark on a new journey after completing a pivotal phase of leadership at Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic, Conn. (June 20, 2025) – Mystic Seaport Museum President and CEO Peter Armstrong has announced that he will be stepping down from his role later this summer. Armstrong, who has led the Museum since 2020, will return to his native England to be closer to family. His final day at the Museum will be August 6. 

“It has been a joy and a great honor to lead this organization through the challenges of COVID and help reestablish it as one of the world’s foremost maritime museums,” said Armstrong. “My family has been instrumental in supporting these worthy endeavors, and while I will miss the colleagues and community that I’ve had the privilege to work alongside, it’s time for my wife and I to return the favor. Like many, we now find ourselves balancing the responsibilities of caring for an aging parent and embracing the joys of becoming more present and active grandparents to our growing family. When I arrived in Mystic, my goal was to lay a strategic foundation that would guide this Museum into its centennial and secure its success for the next 100 years—and I believe that, through the work of the past five years, the Museum is now well positioned to do so.” 

During his tenure, Armstrong brought renewed vision and momentum to the Museum. He spearheaded the development of Charting Our Course, a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines the Museum’s priorities and long-term goals. He launched the first phase of the campus master plan and created the American Institute for Maritime Studies (AIMS)establishing the Museum as a leader in maritime research and publishing. 

Armstrong also oversaw several significant capital projects, including the restoration of 30,000 square feet of the historic Rossie Mill into the Wells Boat Hall—slated for completion in August—which will serve as the future home of the American Watercraft Collection; upgrades to the floating docks at the award-winning Mystic Seaport Museum Marina; and most recently facilitated a partnership with Greenwich Hospitality Group to bring their newest hotel, Delamar Mystic on the Museum grounds — a privately owned property that enhances the visitor experience and complements the campus environment. Each of these projects represents a pivotal addition to the Museum’s physical and experiential footprint. His commitment to fostering community through partnerships and collaboration has left a legacy, solidifying the Museum’s ties locally and beyond. 

“We are all grateful to Peter for his hard work and dedication over the past five years.  He successfully led the Museum out of the COVID pandemic and back into being a vibrant, active, award-winning Museum.  Peter designed and executed a substantial reorganization of the Museum which has better positioned us for the future, by fostering collaborative and collegial effort amongst and across all stakeholders,” stated Richard Clary, Board Chair at the Museum.   

To ensure a smooth transition, Christopher Freeman, Vice President of Advancement and 27-year veteran of the Museum, will assume the role of Interim CEO while the Board of Trustees form a search committee to identify Armstrong’s successor.  Freeman brings extensive institutional knowledge and a deep commitment to the mission, ensuring stability and continuity during this period of leadership transition. 

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Mystic Seaport Museum Honored as Silver Stevie® Award Winner in 2025 American Business Awards®

Mystic Seaport Museum Honored as Silver Stevie® Award Winner in 2025 American Business Awards®

Stevie winners will be celebrated during gala event on June 10 in New York

Mystic, Conn. (May 7, 2025) – Mystic Seaport Museum was named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the Marketing Campaign of the Year Non-profit category in the 23rd Annual American Business Awards® today. 

The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.’s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the United States. are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small.  

More than 3,600 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Startup of the Year, Executive of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Thought Leader of the Year, and App of the Year, among others.  Mystic Seaport Museum was nominated in the Marketing Campaign of the Year category for Non-Profit Organizations. 

As the nation’s leading maritime museum, Mystic Seaport Museum believes the sea connects us all—through stories of immigration, family legacies, sailing, or transformative experiences on or near the water. In 2024, the Museum launched the Find Your Sea Story campaign to showcase the rich human experiences embedded within our collections, exhibitions, and vessels. Through storytelling, visitors go beyond simply viewing an “object” to understanding the broader narrative that the object or artifact represents. This campaign sparks curiosity, exploration, joy, and nostalgia—nurturing a sense of belonging and illustrating the profound ways the sea connects us all. Through this campaign, the Museum has reached new audiences and uncovered incredible stories. 

