A Whale of a Marathon

When’s the last time you read Moby-Dick? Have you ever? Brace yourself for a huge admission: I was an English major in college AND am a current employee of the nation’s leading maritime museum, and I’ve never read it. Sigh. I’m ashamed.

Well, if you’re like me — slightly surprised that this classic slipped through your reading list cracks and quite curious what all the fuss is about — get on down to Mystic Seaport. Our annual 24-hour reading of Moby-Dick begins today at noon. A costumed roleplyer kicks off the event reading chapter I, “Loomings,” and after that, it’s your turn. The round-robin reading continues into the  night aboard the nation’s last surviving wooden whaler in our shipyard (what a setting, huh?) and concludes tomorrow in the late morning.  

Note Melville's famous line quoted on this colorful whale found in our Playscape area...

Quite the event for quite a book. Join us and rediscover (or discover) one of the greatest novels in the English language. Don’t live a life of Melville shame like me.

- Erin Richard

A Lovely Day at Mystic Seaport

I love a day like this at Mystic Seaport!

There are loads of children of all ages on Museum grounds, and their excitement over new discoveries and accomplishments fills the air with laughter and shouts of success.

At the Discovery Barn, staff member Jon Capozzoli was explaining the Cleat knot to Alex. Good teacher; Alex completed the knot and his smile said it all.

Lots of cheers and the sound of a successful Skittles game resounded throughout the barn while others took on quieter pursuits with shells and blocks. Just outside, a long line of eager children waited to put their heads through the cut-outs for a Kodak moment on the high seas.

Catching a cool breeze along the river, while awaiting today’s Tale of a Whaler performance, was the Accetta family from Clinton, CT.  They say Mystic Seaport is a favorite destination, and visiting at least 3 or 4 times a year is the norm.

Mom says there seems to be something different each time they visit, while dad never tires of the history the Museum unfolds in so many different ways.

Son Scott’s favorite thing is boarding the boats, especially the Charles W. Morgan. Sister Jess agrees, but adds “Mystic Seaport is just fun to visit regardless of weather” and sisters Jillian and Jennifer sum it all up with the comment, “We like everything!”

The whistle on the steamboat Sabino signals its departure for a cool trip down the river- offering visitors a chance to catch a breeze on this very warm summer day.  Old Joe clomps by with a wagon full of sightseers.

It’s a lovely day at Mystic Seaport.

Blog written by Trudi Busey

Five Questions with…Jennifer Pictou, Supervisor of Educational Programs at Mystic Seaport

This week the spotlight falls on Jennifer Pictou, the Museum’s Supervisor of Educational Programs and a person with interests and talents that will delight, surprise and maybe even shock you!

1. How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?
JP: I’ll be completing my first year next week.  For 16 years I worked in the field of public programming, alias culture and community programming, and for 6 years prior to coming on staff here, I worked for the Pequot Museum.

2. What’s the best part of your job?
JP: Approximately 28,000 school children matriculate through Mystic Seaport’s various programs some from as far away as Ohio. I really enjoy working with their teachers and acting as a liaison with our teaching staff. I handle the daytime programs and Hallie Payne supervises the overnight programs.

3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
JP: Keeping Museum programs current with school programming and legislation requirements like No Child Left Behind.  That entails being up-to-date on priorities and trends in all areas of education. Our Museum programs are designed to help teachers prepare students for the CT Mastery Test by using current curriculum frameworks. When they come to Mystic Seaport, it’s not just a field trip we try to make it a fun learning adventure.

4. What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?
JP: Fishing a student’s digital camera out of the Mystic River not an easy task. His camera flew out of his pocket while he was cranking the rope making apparatus. It turned out the camera was an inexpensive disposable, not the expensive kind I thought it was! Oh well, it was still important to him.

5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
JP: It’s hard to name just one. My newest passion is taking my Standard Schnauzer, Rosco, to play flyball. It’s a sport where teams of four dogs race a track, retrieve a ball and return it. Fastest team wins. I’m training Rosco at My Dog’s Place in Mystic for his first tournament with the “Seaside Sprinters.” 

My ongoing passion is something I have studied for over 20 years. I’m a 3rd degree Black Belt in Ketsugo (a form of mixed martial arts). I compete in tournaments four times a year and have been a regionally rated fighter in the AKL/PKL (amateur and professional karate league); I’ve also won championships in Ju-Jitsu (throwing). I have taught martial arts to students age 5 to 75, but I feel strongest about teaching and encouraging women to learn self-defense. Martial arts is a great stress reliever and self-confidence builder for anyone.

Time permitting, I enjoy making jewelry, but right now I’m busy doing research for my Master’s thesis in American and New England Studies with an emphasis on museum work, of course! 

