Mystic Seaport’s Version of Liberty

February is a month chock-full of calendar-worthy days. First, there’s the day the groundhog predicts the remaining days of winter (Can we really trust a groundhog?). It’s also the month when visions of chocolates dance in our heads as Valentine’s Day nears. (Who doesn’t like getting one of those heart-shaped boxes full of yummy candy?) This year, those who vow to abstain from eating candy during Lent have just a few days to savor those valentine sweets before going “cold turkey” for awhile. Then there are the birthdays of presidents Lincoln and Washington, now celebrated together on Presidents Day. (I wonder how they’d feel about that.)
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I think Liberty Days at Mystic Seaport deserve a few squares on the February calendar as well, specifically February 13 and 14 and February 18-21.  Planned to coincide with February school vacation, the program has fantastic activities for kids that will replace  “I’m bored” with “that was fun.”  Kids can choose from a whole menu of interesting things to do and see, including boarding the world’s last wooden whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan or building a paper Dory or wooden boat of their own design. 

Kids, build your own wooden toy boat to take home!

Best of all, during Liberty Days, kids are admitted to the Museum FREE with a paid adult admission, both valid for a second day as well, no coupons needed – just a validated ticket.

Sailors of bygone years would be granted “liberty” or shore leave by the ship’s captain when the vessel arrived in port. This month, plan to come to our port – Mystic Seaport – and take the liberty of exploring all this unique Museum has to offer.

For membership information and more details on Liberty Days, visit our website at: www.mysticseaport.org./libertydays.

 Blog written by Trudi Busey.

No Tricks, Just Treats at Mystic Seaport this Saturday!

With symbols of Halloween jumping out at us at every turn, I wondered – how and where did this October 31^st day originate? Turns out, we owe it largely to Irish immigrants. They brought versions of their Celtic festival, Samhain (pronounced sah-wen), to North America. Combine that with the northern European pagan tradition and religious festivities associated with “All Hallow’ Evening” (now known as All Saints Day) and VOILA – October 31^st is what we all now know as  Halloween!     

Too much information? Sorry. But wait – here’s some really important information for anyone with children ages 10  and under. Want a really safe place to take your little goblins trick-or-treating on Halloween?  Then come to Mystic Seaport. From 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 31^st , children in costume will gather up treats at designated locations within the Mystic Seaport village. It’s a scene guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of all, whether participants or simply onlookers.

Parents, you can vicariously relive this fun time of childhood because it’s a requirement that children be accompanied by an adult. You don’t have to come in costume yourself,  but please come with  $2 for each child you bring (to help defray candy costs). If you’re lucky, maybe your little ghosts and goblins will share some of their Halloween treats with you!

Park in the Seamen’s Inne parking lot, enter through the Museum’s library gate and follow the pumpkin path. You’ll be given a map to lead you to all those treats in waiting.

Sound fun?  You betcha!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Blog post 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.

Dog Days – A Real Dog Treat this Weekend!

Rufus, the 2006 Westminster Best in Show Champion Bull Terrier dressed in a Cat in the Hat outfit? You might be thinking – how humiliating! But this dog is a “cool cat.” As representative of the National Education Association’s Read Across America, Rufus dons the Cat in the Hat costume for his official duties. The weekend of August 28-30, Rufus is the celebrity guest at the first-ever Dog Days event at Mystic Seaport.

Meet Rufus this weekend at Mystic Seaport.

Museum visitors have a couple of opportunities to meet and greet Rufus. The first is during story time, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Museum’s Stillman Building. (For a nominal fee, visitors can pose for pictures with Rufus with all proceeds benefitting the Charles W. Morgan restoration.). Then it’s off to the playscape area where Rufus will meet visitors from 2 – 4 p.m. As a certified Therapy Dog, Rufus is obviously calm and friendly and used to greeting strangers.

Although 9-year-old Rufus brings star quality to Dog Days with an impressive 35 Best in Show titles to his name, plenty of other awesome dogs will amaze visitors with their skills and talents throughout the weekend. Take a look at some of the things going on:

 Special Friday events:

• Canine search and rescue demonstrations
• A visit from Connecticut Humane Society Therapy dogs

 Special Saturday and Sunday events:

• Newfoundlands demonstrate their life-saving water rescue skills;
• police dogs show their mettle; hunting dogs show off their special aptitudes;
• guide dogs for the blind demonstrate their remarkable abilities and intuitive talents;
• therapy dogs visit, epitomizing the gentle side of dogdom;
• a canine flyball demonstration introduces visitors to a fun and competitive sport for dogs.

During Dog Days, even menu choices will be dog-themed! Enjoy hush puppies, slush puppies, hot dogs and more.

So all you humans out there don’t need to whine or bark to enjoy this special weekend treat. Just visit Mystic Seaport during Dog Days this weekend, August 28-30. You’ll be happy as a pup!

Blog written by Trudi Busey.

Mystic Seaport’s Neverland

The age span of children having fun at Mystic Seaport’s playscape area sometimes surprises me. One would expect the appeal of climbing on the boats “anchored” there would be limited to the younger set – but not always.  I think of that song “I Won’t Grow Up” from the Peter Pan soundtrack. The lyrics start like this: I won’t grow up; I don’t want to go to school….

Whether pretending their playscape boat is being attacked by pirates; or that they are fishermen hauling in a net full of fish; or they are on the lookout for whales,  harpoon at the ready – it’s refreshing to see that outdoor play can once in a while  trump indoor video games. Childhood imaginations remain alive and well as boys and girls act out their own playscape adventures.

