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.

More than a Friendly Face

With summer knocking on the door, Mystic Seaport staff members are ramping up in anticipation of the  thousands of visitors expected to visit the Museum this season. Our gate staff members, led by Sally Ackley, are primed to welcome visitors, answer questions and assist in a myriad of other issues.

One of Sally’s team members, Goran Buckhorn, tells this unique story about a visitor from Norway. Their paths crossed in the Museum’s Visitors Reception Center (VRC) several years ago.

The man was traveling alone. He was 85 years old. He had read a 1975 article about Mystic Seaport in a boating magazine and was determined to come to America, come to Connecticut and come to Mystic Seaport!

He made it, with a little help from police, who stopped and questioned him as he walked along highway I-95. After checking his passport and learning his destination, they drove him to Mystic Seaport.       

Out of concern for the elderly gentleman, Goran assisted him first in getting some food, then helped him find decent lodging nearby. When the traveler told Goran, “I think my wife thinks I’m dead…I haven’t spoken to her in several days because I don’t know how to phone Norway from here,” Goran helped him make the call.

For three days, the gentleman enjoyed Mystic Seaport, snapping many photos, especially of the L.A.Dunton.   Back in Norway, he was making a model of the fishing schooner and wanted to see the vessel in person.

Mission completed, the man was ready to head back home to Norway – but he had missed his flight out of Hartford. Wrong day! Once again, Goran managed to get him on a flight the following day.  

To Sally Ackley and her VRC staff, it’s all in a day’s work!

Five Questions with…Museum Web Manager Jonathan Greene

If you don’t already know Web Manager Jonathan Greene, prepare to be blown away by his many-faceted work history at Mystic Seaport. With an Associate’s Degree in web design and animation and a BS in the digital recording arts from New England Tech, who knows what the future holds for Jonathan.

1.  How long have you been employed at Mystic Seaport?

JG:       I was hired in July 2001. I was 17-years-old and it was my first job. The Museum Store manager said she hired me because I wore a tie for the interview!  I became manager of the North Gate store before Event Network took over management; then I worked in the café where I made the fudge. Those two jobs were my favorites. I also worked in the wholesale department and handled technical needs, managed cash registers, and worked with artwork and prints. Actually, my family has a long tradition at Mystic Seaport. My great grandfather, grandfather, and mother all worked for the Museum. When you visit the schoolhouse, look for the initials “KIRK” and “MK” carved into one of the desks. “KIRK” is the nickname from my grandfather’s last name, Kirkpatrick, and MK are the initials of my grandmother. My grandfather was instructed to help make the new schoolhouse desks look old, so he carved those initials.

2.  What’s the best part of your job?

JG:    Since I have held so many different jobs at the Museum, I’ve gotten to know many people personally. I really enjoy seeing and talking with them on a regular basis; it’s like an extended family here. The best part of my current job is realizing that just one slight change made to our website might have a worldwide impact and encourage someone visiting our website to come and visit Mystic Seaport. That’s powerful stuff!

3.  What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

JG:       Keeping up with technology. It’s kind of frustrating when you’re aware of some terrific new technology, but realize the cost is too prohibitive for the Museum to purchase. Setting up the eBay and Amazon connection has helped alert folks to what the Museum Store has to offer.  The other challenge for me has been balancing tasks as I transitioned from job to job. I still get questions related to former positions I’ve held.

4.  What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had?

JG:       Most notable is probably an experience I missed by a year. I would have loved being on staff when the Amistad was launched. Thinking back, I was excited at the prospect of meeting TV reporter, Geraldo, who had moored his boat at Mystic Seaport. Along comes this guy wearing pink tights, riding a bicycle, who wanted gate admittance so he could get aboard his boat. It was Geraldo. That sort of cured me of my youthful fascination with celebrities. I realized they’re just ordinary people like you and me.

5.  What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?

JG:      I’m a movie and movie trivia buff. I also like playing video games and enjoy photography – and you can imagine – the computer is ever present! 

Jonathan was interviewed by volunteer Trudi Busey and photographed by Andy Price.

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.

Five Questions with… Museum Security Guard Jim Conlin

This week we meet Jim Conlin, sergeant in the Museum’s security department. If you’ve had any reason to visit the small yellow building mid-grounds, you have undoubtedly met Jim. He calls joining the security staff at Mystic Seaport “the luck of the Irish” because he has always wanted to work and live in the Mystic area.

Jim Conlin

 

 

1.      How long have you been at Mystic Seaport?

JC:  Seven years. This is actually my second career; I worked in the insurance industry for many years before coming on board here.

 

2.      What’s the best part of your job?

JC:  I would have to say meeting and talking with visitors from so many different states and countries. In addition to our regular duties, our office is almost like a public relations kiosk. We answer questions about restaurants, room accommodations, other tourist attractions in the area – you name it!

 

3.      What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

JC:  Maintaining safety throughout the Museum is top priority, of course. The job gets more challenging in high tourist season, naturally. Our staff handles all kinds of medical emergencies and we are all trained in First Aid and CPR. Mostly, we treat minor cuts and bruises from falls, but we’ve also had to deal with heat stroke, seizures, broken bones and diabetes-related problems. Finding lost children is also part of the job. 

 

With challenges also comes rewards. I have received four or five letters from people, thanking me for the services they had received and that is very rewarding for me.

 

4.      What’s the funniest or most notable on job experience you’ve had?

JC:  There have been times when a Museum visitor reports hysterically that their car has been stolen from the parking lot. Inevitably, the visitor either forgot which parking lot they were in or where they parked in the lot. Also, you wouldn’t believe our lost and found discoveries – everything from a wedding dress to a baby stroller. Since our staff walks the entire Museum grounds on a rotating schedule, we’re likely to find anything!

 

It’s also quite funny to see people trying to gain free access into the Seaport – either under or over a gate. We even caught a gentleman in a suit and tie trying to sneak in!

 

5.      What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?

JC:   Basketball ranks high, both playing and watching the game. I also do a lot of bicycle riding and enjoy motor boating and fishing.

 

 -          Jim was interviewed by volunteer Trudi Busey.

 

Check back often to learn a little bit about the people behind the scenes at Mystic Seaport.