Jennifer was interviewed by Museum Volunteer Trudi Busey and photographed by Dennis Murphy.

A Tree Connection Takes Root at Mystic Seaport

It could be headlined as a “tree hugger’s” worst nightmare. A recent newspaper article told the sad story about the necessity of cutting down more than 40,000 trees in Galveston, Texas. The trees were irreparably damaged by the salt water storm surge Hurricane Ike boiled up in September 2008. Trees that have lost 50% of their canopy are being axed.

For some reason, what popped into my head after reading the article was Joyce Kilmer’s poem, Trees. Remember it?

The first verse goes like this: I think that I shall never see, A poem lovely as a tree. And the last verse: Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. Whether spiritual or not, there does seem to be an emotional connection between mankind and trees.

Well, call it destiny or serendipity, but 80 of Galveston’s fallen evergreen oak trees will soon be transported to Mystic Seaport’s shipyard instead of ending up in a Texas landfill. That’s a good thing.

The trees’ lumber will be used to authentically rebuild the frame on the Charles W. Morgan whaling ship, now in dry dock and undergoing a three-year restoration. Quentin Snediker, director of the Museum’s shipyard,  hopes that Galveston residents will feel somewhat compensated, knowing some of their fallen trees will have an important and historical role in the Morgan’s restoration. Ironically, the rich shipbuilding histories of Galveston, TX and Mystic, CT will now be forever linked because of Hurricane Ike’s devastation to that southern barrier island.

Perhaps someone should write a poem  – or a sea shanty – about the trees of Galveston taking their place in maritime history at Mystic Seaport. Any poets or composers out there who care to give it a try?

Blog written by Trudi Busey

The Way it Was

While America lost a legendary journalist and beloved voice with the death of Walter Cronkite last Friday, Mystic Seaport has lost a dear friend.

In addition to the numerous and remarkable career highlights we’ve been reminded of this week, Cronkite was also an avid sailor, a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, with the honorary rank of commodore, and a longtime trustee of Mystic Seaport. Former Mystic Seaport President and Director J. Revell Carr took a few moments to recall the Walter Cronkite that he knew.

“Walter truly loved the ‘mystique’ of Mystic Seaport – he loved coming in on his yacht Wyntje, tying up at the Cruising Club Dock and just wandering around. Like so many others visiting by boat, he reveled in the Museum after the other visitors had left. He allowed himself to drift back in time among the evocative images of Mystic Seaport at twilight or dawn. On one occasion, as I made my way down to visit with him after the Museum had closed, I found him standing on the dock with a video camera, making his own home movie of Mystic Seaport. I made some remark about the ageless scene before him as I approached and he made me back up and repeat the words and the approach to be recorded by his camera.

Walter Cronkite aboard his yacht Wyntje.

Obviously, he was a man of endless curiosity who was fascinated by the Museum’s exhibitions but who enjoyed even more glimpses into the stored collections with the myriad of wonders from paintings and models to bizarre curiosities.

He was always responsive when we called on him to contribute his image and voice to films about Mystic Seaport. While his schedule made it difficult to regularly attend Board meetings, he participated in the Museum’s activities whenever he could. At a Mystic Seaport benefit auction held at Sotheby’s in New York, various celebrities got up and auctioned items. Peter Yarrow, of the singing group Peter, Paul and Mary, had just gotten the audience, including most of our Trustees to sing “Puff the Magic Dragon” and then sold an autographed copy of one of his albums for some vast price. Next up was Walter, who said, “Obviously, the way to get really large bids is to sing!” Walter then sang the description of the reticulated ivory box he was to auction, to the delight of the audience and the significant benefit of Mystic Seaport. A rare moment.

Walter Cronkite in front of the Charles W. Morgan at Mystic Seaport.

On an occasion when he was at a Board meeting in the Munson Room, toward the end of the meeting, amid nearly fifty people virtually all clad in blue blazers, Walter got up and went into a fairly long oration about the group and their attire, but no one could figure out where it was leading. Ultimately he got to the point that someone was “out of uniform” and produced a blazer button that he had found on his way into the room. A perfect way to end a long morning of intense work by the Board.

Walter was just a regular guy, who had casual conversations with those moored around him or people he encountered in the Seamen’s Inne. Once when he had spent the night at my house, we stopped in the Old Mystic Store where he picked up the New York Times and chatted amiably with the astonished store clerk. Just a regular guy.”

Family Fun Weekend at Mystic Seaport Going to the Dogs on July 18th

Everyone has heard the term – the dog days of summer – which usually refers to the hottest period between early July and early September.

This year, here in the Northeast, a stretch of hot days has so far been pretty elusive. So Mystic Seaport isn’t waiting for Mother Nature; July 18^th will be “dog day” at the Museum regardless of temperature.

