Education Through a Maritime Lens
SEA CLASS
The Maritime Classroom
Try your hand at the historic maritime skills that supported life at sea and on land in the 19th century. With master craftspeople as your guides, use traditional tools and techniques to learn sailing, open-hearth cooking, woodworking, sailmaking, blacksmithing, letterpress printing, and more in authentic historic spaces. For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/seaclass.
FIND YOUR SEA STORY | Register for a SeaClass
MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM
is a publication of Mystic Seaport Museum.
PRESIDENT
Peter Armstrong
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Michael Hudner
EDITOR
Sherri K. Ramella
editor@mysticseaport.org
DESIGN
Susan Heath
CONTRIBUTING DESIGN
Heather McGuigan
CONTRIBUTORS
Shahidah Ahmad, MEd
Sarah Armour
Christina Connett Brophy, PhD
Sarah Cahill
Jacqui Copp
Casey Duckett
Matthew Forte
Chris Freeman
Jeanne Gade
Akeia de Barros Gomes, PhD
Barbara Jarnagin
Brian Koehler
Arlene Marcionette
Kyra McClary
Shannon McKenzie
Margaret Milnes
Tracy Perkins
Allison Smith
Eric Speth
Nathan Taylor
Kendall Wallace
PHOTOGRAPHY
Delamar Hotel Collection
Joe Michael
Mystic Seaport Museum Archives
National Geographic
Andy Price
Noeĺ Sardet
Eric Speth, JamestownYorktown Foundation
ON THE COVER Summer campers in the Space is the Place camp use a stomp launcher to launch an air rocket as they learn how rockets are designed to sail through space just as boats are designed to cut through water.
CONTACT
Visitor Information: 860-572-0711
Administration: 860-572-0711
Advancement: 860-572-5365
Membership: 860-572-5339
Program Reservation: 860-572-5331
Museum Store: 860-572-5385
Volunteer Services: 860-572-5378
Please go to the Museum’s website for information on fall and winter schedules.
MUSEUM
Susan Constant Restoration
Improved Accessibility on our National Historic
Landmark Vessels
Williams-Mystic Forges Ahead
Being a Member Pays Off America and the Sea Award Gala
Wells Boat Hall
Delamar Mystic Opens
Founding Partner of Connecticut Blue Economy Coilition
75 Greenmanville Avenue
Mystic, CT 06355-0990
www.mysticseaport.org
Sustainable Oyster Farming: Sixpenny Oyster Farm
SPECIAL: EDUCATION
Education Through a Maritime Lens
Center for Experiential Education
Maritime Adventure Program Spotlight
More Than a Field Trip
An Ocean of Fun
Summer Sailing Fosters Leadership and Confidence
Overnight at the Museum: During the School Year
The Treworgy Planetarium: Bringing Science to Life
Apprenticeship: The Power of Hands-on Learning
Summer Internship Builds Experience
A First-Hand Account: Behind the Scenes
Schooner Brilliant’s Community Partnerships
Unmatched: The Frank C. Munson Institute of
American Maritime History
My Journey Through the Paul Cuffe Memorial Fellowship
A Message from the President
At first glance, the casual visitor to the Museum might be forgiven for thinking that the Museum’s education programs are all based around young children, and while undoubtedly they are the most boisterous participants on campus, you will discover from this issue of the magazine that the Museum provides education for people of all ages. Be it the 6-year-old setting sail for the first time or the more senior Member attending one of our cooking classes in the Buckingham-Hall house, the opportunities to engage with the Museum continue to grow every year.
I am particularly proud of two initiatives that have developed over the years from our exemplary work with two very different groups of students, those who are disengaged with schools who attend the Center for Experiential Education (CEE) and those who chart a path to academia through the American Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS). You would be wrong, however, in assuming there is no similarity between the participants as both understand that the maritime experience matters, and all are eager to learn, just in different ways.
As you read their stories consider that outside of mainstream education, museums are the largest providers of learning. We at Mystic Seaport Museum provide a space for learning and exploration, immersive experiences that go beyond traditional classroom settings that allow our audience to engage directly and find their sea story. If we can achieve our goal of fostering curiosity and critical thinking, we will have come a long way in achieving the vision the founders laid out in 1929 that the Museum be educational in purpose, national in scope, and an inspiring force for the future.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for one of our programs. Take it from someone who is still trying not to capsize in the Mystic River; it’s never too late to learn something new.
Peter Armstrong
BECOME PART OF THE MARITIME NARRATIVE: FUND YOUR SEA STORY
By supporting our Annual Fund, you are more than a donor; you are a thread in the ongoing narrative of maritime history. Your contributions support educational programming, enable visitors to witness traditional trades in the shipyard and historic seaport village, help us deliver waterfront activities, and expand our storytelling through world class exhibitions, inspiring the next generation of maritime enthusiasts.
To make your gift today, please call 860-572-5365, email advancement@mysticseaport.org, or visit www.mysticseaport.org/annualfund.