More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners. 

Judges’ comments included: “This campaign stands out for its strategic vision, creative execution, and measurable success in connecting diverse audiences to America’s maritime legacy,” and “The campaign demonstrates exceptional strategic planning, execution, and results in connecting audiences with maritime history through storytelling. . . . Its comprehensive multimedia strategy effectively integrates emotional storytelling with innovative outreach efforts.” 

“Organizations across the United States continue to demonstrate resilience and innovation,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. “The 2025 Stevie winners have helped drive that success through their innovation, persistence, and hard work. We congratulate all of the winners in the 2025 ABAs and look forward to celebrating their achievements during our June 10 gala event in New York.” 

Sophia Matsas, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, stated, “This wasn’t just a campaign—it was a living, breathing expression of our mission. Find Your Sea Story was a true omnichannel initiative, driven by storytelling, strategy, creativity, and collaboration. It invited audiences to forge a personal connection with the sea through our world-class exhibitions, historic vessels, family activities, seaport village, shipyard projects, and immersive on-the-water experiences.” 

Visit findyourseastory.com to learn more about the campaign and watch the mini-documentary series that takes viewers on a voyage, revealing the profound and enduring connections between individuals and the sea—and visit the Museum to find your sea story. 

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2025 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.   

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, Connecticut, 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, XYouTube, and Instagram.

About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Sponsors of The 2025 American Business Awards include HCLTech, Melissa Sones Consulting, and SoftPro. 

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Mystic Seaport Museum Announces Exciting Lineup of Activities, Events, and Exhibitions in June!

Mystic Seaport Museum Announces Exciting Lineup of Activities, Events, and Exhibitions in June!

Mystic, Conn. (May 29, 2025) – This summer, Mystic Seaport Museum invites visitors of all ages to explore, connect, and discover their sea story at the nation’s largest maritime museum. Rooted in the belief that the sea connects us all, the Museum offers an enriching lineup of events, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences designed to inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience. 

From daily water excursions and historic demonstrations to family-friendly exhibits and live performances, the Museum’s 2025 summer season is filled with opportunities to engage with New England’s maritime heritage and spend quality time with your family and friends. 

Ongoing Daily Activities Include: 

  • Summer of the Morgan: special activities onboard the Charles W. Morgan, scavenger hunt and activity booklet, storytelling, photo opportunities, Moby-Dick marathon, and the Morgan’s 184th birthday celebration on July 19 and 20. 
  • Get out on the Water: Rowboats, pedal boats, and sailboats from the Boathouse, and captained cruises aboard the National Historic Landmark vessel Sabino. 
  • Family Fun: Discovery activities at the Funk Children’s Museum, Toy Boat Workshop, Discovery Barn, and ships playscape. Daily educational and immersive shows in the Treworgy Planetarium. 
  • World-class Exhibitions: Powerful exhibitions explore the maritime histories in Indigenous, African, and African-descended worldviews and experiences; the local commercial fishing industry and regional connections; the history and lasting impact of whaling in our newest exhibition Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact; and more. 

June Highlights: 

