A D VA N C E M E N T N E W S
Celebrating Charles W. Morgan’s 70 Years in Mystic
Over the past few years, the staff at Mystic Seaport has learned, through hard work and expertise, that it takes many hands to restore the last wooden whaling ship in the world. It has also become increasingly apparent that, once fully restored, it will likewise take many advocates to raise the funds to sail the Charles W. Morgan in 2014. Since January 2011, a group of dedicated local volunteers, led by Trustee Searle Field and local real estate professional Melinda Carlisle, have met regularly to create enthusiasm and support for the Morgan project. A diverse group consisting of marina owners, restaurateurs, college professors, and civic leaders have come together to strategize and assist in raising $1.5 million to put the Morgan to sea. They have organized themselves under the designation Sail the MORGAN 2014. Sail the MORGAN 2014 has created merchandise to celebrate this ambitious under-
taking, including hats, shirts, and decals. This is to increase awareness for the effort to have the Morgan go to sea again. It is also to bring the community together and rally to celebrate the spirit of American enterprise.The committee’s mission is to honor this guiding spirit by sailing the Morgan and reinforcing lessons of courage, exploration and teamwork for our generation and generations to come. The Sail the MORGAN 2014 committee is honored to present the 70th Anniversary celebration of the arrival of the Charles W.
Mystic Seaport President Steve White with Ms. Lucie McKinney aboard the schooner Brilliant during her port visit to the Pequot Yacht Club in June. Lucie’s father, Briggs Cunningham, sailed Brilliant out of Pequot prior to donating her to the Museum in 1953. At Pequot, he would take “junior” sailors out on his schooner, thus starting a tradition of teen sail training aboard the boat that has continued at Mystic Seaport since she arrived at the Museum.
Morgan in Mystic. This celebration from October 28 to November 6 will feature a restaurant week, shopping events, evening concerts, and art and photography exhibits focusing on 1941, the year the Morgan came upriver to the Marine Historical Association, Mystic (which later became known as Mystic Seaport). Additionally, the Museum will offer free admission on Saturday, November 5. This special day will feature tours, demonstrations, and an opportunity to honor those who witnessed the Morgan’s arrival all those years ago. None of this could be feasible without the tremendous support of the Sail the MORGAN 2014 committee and volunteers. This group stands as a model of how public support can help sustain private institutions, advance common goals and work together to celebrate the shared ideals that have helped shape our nation. Mystic Seaport is proud of this collective effort. The Museum is deeply grateful to those who have given their time, expertise, and resources to help make the audacious vision of sailing the last wooden whaling ship in the world a triumphant success.
FALL / WINTer 2011
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