Leashed, dog-friendly pooches and their two-legged owners and family members are invited to be part of Saturday’s special event during Mystic Seaport’s Family Fun Weekend, July 18^th and 19^th.

Children are invited to meet furry friend Mabel, the subject of a new book titled Mabel Takes a Paddleby Emily Cherkowski.  (Event tickets are $10 per child.) Cherkowski’s book will also be available for purchase. After telling the story of Mabel, the author will take the dog kayaking on the Mystic River.  How fun!

How about paddling a boat of your own? One of the Boathouse rowboats is waiting for you, at a minimal family rate rental fee. (Children must be accompanied by an adult and must wear personal flotation devices in the boat.)

Aside from getting out on the water, there’s plenty more for children and parents to do during Family Fun Weekend. Some of the choices are: the Children’s Museum, the Discovery Barn, the Planetarium; taking part in the interactive play Tale of A Whaler; building a toy boat; climbing aboard the Charles W. Morgan  and checking out how the whaling ship’s restoration process is going. In fact, there’s so much for families to see and do, you just might need two days to see and do it all. In that case, your 2-day admission ticket has you covered. Now that’s a deal too good to turn down.

Hey, summer is short. So make the most of it and come have some fun with us during our Family Fun Weekend, July 18^th and 19^th.

For more information, please visit www.mysticseaport.org.

Blog post written by Trudi Busey.

Mystic Seaport’s Secret Weapon?

To paraphrase the familiar Dunkin Donuts slogan, one might say Mystic Seaport runs on volunteers!
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Okay….that may sound a little conceited, but at yesterday’s annual after hours Celebration of Volunteers, Mystic Seaport President Steve White described the army of Museum volunteers as “the life blood of Mystic Seaport.” Who wouldn’t feel a little pumped up after hearing those words?

I’m a volunteer; so is my husband; so are about 1,000 other men and women who relish helping staff in countless ways. Every one of us finds a niche …or two…or more. Pretty soon your fellow volunteers become almost like your extended family, and the bond to Mystic Seaport just grows stronger the longer you’re on board. 

Volunteer Coordinator, Rhoda Hopkins Root, is matriarch of our Mystic Seaport volunteer family and she takes care of her own!  Today’s Celebration of Volunteers  is a testimony to that. Good music, good food, good camaraderie and special recognition and accolades for a deserving few.  

Rhoda speaking with a Museum volunteer.

We sat with some of the Boathouse gang. Two of them, Andy Strode and Joe DeGange, sported the gold pin on their name badge. That indicates they have contributed more than 1,000 hours each! And if that’s not impressive enough, there are other volunteers with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 thousand hours of volunteer time. It’s pretty humbling to be in this family!

The thing is, this family seems to really enjoy one another’s company. Is it something in the air at Mystic Seaport that makes everyone so mellow? Could be, but I think it’s just a great place to put your time and talents to work, and know you’re benefitting this jewel of a Museum.

If you’re reading this and thinking you need something fun and interesting to do in your life, give Rhoda Hopkins Root a call at 860.572.5378. There’s a niche for you at Mystic Seaport, and Rhoda will help you find it.

Blog post written by Volunteer Trudi Busey.

Five Questions with…Exhibit Graphics Specialist Arleen Andersen

I’ll wager that most staff and Mystic Seaport visitors tend to take for granted the signage found in Museum exhibits. But those specialized and creative designs are the work of Arleen Andersen, exhibit graphics specialist for the Museum. Arleen’s “workshop” is located at the far side of the Collection Research Center at Mystic Seaport.

Arleen Andersen

1.  How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?
AA:  I‘ve worked at Mystic Seaport for 21 years. I’m from Long Island, but I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. It is beautiful out there, but I missed the ocean and I convinced my husband to move back East.

2.  What’s the best part of your job?
AA:  My job lets me be creative, which is great. I enjoy the close contact with maritime history here at Mystic Seaport, through the collection and the people. Working with those at the Museum who know that history best makes it possible for me to graphically interpret that information for visitors. 

3.  What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
AA: Getting everything done that needs doing. Of course, nothing ever runs smoothly! Also, it’s important to me to try to keep things fresh and new for Museum visitors. Just keeping exhibit graphics in good shape can be a challenge.

4.  What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?
AA:  There was a period when there were special times for staff sails aboard Brilliant. Sometimes it was just a short-term sail; sometimes an overnight. It was wonderful. As for funniest, once a co-worker and I went to Elm Grove Cemetery to gather nuts for a display in the VRC. We wondered what people who saw us might be thinking! The same goes for anyone who saw us trying to match restaurant oyster shell halves for the Museum’s Oyster House exhibit. Every day is a new experience!