  • Father’s Day Weekend FestivitiesJune 14–15
    Enjoy the Revolutionary War Encampment on Saturday, and on Sunday, relax by the river with live music. All weekend, visit the model train show, take a ride in a vintage Model A truck, get out on the water, and give dad a special Father’s Day card from the Print Shop. 
  • Revolutionary War EncampmentJune 14
    Step into 18th-century life with reenactors from Connecticut regiments. Activities include demonstrations of historical medical practices, trades, and shipboard life, culminating in a celebratory parade at 3:30 p.m. as news of the signing of the Declaration of Independence reaches the seaport! 
  • New London Big Band Father’s Day ConcertJune 15 at 2:00 p.m.
    A live performance by Sean Nelson’s 17-piece jazz orchestra. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an afternoon of upbeat jazz and swing classics. Concert is included with Museum admission and free for Members. 
  • Juneteenth Commemoration CeremonyJune 19 at 3:00 p.m.
    Join the Museum in honoring Juneteenth with poetry by Rhonda Ward, a presentation by historian John Mills, and music by the Niantic Community Church Gospel Choir. 
  • WoodenBoat ShowJune 27–29
    Hosted in partnership with WoodenBoat Publications, this annual event features over 100 traditional and classic wooden boats of every type, from handcrafted kayaks to mahogany runabouts, and classic daysailers to schooners, along with expert demonstrations and vendors. One-day and three-day passes available. Free for Museum Members. 
  • Small Craft WorkshopJune 27–29
    In collaboration with the Traditional Small Craft Association, the John Gardner Small Craft Workshop offers skills demonstrations and free boat rentals during the WoodenBoat Show. 

Enjoy live music at Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern overlooking the Charles W. Morgan and the beautiful Mystic River. 

Mystic Seaport Museum is open daily with activities and programs suitable for all ages. Whether you’re sailing on a historic vessel, participating in living history, or simply enjoying the scenic waterfront, there’s something for everyone to discover this summer. 

For tickets, a full calendar of events, and the latest updates, visit: www.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 FacebookXYouTube, and Instagram.

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MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM ANNOUNCES THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR MARITIME STUDIES (AIMS)

Photo, Left to right: Debra Schmidt Bach, PhD; Leah Prescott, MLS; Michael P. Dyer, MA; Akeia de Barros Gomes, PhD; Elysa Engelman, PhD

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM ANNOUNCES THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR MARITIME STUDIES
LED BY AKEIA DE BARROS GOMES, PhD, THE WILLIAM E. COOK VICE PRESIDENT FOR MARITIME STUDIES; INITIATIVE UNITES MUSEUM’S RENOWNED HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS 

Museum Appoints Leah Prescott, MLS, as Senior Administrator of Library Resources, Debra Schmidt Bach, PhD, as Director of Exhibitions, Elysa Engelman, PhD, as Director of Research and Scholarship, and Michael P. Dyer, MA, as Curator of Maritime History 

Mystic, CT. [September 25, 2024]Mystic Seaport Museum announces the launch of the American Institute for Maritime Studies (AIMS), an initiative that consolidates the Museum’s scholarship in maritime studies and elevates its role as the nation’s leading maritime research facility and academic institute. AIMS will strengthen the Museum’s graduate and undergraduate programs, including fellowships and internships through the newly created Department of Research and Scholarship. In addition to being the nation’s premier location for maritime scholarships, there will be a particular emphasis on making collections (both objects and manuscripts) more publicly accessible for researchers and the general public. AIMS will engage with institutions of higher education, including the Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice at Brown University, Williams College, and the University of Connecticut.  

The Museum has appointed Dr. Akeia de Barros Gomes as the William E. Cook Vice President for Maritime Studies at AIMS. De Barros Gomes joined the Museum in 2021 as Senior Curator of Maritime Studies. The Museum has also named Leah Prescott, MLS, as Senior Administrator of Library Resources at AIMS, Dr. Debra Schmidt Bach as Director of Exhibitions at the Museum, Dr. Elysa Engelman as Director of Research and Scholarship, and Michael P. Dyer, MA, Curator of Maritime History and Instructor, Frank C. Munson Institute of Maritime History. 

“I am thrilled to lead the American Institute for Maritime Studies as we embark on this important new chapter for the Museum,” says Dr. de Barros Gomes of her new role. “AIMS represents a significant step forward in the Museum’s mission to enhance the scholarship around maritime histories and to tell stories that have been passed from generation to generation.” 

