It Rained on the Parade…

…and most of the hours leading up to it. However, the Antique Vehicle Show at Mystic Seaport the last Sunday in September was still a treat for determined Museum visitors decked out in rain gear and carrying umbrellas. I know. I was one of them!

Although only a fraction of the expected 120 exhibitors were willing to subject their restored motor vehicles to Sunday’s persistent rain, those who did provided visitors with a tantalizing taste of what this annual event must be like when clear skies prevail and exhibitors are out in full force.

It was so cool seeing century-old vehicles parked along the Museum’s Village Green as though their owners were off running errands or shopping. Movies depicting that era or a painting or nostalgic Christmas card scene are just no match for actually admiring these awesome motor vehicles in person.

Restoring these beauties is obviously an expensive labor of love, but to John Parker III of North Stonington, CT,  it’s a passion well worth it. His magnificent red, brass-trimmed 1921 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Tourer led the 3 p.m. parade.

Among the vehicles parading several times around the Village Green with “ooga-ooga” horns sounding, were a snappy royal blue 1924 Studebaker Light Six Coupe, a magnificent 1927 yellow Cadillac sporting big white wall tires, several shiny black Ford Roadsters, a vintage Mystic Seaport truck, and a bright red 1912 Overland Roadster with beautiful brass rimmed lamps and headlights. Seeing Chick and Gail Chandler rounding the bend in their open orange1914 Metz Speedster, I couldn’t help thinking that their happy waves and smiles were partially showmanship but also happiness that they would soon be headed home to Charlton, MA and dry clothes!

It was unfortunate that the weather dampened this year’s Antique Vehicle Show,  but when this special event is advertised next year, do yourself a big favor. Don’t miss it! You’ll take a step back in time and probably wonder, as I do, if any of our 21^st century cars will some day make it to antique status and warrant an exhibition spot at the Mystic Village Green curb.

Blog written by Trudi Busey

A Fair Alternative

 

They are the harbinger of autumn – those fall fairs and festivals that dot our Connecticut landscape and make the change of season tolerable. I enjoy them as much as anyone. However, if you’re like me, there is a saturation point.

If you’ve watched enough tractor, truck and horse pulls; if you’ve sufficiently sabotaged your diet with cotton candy and fried dough; if you’ve had your share of getting up close and personal with farm animals and admired enough prize-winning jams, needlework and homegrown veggies – I have a great alternative for you…

MYSTIC SEAPORT!!

You can check our website for details: www.mysticseaport.org,  but let me briefly describe what special events are in store for you at the Museum as September segues into October.

• LOCAVORISM

New word. It’s the term given to the growing movement of eating exclusively from local ingredients. Seamen’s Inne Executive Chef, Tim Quinn invites food lovers to experience a sumptuous 4-course meal on 10/16 and 11/20. (The 3-dinner series debuted on September 19^th. )The gourmet meals are prepared entirely with ingredients grown within a reasonable radius of Mystic Seaport.  Reserve your place at the table for 10/16 and 11/20.

•  30th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MARINE ART EXHIBITION AND SALE

Bustling waterfronts, scenic beaches and marshlands and contemporary marine art will prompt oohs and ahhs from all who appreciate fine art. The comprehensive exhibit opens September 27th  for a 3-week stay in the Museum’s Maritime Gallery.

"Bugeye LEMUEL KIRWAN and Two Schooners" by Yves Parent featured at the International.

•  BY LAND AND BY SEA: ANTIQUE VEHICLE SHOW

No cash for clunkers at Mystic Seaport, but on September 27^th a parade of pre-1930’s cars, trucks and motorcycles are definitely worth a look-see – or maybe even a ride. The grand parade of the vehicles around Museum grounds happens at 3 p.m.

• BEER TASTING AND TALK

Almost Oktoberfest time! But then, beer lovers don’t need a special time to enjoy a cold one. On October 3^rd, from 5-7 p.m. at the Museum’s shipyard, adults can sample different brews from several breweries after learning some little-known facts about beer’s influence on American history from Gregg Smith, author of Beer in America: The Early Years –1587-1840.

