She’s Back…

 The Charles W. Morgan has a neighbor. Well, temporarily at least.

Amistad was hauled ashore in the Museum’s shipyard today. The vessel will be dry docked for the next two weeks to receive routine maintenance and a Coast Guard inspection.

Don’t miss your chance to see the freedom schooner and the world’s last wooden whaleship alongside each other on dry land. It’s quite a sight.

For more information about Amistad, visit www.amistadamerica.org.

Mystic Seaport’s New Map Exhibit is Worth Shouting About!

If maps are your passion, Mystic Seaport has an exhibit opening May 2 in the Museum’s Mallory Building that will blow you away!

 

Mapping the Pacific Coast: Coronado to Lewis and Clark, The Quivira Collection may be a mouthful to say, but this awesome private collection, on loan to the Museum, gives visitors plenty to digest!

 

Two larger than life maps dominate the room, while more than 30 historic maps dating from 1544 to 1802 comprise the exhibition. Many of them are works of art in themselves, drawn meticulously and in bright colors by cartographers of the era. These mapmakers performed their craft in their respective countries, so in the poetic words of exhibit researcher Elysa Engelman, “The room whispers in different languages.” Complementing the maps are illustrations, books and display items linked to this period in maritime navigation history.

 

Available audio players give visitors a virtual pick and choose  tour of the exhibit, augmenting the written signage. It’s a chronological journey that includes interesting tidbits reflective of thinking and knowledge of those times. Example: for more than 100 years, cartographers assumed that California was an island!

Installation of "Mapping the Pacific Coast"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now here’s the icing on the cake, especially geared to families with children. Connected to the map exhibit is Map Spot, a fun and educational experience with hands-on activities that just might inspire a youngster or adult to become a serious cartographer. Map Spot can also help Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts complete badge requirements.

 

Both Map Spot and Mapping the Pacific Coast exhibit are included in Museum admission. For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/mappingthepacific. Don’t miss this one!

Majestic

I have the best seat in the house. Actually, I’d argue that I have the best seat in the whole Museum. I’ve endured wind, rain, sleet and snow. I’ve worn the ugly, durable shoes all winter. I’ve stared at brown, barren trees and cold, gray skies. And it has all been worth it. All for this…

Grab your camera. Get over to the Thomas Greenman House. Experience spring in all of its majestic, Mystic Seaport, Magnolia glory. And when you look up, you may even see me waving down at you from the window.

Yesterday and Today

Just another day at Mystic Seaport — boats moving all over the waterfront.

In this case, it’s our own Joseph Conrad, on her way back to her regular berth, joined by members of the Stonington High crew team, which uses our waterfront for practice and meets.

Does it matter who wins this race? Nope.

So what brought these two together this morning?

Well, school’s out in Stonington, but the crew team took advantage of the gorgeous morning for some on-water practice.

The Conrad was returning to her berth after spending the week at Chubb’s Wharf having her lower masts stepped in earlier this week. She’ll maintain just her lowers this season while other maintenance continues. However, she’s a bit more ‘dressed’ now than she was just last week.

All in all, just a typical day here at Mystic Seaport.

You’ll Be Seeing Stars!

Did you know there’s an ice cream cone in the sky?  Did you know there’s a grouping of six stars that was adopted as the trademark for Subaru vehicles? When you hear the name Polaris, do you first think of the NASA flight mission capsule or the North Star up in the sky? Did you know there’s a hole in the Big Dipper that empties out on Leo’s back?

 

If you are a bit astronomy challenged; if outer space intrigues you; or if the stars have ever served as your compass  – then you MUST take in  a program at the Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport.

 

The magnificent new Spitz A3P Star Projector takes center stage in the auditorium. It is an imposing sight in and of itself.  In addition to the stars shining more brightly, the southern sky can now also be projected for visitors, a new perk.
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So take a seat and watch the horizon slowly disappear. Light gives way to darkness. Overhead an awesome sight meets the eye as stars come out of daylight hiding. Whether you’re a first time visitor or a return visitor, it is breathtaking.

 

A journey amongst the galaxies with R.M. Maxwell leading the way is a special treat. Max takes our miraculous overhead universe and brings it down to planet earth for his audience’s entertainment and knowledge. You will definitely come away knowing much more than when you went in.

 

One thing is absolutely certain – after experiencing the Planetarium show, you will no longer only think candy bar when you hear the words Milky Way!.

 

The Planetarium show is a minimal add-on to Museum admission ($2.50), but well worth it for visitors of all ages. The  lobby exhibits are always free of charge. Visitors can opt to chart a course using a sextant (a historic navigation tool) and also look at and learn from the interesting visuals showcasing the role of astronomy throughout history.  