AIMS will build upon ongoing research opportunities at the Museum, including fellowships, internships, and visiting scholars, by creating additional opportunities for community engagement and academic initiatives, including publications. Earlier this year Mainsheet: A Journal of Multidisciplinary Maritime Studies debuted. This biannual publication, available both online and in print, sets itself apart with its multidisciplinary approach, global themes and accessibility, and innovative design and distribution. Mainsheet offers a unique platform for scholars worldwide to explore maritime issues spanning the past, present, and future. AIMS scholars and staff will broaden their research through robust connections with national and international universities and museums, and will explore topics related to maritime cultural connections, maritime art, and social and economic issues through a contemporary lens. 

As the William E. Cook Vice President for Maritime Studies, Dr. de Barros Gomes will be responsible for bringing strategic vision and thought leadership to the Institute. She will oversee professionals dedicated to advancing the Museum’s academic presence in maritime studies and share those findings and stories with local and broader Museum visitors through exhibitions and programming. AIMS will also continue Dr. de Barros Gomes’s outreach to local communities to engage with oral histories. Previously as the Museum’s Senior Curator of Maritime Studies, Dr. de Barros Gomes was lead curator of the exhibition Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty, and the Sea, on view at the Museum through April 2026. She is also the co-Director of the Museum’s Frank C. Munson Institute of American Maritime Studies along with Michael P. Dyer. Before joining Mystic Seaport Museum, she was Curator of Social History at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. She received a PhD and MA in Anthropology with a focus in Archeology from the University of Connecticut in 2008. 

Leah Prescott, MLS, has been appointed the new Senior Administrator of Library Resources. Prescott was previously the Associate Director for Collections and Co-Interim Director at the Harvard Law School Library and served as Associate Director for Digital Initiatives and Special Collections at Georgetown Law Center. Previously at Mystic Seaport Museum, she held several positions over two decades, including Manuscripts and Archives Librarian, Collections Information Technology Coordinator, Information Technologies Librarian, Manuscripts Assistant, and Museum Interpreter. Prescott holds a Master of Library Science and Information Studies from Syracuse University and a BA in American History from the University of Connecticut. She has been a Certified Archivist since 2005 and actively participates in the National Digital Stewardship Alliance, where she co-chaired the Infrastructure Interest Group from 2020 to 2022. 

Debra Schmidt Bach, PhD, has been appointed as the new Director of Exhibitions. Bach was previously the Curator of Decorative Arts and Special Exhibitions at the New-York Historical Society, where she curated and collaborated on numerous popular culture and social history exhibitions, including The Art of Winold Reiss: An Immigrant Modernist; Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere; and First Jewish Americans: Freedom and Culture in the New World. Bach lectures widely, has written numerous essays, articles, and blogs, and has contributed to exhibition catalogs and popular culture anthologies, including “Of Great Renown: The History of Rheingold Beer,” in The New York Mets in Popular Culture (McFarland & Co., 2020). Bach received an MA in American Studies from Columbia University and a PhD with a focus on material culture and design history from the Bard Graduate Center in 2015. 

Michael P. Dyer, MA, has been appointed the new Curator of Maritime History. Dyer was most recently Curator of Maritime History at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, where he curated several exhibits including most recently the exhibition All Hands: Yankee Whaling and the U.S. Navy (2023–24). He was an editor of Vistas: A Journal of Art, History, Science, and Culture, published by the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and is author of several monographs including “O’er the Wide and Tractless Sea”: Original Art of the Yankee Whale Hunt (New Bedford, 2017), and was previously an instructor in Maritime History at the Northeast Maritime Institute at Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Dyer was also a USA Gallery Inaugural Fellow at the Australian National Maritime Museum in 2008, and a 38th Voyager onboard the bark Charles W. Morgan of Mystic, Connecticut, in the summer of 2014. 