Beginning October 16^th, Mystic Seaport gets down right spooky!  On tap – Nautical Nightmares. Tickets are on sale now and go quickly. More info at www.mysticseaport.org/nauticalnightmares.

 Blog written by Trudi Busey

Remembering Don

Don Treworgy, May 2009, at the naming of the Treworgy Planetarium

We are saddened to share the news that our beloved Don Treworgy, Mystic Seaport staff member for 48 years, died on September 13.

Today, on this bright and clear September day, we are comforting one another by sharing our stories and recalling this exceptional friend, scholar and gentleman who would not have failed to recognize the simple joys of a glorious late summer day.

Please join us here, in the comments section of our Mystic Seaport blog, and share your stories about life with Don, who made us all richer for the time we spent with him. Honor him with your humor, your recollections, your discoveries and your memories.

If you’d like to look back at some Mystic Seaport photographs of Don over the years, click here.

And if you have photos of your own to share (and you know how important stories, people, photos, history and archiving were to Don!) please share them in our Donald Treworgy  Remembered Flickr group.

Mystic Seaport remembers Don Treworgy

The Eyes Have It – A Day at Mystic Seaport

Recently we invited friends from where we used to live to come and visit Mystic Seaport with us. So, on a recent beautiful sun-drenched day, when the Mystic River has that extra diamond-like sparkle, my husband and I acted as tour guides for the Davis’s.

We made our way from the South Gate to the North Gate, taking in the sights along the way. Our friends’  enthusiastic interest in the ships, the exhibits and the village itself made me think how easily we often take for granted the special beauty and wonder of familiar surroundings.

Fran is a talented artist and Bob is masterful at crafting all things wooden, like boats, Shaker boxes, furniture, a country house for themselves, etc.  Bob had taken the boat building course at Mystic Seaport back when John Gardner was the teacher and not just a picture on the wall. With a smile, he fondly recalled Mr. Gardner’s special teaching style. I think Bob could have spent most of the day in the shipyard! Fran could visualize setting up her easel just about anywhere on Museum grounds to capture the essence of Mystic Seaport.

Awesome, beautiful, delightful, relaxing,  impressive were some of the adjectives voiced by our friends as we lunched outdoors on the Seamen’s Inne patio and talked about their impressions of Mystic Seaport today. How refreshing it was to enjoy the Museum through their eyes.

If you’re feeling down about summer’s official end, here’s your antidote. Visit Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and the Sea. On our website: www.mysticseaport.org  you’ll find a listing of  fun and exciting special events coming up.

Yeah, summer is great, but fall’s sweater weather days can be pretty wonderful, too. Come and see for yourselves. 

Blog written by Trudi Busey.

Labor Day Weekend Fun a No-Brainer at Mystic Seaport

The early bird gets the worm, as the saying goes.  So here’s what you need to do this Labor Day weekend… 

Set your inner shopping alarm.  Flap your wings and fly over to Mystic Seaport for a fantastic Labor Day Sidewalk Sale. Gates are open at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Believe me, you’ll find lots better fare than worms!

Ties, scarves, books, note cards, glassware, posters, etc. for $10 or less. Some things even bear that irresistible sign – FREE!  For art enthusiasts, Mystic Seaport’s Maritime Gallery is offering select prints at reduced prices.

But here’s the catch. The sidewalk sale items are first come, first served, and carry the warning – while supplies last. How’s that for motivation to get you bargain shoppers up, out and over to Mystic Seaport this weekend?

You’ve seen the mall store displays already hinting that it’s not too early to think Christmas gifts. Distasteful as that thought may be, we won’t tell anyone if you decide to make some great early Christmas purchases.

Mystic Seaport this Labor Day weekend offers two bonuses for making the Museum your destination. The Fish & Ships seafood festival is going on, the Sidewalk Sale is going on. Both are tantalizing but in different ways – one for the tummy; one for the pocketbook. How can you resist?

Enjoy fresh seafood this weekend at our Fish & Ships festival!

Come. Enjoy the food; find a bargain; take a ride on the steamship, Sabino; climb aboard a tall ship; play a 19th-century game on the Village Green; gaze at the stars in the Treworgy Planetarium; explore the exhibits.

What a terrific way to celebrate this last official summer weekend!

Blog written by Trudi Busey.