But as the carefree days of summer vacation draw to a close, it will probably get a little quieter and less raucous outside our office window. The toddlers and preschoolers will reclaim the playscape boats for themselves  until one day they, too, will grow up and have to go to school. Peter Pan’s followers shouted – “Not me! Not me! No sir! Not me!” But alas, we all do.

The sound of children at play is music to my ears and a reminder of just how sweet those childhood years are.  I hope I never grow up past the point of vicariously joining the children at Mystic Seaport’s playscape.

Blog written by Trudi Busey.

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

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.

Boats, Boats and More Boats!

“Why, my young friend, it’s the only thing! Why, there’s nothing…simply nothing, quite so much worth doing, as messing about in boats. Simply messing…about in boats.”
–Kenneth Grahame, Wind in the Willows

There doesn’t seem to be a better quote to describe the wondrous feeling a person gets when they get into a small boat. Sure, some visitors of the Boathouse at Mystic Seaport may have a little fear or anxiety over hopping into what appears to be a very tippy vessel. WE can’t blame you for that, but we sure do encourage you to try it out!

June 6-7 marked a very important weekend in the small craft world. John Gardner Small Craft Workshop weekend has long been a tradition at the Museum. After a year hiatus, it returned in full force. Owners and admirers of small craft joined together for a weekend of education, fun in boats and chatter. In one location, visitors were able to find home-builds, well known boat builders and people representing other maritime museums and non-profit organizations.

Saturday, participants launched their boats, donned their name tags and began what proved to be a fantastic weekend. Presentations were given by Museum friends – old and new – including David Niels’ talk about paddle-making, Ben Fuller’s presentation about “What to bring (and not bring) on a boat” and Mark Starr’s demonstration of the electronic measuring device, EDM, which takes accurate measurements of a boat and makes a drawing on a computer. This technology is quite significant to Mystic Seaport due to its use on the Charles W. Morgan  and other restoration work being done here at the Museum.

All day Saturday, participants of the workshop were able to use Boathouse boats, as well as the vessels of other participants in order to get a feel for the unique designs available. It wasn’t surprising to find quite a few participants taking lines (measurements) off of some of the boats due to their interest in building one of their own.

Sunday morning, without a doubt, was the best part of the weekend. Beginning at 7 a.m., approximately 15 boats began a trip downriver to Mason’s Island. Both rowing and sailing, participants were able to enjoy the beautiful morning and each others’ company while using the boats exactly for what they are meant for — use in the water. 

Overall, being able to speak with many of the participants can be seen as the best part of the weekend. The passion and love for small craft was echoed throughout everyone’s actions and words.

Might we offer a suggestion? Take a chance to learn what Toad was saying to Mole in the Wind in the Willows and come down to the Boathouse at Mystic Seaport. Rent your own small traditional boat and begin to row or sail away on a new adventure.  
 

Blog post written by dedicated Museum Boathouse staff member Tia D’Alessandro.

You Say it’s Your Birthday…

…well, have we got the gift for you. Mystic Seaport is proud to offer FREE admission to all of our birthday visitors! Spend your special day exploring exhibits, climbing aboard tall ships and discovering our bustling 19th-century seafaring village — all for free!  Simply present a valid photo ID or an original or certified copy of your birth certificate at our main gate on your birthday and your visit is on us.

If you’re a Museum member and already receive free admission, bring a friend for free.

And better yet, host your child’s birthday party at Mystic Seaport and give them an unforgettable celebration.

Choose from one of four themes and we’ll take care of the rest. More information can be found at www.mysticseaport.org/birthdayparties.

So come experience the richness, beauty and history of Mystic Seaport on your special day. And we promise, we’ll refrain from all obnoxious birthday singing…maybe.

Visit www.mysticseaport.org/promotions for an up-to-date list of special offers and promotions at the Museum.

Mapping out Fun at Mystic Seaport

I went to see what Mystic Seaport’s new interactive Map Spot was all about. It’s supposedly geared to kids, but Interpreter Lindsey Pyrke-Fairchild claims that adults like Map Spot as much as the children do. I can see why.

Suzzanah was making a map of her bedroom; Abby and Maddy were mapping their respective neighborhoods; Emma’s imaginative map was of a forest with horses. So, I gave it a try myself, mapping my own neighborhood. A  cartographer I’ll never be, but it was fun trying. Hmm… maybe next time I’ll try making a dream vacation map!

One of the coolest things in Map Spot is the “smart board,” a touch screen with a few games that test your smarts and your speed. The object is to move a state into its proper location on the map in a given amount of time. It can be tricky, believe me! 

Next I teamed up with precocious 18-month-old Hannah to choose where I wanted to visit or live, or pinpoint where my ancestors lived on a wall-sized map of the world. Hannah and I marked our spots with red and yellow magnetic discs. Watch out, world, Hannah’s on her way!

Moving on, the next challenge was making a coastline map of the model island in the glass case. The task – simulate the coastline on the magnetized glass via a beaded necklace-like tool. Not as easy as it looks!

Well, it was time to take a drive, but Driving to Distraction was so popular with both the boys and the girls that I couldn’t get in the driver’s seat! This is a GPS concept with a voice directing you to places in the town of Mystic. It can be a wild ride with the likes of Juan and Jose behind the wheel!

Yelitza motioned me over to the topographical map to help her locate some of the things you are supposed to find. We had to duck down to find shipwrecks, shown through a glass window beneath the map. Interpreter Lindsey votes this her favorite display. 

My Map Spottour ended with Francelis, who was designing a bedroom by moving dollhouse size wooden furniture around on the large grid floor. Francelis could then copy her final “map” onto a paper with small grids, knowing the furniture would fit where she wanted it.

Final conclusion: Map Spot is a great spot! Lots to do with soft-sell teaching and learning wrapped up in fun. Check it out.