Elysa Engelman, PhD, has been appointed the AIMS Director of Research and Scholarship. This new position entails working with the curatorial team to produce scholarly output; organizing academic lectures, symposia, and conferences; developing scholarly publications; and managing AIMS-centered internships and fellowships. Engelman was previously Exhibits Researcher/Developer at Mystic Seaport Museum and then Director of Exhibits. She has a doctorate from Boston University in American and New England Studies and a BA from Yale University in English and Theater Studies. Engelman has taught courses in Women’s Studies, Public History, and the Historian as Detective at the University of Connecticut at Avery Point and written on wide-ranging topics including the maritime Underground Railroad, Route 66, Lydia E. Pinkham, and the threat of sea-level rise to maritime museums. 

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 and include a re-created New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art collection 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 FacebookXYouTube, and Instagram.  

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Mystic Seaport Museum named #2 Best Open Air Museum by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award!

Mystic, Conn. (February 26, 2024) – Mystic Seaport Museum proudly announces its second place position in the Best Open Air Museum category of the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice awards out of twenty exceptional open air museums featured in the competition. The top ten winners were officially announced on Friday, February 23.

“This acknowledgment of Mystic Seaport Museum by an expert panel and the public, underscores the institution’s unwavering commitment to preserving maritime heritage and captivating audiences with immersive experiences,” says Museum President and CEO, Peter Armstrong.

Nominees were selected by an expert panel comprised of editors from USA TODAY and 10Best.com, as well as contributors and sources from Gannett brands. Votes were cast in each category over a four-week period starting in January on the 10Best.com website. A sincere thank you to USA TODAY, 10Best, and all the contributors for including the Museum in this year’s nomination.

Mystic Seaport Museum extends our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated supporters and voters who contributed to this achievement, reinforcing our position as a destination for cultural enrichment and maritime exploration. Congratulations to all the open air museums: 1st place winner Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Oconaluftee Indian Village, National Museum of Transportation, Jamestown Settlement, Strawbery Banke Museum, Colonial Williamsburg, Conner Prairie, Hagley Museum and Library, and Fort Monroe.

Visit here to see the complete list of winners and their ranking.

Learn more about USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards here.

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, Connecticut, 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 FacebookXYouTube, and Instagram.

About USA Today

USA TODAY is a multi-platform news and information media company. Founded in 1982, USA TODAY’s mission is to serve as a forum for better understanding and unity to help make the USA truly one nation. Through its unique visual storytelling, USA TODAY delivers high-quality and engaging content across print, digital, social and video platforms. An innovator of news and information, USA TODAY reflects the pulse of the nation and serves as the host of the American conversation — today, tomorrow and for decades to follow. USA TODAY, the nation’s number one newspaper in print circulation with an average of more than 1.6 million daily, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper website launched in 1995, reach a combined 6.6 million readers daily. USA TODAY is a leader in mobile applications with more than 16 million downloads on mobile devices. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI).

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Mystic Seaport Museum Acquires Historic Harbor Tours Of Mystic

Mystic Seaport Express Will Offer A River Shuttle Service from Downtown Mystic to Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic, Conn. (February 27, 2023) – Mystic Seaport Museum has acquired Historic Harbor Tours of Mystic which includes its flagship vessel Mystic Express. Captain Carl Shillo has operated the passenger vessel since 2006, providing guided tours of the Mystic River.

Through this acquisition Mystic Express will be renamed Mystic Seaport Express. The 17-passenger vessel will operate from the newly refurbished dock located at the foot of the Mystic Drawbridge in front of S&P Oyster Co.  The Museum plans to operate the vessel as a water shuttle transporting passengers on a continuous loop from the dock in downtown Mystic to both the north and south ends of the Museum.

This service will enable visitors from downtown to easily visit the Museum.  Tickets will be available in person from a Museum attendant located at the downtown dock. The anticipated start date for this service is May 15, 2023.