 

So next time you’re at Mystic Seaport, make sure to stop by the Planetarium and take a seat. We promise, you’ll soon be seeing stars.

 

For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/planetarium.

A Tasty Stimulus Package for Seniors

“Stimulus package” seems to be the new buzz phrase heard just about everywhere these days. Ah, but how many of these packages stimulate the palate as well? Well, we know of one here at Mystic Seaport, a very delicious one to be exact.

The Seamen’s Inne Restaurant & Pub at Mystic Seaport is bailing out senior citizens (ages 62 and older) who may have eliminated from their budget the very pleasant pastime of going out for lunch. Every Tuesday, from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., the restaurant is offering seniors 25% off food and non-alcoholic beverages. Now how’s that for an appetizing deal?

Remember when you had to show proof of age to gain entry to certain places? Well, feel young again. Get out those ID card, because you will have to show proof that you’re at least 62 years of age to take advantage of this great offer.

So how about it? Does a bowl of award-winning clam chowder, baked Stonington scallops, grilled chicken and ravioli, a corned beef Reuben, a juicy hamburger or maybe a Cobb salad stimulate your taste buds? Then lift your spirits and satisfy those cravings. Make a date to get over to Seamen’s Inn. You deserve a fantastic — and affordable — lunch out! 

For more information, call 860.572.5305, or visit www.mysticseaport.org.

Five Questions with…Museum Shipwright Rick Remenda

This week we meet shipwright, Rick Remenda, whose home turf at Mystic Seaport is the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard. Rick is a friendly, relaxed guy with a ready smile who is obviously happy and comfortable in his surroundings.  1. How long have you been at Mystic Seaport? RR:  I’ve worked in the shipyard for three years. I took an apprenticeship in traditional wooden boat building up in Rockland, ME, before coming on staff here. My family lives in Newington, CT, so that was a major draw to return to Connecticut. 2. What’s the best part of your job? RR:  Building boats! No surprise there. Another plus is working with a great bunch of guys. There are eight of us: Rob Whalen, Sean Kelly, Chris Taylor, Chris Nelson, Jeff Morris, Barry Peale, Trevor Allen and myself. We are all trained shipwrights, so we know what we’re doing and like what we do. My absolute favorite part of my job though is teaching the traditional wooden boat building classes. The class is limited to six, and we offer it twice a year. I’ve had students from as far away as France and from states across the country. 3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job? .  RR:  It’s hard to say what is most challenging. Almost every step in the restoration process is challenging, from building the scaffolding that gives you access to parts of the ship, to removing hull sheathing like we are just doing now on the Morgan. It’s slow and tedious work, but the end results are worth it. I worked on rebuilding the Roann, and look at her now. 4. What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had? RR:  It’s pretty funny seeing ourselves in the white protective suits and head gear that we have to wear during some of the restoration work on the Morgan. The suits are a safety factor to keep us from inhaling sawdust, protection from hazardous materials, etc. We look like we’re going to the moon. 5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?   RR:  Outside of work I just enjoy hanging out with friends. - Rick was interviewed by Museum Volunteer Trudi Busey and photographed by Mystic Seaport Photographer Dennis Murphy.

Spring Cleaning at the Boathouse

The scene is the Boathouse at Mystic Seaport. Open the door and the smell of varnish and wet paint tickles the nostrils. A pot belly stove provides a welcome warmth on this cool, early spring day. Several men work diligently on three boats, mindful that boating season is fast approaching and their maintenance work on the Museum’s small boat fleet will need to be wrapped up soon.

Boathouse Supervisor Jim Mcguire and his staff and volunteers have been at work throughout the winter refurbishing Mystic Seaport’s small craft fleet. Fourteen of the 20 boats are already in shipshape condition, thanks in large part to volunteers Ron, Paul, Jeff and Andy. Giving these boats a nautical facelift is a labor of love for these hardworking gentlemen, and Mystic Seaport visitors are the beneficiaries.

Theses well-maintained boats can be rented by the hour in season (mid-May through mid-October). Just picture yourself sailing off in a Beetle Cat on a warm sunny day, or rowing peacefully down the historic Mystic River. Soon it won’t be just a wistful daydream…it can become a reality! Beginning May 9, the Boathouse is open for business on weekends and come mid-June, open seven days a week.

Rent a rowboat from our Boathouse and see Mystic Seaport from an entirely different vantage point!

It’s spring at last and the water is calling your name at Mystic Seaport!

For more information, visit our web site at www.mysticseaport.org.