5.  What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
AA:  Spending time with my family. I have two children, a son and a daughter, who practically grew up at Mystic Seaport – taking advantage of some of the programs offered to youth, and as they grew old enough – working here. I have my own sailboat, so you’ll find me sailing on the Mystic River, time and weather permitting. Other than that, I enjoy gardening, usually with my dog Luna at my side. 

Arlene was interviewed by volunteer Trudi Busey and photographed by Dennis Murphy.

The Plein Air Painters are Just Plain Talented!

If you’ve stopped by the Maritime Gallery recently, you may have noticed that all of the art in the current exhibition, Plein Air Painters of the Maritime Gallery, has a central theme – the beauty of Mystic Seaport. Open through September 1, the exhibit details the Museum’s picturesque scenery, all of which was painted on grounds  this past June. (For those unfamiliar with the term, plein air artists follow the tradition established by painters in the 19^th and 20^th centuries – choosing an outdoor venue rather than an indoor studio to work their craft.)
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I was able to observe some of the painters at their easels last month and learned a little bit more about their craft…

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I spoke with William Hanson, who has been a part of the Mystic Seaport Plein Air Painters for all of the 13 years it has been a Museum event – more recently by invitation only.  At the other end of the spectrum, I met Brechin Lee Morgan, for whom this was an “exciting” first.

Maritime Gallery artist Leonard Mizerek painting on grounds last year.

Both extolled the virtues of natural light for capturing the essence of their paintings. “So inspiring” is how William describes the Mystic Seaport setting.  Brechin feels the realism of on-site painting trumps studio paintings, where imagination is the key component.

Maritime art is William’s emphasis. Today, near Mystic Seaport’s shipyard, a rowboat with a wood-filled shed as backdrop caught his attention. He thinks the smaller 6” by 8” size he mounted on his easel may have greater “sale” appeal in today’s economy, although his repertoire includes paintings of different sizes. 

Brechin chooses his subject by walking around the Museum until a scene strikes him as being dramatic enough to capture on canvas with his acrylics. This day the huge live oak timber in the H.B. duPont Preservation Shipyard was his subject. “It reminds me  of timbers I imagine were used to build Noah’s Ark.”  He considers himself fortunate to be included as one of Mystic Seaport’s Plein Air Painters.

William’s and Brechin’s paintings, along with those of their fellow Plein Air Painters, will be on display and available for purchase in the Museum’s Maritime Gallery all summer. Come take a look. 

For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/gallery or call 860.572.5388.

Blog post written by Trudi Busey.

No clue what to do this weekend? Visit Mystic Seaport because….

Who doesn’t love a good mystery?

And how many times have you thought you could solve a mystery yourself?

Well here’s your chance!

Mystic Seaport’s first-ever interactive Maritime Mystery tour makes its debut Saturday, July 4, and continues on consecutive  Saturday evenings through September 5th (excluding August 1). 

The setting is the Museum’s 19^th-century village. By interrogating witnesses and interviewing suspects (played by the Mystic Seaport TaleMakers), visitors, aka detective sleuths, will attempt to uncover foul play behind a mysterious plot.  Investigations begin at 6:30 and 7 p.m. during July; 6 and 6:30 p.m. in August; 6 p.m. September. You have 70 minutes to help solve the mystery!

Here’s an important clue: Per person tickets for the mystery tour are $16, but talk some friends into sleuthing with you, and the price drops to $15 each for a group of 3 or 4; $14 each for a group of 5 or 6. (Maritime Mystery is recommended for older children, teens and adults).

To purchase tickets for your sleuthing adventure, visit www.mysticseaport.org/maritimemystery or call 860.572.5322.

But you say playing detective isn’t your thing?  Mystic Seaport has you covered.

Friday and Sunday evenings through September 6 (excluding July 31 and August 2),  Museum visitors can enjoy a tasty three-course meal outdoors at Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern  followed by a performance of Eugene O’Neill’s play, Ile.  The harrowing one-act play tells the tale of an Arctic whaling captain,  his wife and the obsession that threatens all that they hold dear.  (Recommended for age 15 and older.)

Now here’s the really cool part – the performers, the Mystic Seaport TaleMakers, will use the L.A. Dunton as their stage. The Mystic River is a perfect backdrop.

Show time during July is 7:15 p.m.; August 7-22 – 6:45 p.m.; August 28-September 6th – 6:15 p.m.

Dinner theater  tickets are $45 per person ($40 for members) and include dinner, gratuity and the performance. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.  Choice of entrée will be made at the time of ticket purchase.

To order your special evening out,  visit: www.mysticseaport.org/dinner theater  or phone 860. 572.5322. 

Blog post written by Trudi Busey.