The rates for the shuttle service will include admission to the Museum:

Adults: $33
Senior (65 & up): $31
Youth (13 – 17): $29
Child (4 – 12): $24

Once at the Museum, visitors will have access to our 19th-century seafaring village, world class exhibits, as well as additional amenities to get out on the water with boathouse rentals and ticketed river tours aboard the historic excursion vessel Sabino.

“Arriving at Mystic Seaport Museum by sea is a truly magical experience,” said Mystic Seaport Museum VP of operations and watercraft Chris Gasiorek. “This added shuttle service will allow local visitors to include a trip to the Museum as part of their overall Mystic experience. Downtown shopping, getting out on the water and visiting the Museum are a trifecta of Mystic experiences and we’re excited to offer this expanded service.”

Mystic Seaport Express will also be available for private group charters for up to 17 passengers.  Inquiries regarding charter scheduling, booking and rates should be directed to charters@mysticseaport.org or 860-572-5341. The dock space in downtown Mystic will also be available for dock and dine rentals, and can be booked through Dockwa, the marina booking site currently used by the Museum Seaport Museum Marina.

To learn more and plan your trip on the Mystic Seaport Express, visit us online.

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Media Contact

Sophia Matsas
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
sophia.matsas@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 FacebookTwitterYouTube, and Instagram.

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Mystic Seaport Museum’s Great Traveler Reviews Land it a Place Among Travelers’ Favorites

Mystic, Conn. (February 8, 2023) – Mystic Seaport Museum is happy to announce that it has been recognized by Tripadvisor as a 2022 Travelers’ Choice award winner. The award celebrates businesses that have received great traveler reviews from visitors around the globe on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months. The Museum is committed to curating exhibits, events and experiences that resonate with a diverse audience and this recognition validates the direction of efforts in this post pandemic environment.

“The greatest honor is one received by the people we serve. We are thrilled to be recognized by our visitors as a top attraction on Tripadvisor and are committed to continuing this tradition by delivering memorable and enriching experiences in the years to come,” says Museum President Peter Armstrong.

“Congratulations to the 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Winners,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “The Travelers’ Choice Awards recognize the best in tourism and hospitality, according to those who matter most: your guests. Ranking among the Travelers’ Choice winners is always tough — but never more so than this year as we emerge from the pandemic. Whether it’s using new technology, implementing safety measures, or hiring outstanding staff, I’m impressed by the steps you’ve taken to meet travelers’ new demands. You’ve adapted brilliantly in the face of adversity.”

To see our reviews and plan your next trip to the Museum, visit here.

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Media Contact

Sophia Matsas
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
sophia.matsas@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 FacebookTwitterYouTube, and Instagram.

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Mystic Seaport Museum Awarded CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant from CT Humanities

Mystic, Conn. (January 18, 2023) – Mystic Seaport Museum has been awarded a $150,000 CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant from CT Humanities (CTH). CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants assist museums and other non-profit organizations as they recover from the pandemic and maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public.

The Museum has identified three areas in which the funds will be used:

·   Improve Technology/Online Presence

·   Increase Visitation/Audience

·   Grow Revenue

The Museum is committed to engaging more diverse audiences, enhancing access to our institution (both on-site and digitally), increasing visitation and revenue, hiring, retaining, and training staff, addressing climate resilience, and improving our digital infrastructure as interlocking institutional priorities meant to strengthen our capacity and sustainability.

“In the coming year, the Museum plans to improve vital elements of our digital infrastructure, including Wi-Fi enhancements, digitizing our collections, and upgrading system tools that will improve efficiency across the Museum and allow for more targeted, meaningful engagement with all of our stakeholders,” says Museum President Peter Armstrong. “We are grateful to CT Humanities for supporting our efforts to expand accessibility and create more impactful interactions with the Museum.”

The Museum was one of 725 organizations in Connecticut receiving a CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant. Totaling more than $8.5 million, these grants are part of a two-year, $30.7 million investment in arts, humanities, and cultural nonprofits by the Connecticut General Assembly and approved by Governor Ned Lamont.

This CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant is provided to Mystic Seaport Museum from CT Humanities with funding from the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature.

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Media Contact

Sophia Matsas
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
sophia.matsas@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 FacebookTwitterYouTube, and Instagram.

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National Historic Landmark L.A. Dunton To Be Hauled for Multi-Year Restoration

Mystic, Conn. (December 14, 2022)The 101-year-old L.A. Dunton, a National Historic Landmark, is scheduled to be hauled on Tuesday, December 20th (subject to change, see below) to undergo a full, multi-year restoration of the 123-foot fishing schooner.

Designed by Thomas F. McManus, the L.A. Dunton is one of the few remaining vessels of its type. Built by Arthur D. Story and launched from his yard at Essex, Mass., in 1921, the Dunton was built after auxiliary gasoline power had become common in schooners and was probably the last large engine-less fishing schooner. By 1923 the vessel was equipped with a 100 H.P. Fairbanks, Morse and Co. C-O engine and used as a fishing and freighting vessel for 30 years before it was acquired by Mystic Seaport Museum in 1963.

Since its acquisition, maintenance has been completed including, restoration to its original design, engine removal, the stern restored to the correct appearance, deck beams, deck planking and frames replaced, and topsides were replanked, but the vessel has never undergone a full restoration until now. 

Ballast being removed from L.A. Dunton in preparation for the haul.

A new concrete pad has been built specifically for the restoration project at the north end of the Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard. This location will provide visitors to the Museum with unprecedented interior access to the vessel during the early stages of the restoration.

The hauling process is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 20. The Museum is closed to the public at that time but welcomes visitors to view the hauling from the overlook between the Museum Store exit and the South Entrance.

Museum Members are invited to view the hauling from the grounds, at the Sabino Dock. Members are asked to enter through the Museum’s South Entrance, where employees will direct them to the appropriate viewing location.

The Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year is currently managing multiple major restoration projects, most recently, Coronet, the 1885 Schooner Yacht, as well as other vessels from the Museum’s collections, including Sabino and Nellie.

Several factors, including weather may affect the hauling date and time. Please follow our social channels to get the latest updates and to watch a live stream of the event on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

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Media Contact

Sophia Matsas
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
sophia.matsas@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 FacebookTwitterYouTube, and Instagram.

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Press Releases

The 1885 Schooner Coronet Arrives at Mystic Seaport Museum Monday, December 5

Mystic, Conn. (December 4, 2022) – This past Friday, the 1885 Schooner Yacht Coronet was successfully launched in Newport, Rhode Island following eight months of meticulous planning and coordination. On Monday, December 5, the vessel is set to make its way to Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport Museum to complete its restoration, a process that is expected to take three years.

The journey will begin at around 8 a.m. on Monday morning and is anticipated to take up to eight hours. Anticipated arrival to the Museum is between 2 – 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon. Coronet will be towed out of Newport Harbor and travel out through Rhode Island Sound, Block Island Sound, Fishers Island Sound and finally up the Mystic River through the Mystic Bascule Bridge and upriver to the Museum.

Images below were captured during Friday’s launch.

Photo Credit: Mystic Seaport Museum

Coronet will be towed by Jaguar, which most recently towed the Mayflower II after routine maintenance at the shipyard. Progress of the journey can be followed throughout the day here.

The arrival of Coronet as it passes the Mystic Bascule Bridge and makes its way up to the river to the Museum will also be live streamed on the Museum’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Updates will be posted throughout the day across the Museum’s social channels prior to going live.

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Coronet Press Release History:

  1. MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM AND CREW TO RESTORE 1885 SCHOONER YACHT CORONET
  2. THE 1885 SCHOONER CORONET TO BE LAUNCHED ON DECEMBER 2

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Media Contact

Sophia Matsas
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
sophia.matsas@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 FacebookTwitterYouTube, and Instagram.

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