We need your SUPPORT by December 31, 2024.
FIND YOUR SEA STORY | Donate to our Annual Fund
Plank by Plank, the Susan Constant Restoration
The multi-year restoration of Jamestown Settlement’s Susan Constant is underway at the Museum’s Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard, where the 33-year-old flagship arrived in late June. Under the helm of Captain Eric Speth, longtime Director of Maritime Operations for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the 120-ton cargo vessel is a re-creation of the largest of the three ships that carried English settlers to Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. Over a period of five days in June, a sailing crew of 15 took the ship an estimated 515 miles up the Chesapeake Bay and along the Atlantic coast to reach Mystic. Instead of sails, they traveled using diesel engines and the skills of 17th-century
mariners to reach their destination. After the ship’s three masts and bowsprit were removed, it was lifted out of the water onto a specially made cradle for dry dock. Once on dry land, shipwrights first deconstructed exterior structures like the beak head, gallery, channels, gunport lids, rigging elements, and caprails to retain the parts as patterns for new pieces. With the external structures removed, work over the summer entailed demolition of the hull planking and wales above the water line, while cypress logs from Georgia were milled and stored for future use in the ship’s two-year restoration.
By August 1, 2024, roughly 95 percent of the planking on Susan Constant's port side was removed.
PHOTO CREDIT: Eric Speth, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Improved Accessibility on our National Historic Landmark Vessels
The Museum’s historic site makes navigating the property and entering buildings and ships difficult for many, but we are committed to continuing to complete projects that make it more accessible for our visitors. On your next visit, we hope that you will take advantage of these two recent improvements.
In late June, on the opening day of the WoodenBoat Show, the hold of the L. A. Dunton became wheelchair accessible for the first time. In 2022, the 123' Gloucester fishing schooner was hauled out of the water and put on shore at the north end of the Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard for a multi-year restoration project in advance of the Museum's centennial celebration in 2030. Due to the extended work aboard this 1921 vessel, we explored the possibility of installing a lift through planks in the bottom of the vessel into the fish hold while work was done in the bow and stern areas. Shipwrights built a platform in the center of the hold to receive the lift and be the receiving area for those accessing the vessel via the stair tower. We expect to keep the lift installed until replanking and reframing of the vessel begins toward the end of the project.
The 1908 National Historic Landmark vessel Sabino runs 30-minute trips along our waterfront, and 90-minute downriver trips. Before the vessel began the 2024 operational season, the existing gangway that passengers use to access the boat was replaced with a wider aluminum gangway, allowing wheelchair access to the forward area of the main deck and opening this river cruise option to more of our visitors.
Williams-Mystic Forges Ahead
Williams-Mystic, the Coastal and Ocean Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport Museum was founded by former Munson Institute Director Ben Labaree as a Williams College Winter Study in 1971. Approved as a one-semester program by the Museum’s Board of Trustees in 1976, the first class arrived in 1977. The program grew into a one-semester study-away program for college sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Each semester twenty college students with a range of majors arrive in Mystic for an interdisciplinary investigation of America’s coasts and oceans. They live and study on the grounds of the Museum while conducting original, hands-on research and traveling across the country to examine life in coastal communities. With a focus on climate change, environmental justice, and coastal resilience, students study the literature, history, policy, science of the oceans and coasts of the US, and more. The program is one of a kind and is often referred to by its alumni as a “life-changing semester.” So, when news broke that the program might be coming to an end, supporters jumped into action.
Following financial concerns from Williams College, an outpouring of offers to help came from Program alumni and supporters. In response, the Working Group on the Future of the WilliamsMystic Program was established and charged with “generating viable ideas to transform the program into one that is financially sustainable while continuing to advance the academic mission of the college.”
In late August, Williams-Mystic and Mystic Seaport Museum, announced that a new contract agreement had been signed continuing the program for three additional years. According to Maud S. Mandel, President and Professor of History, Program in Jewish Studies at Williams College, and Tom Van Winkle, Executive Direc-
tor, Williams-Mystic, “the group performed outstanding service in a high-stakes environment and on a tight timeline. The proposal they put forward was thoughtful, deliberate and creative. Based on their work, the two of us have agreed to a combination of careful cost reductions, new recruitment and enrollment measures and viable fundraising strategies,” providing ample justification for the college to move forward. The Museum shares in the excitement of the continuation of this exemplary experiential and interdisciplinary liberal arts program.
THE AMERICA AND THE SEA AWARD GALA
Honored
COLE BRAUER
On September 26, the Museum’s 19th annual America and the Sea Award was presented to Cole Brauer during a dinner held in the Collins Gallery. Following the formal award presentation, Tracy Edwards, MBE, and Cole engaged in a riveting dockside chat focused on Cole’s history-making experience as the first woman from the United States to race single-handedly around the world nonstop and unassisted. Cole Brauer's unparalleled journey exemplifies courage, determination, and a deep connection to the maritime spirit. Her achievement establishes a new standard in solo sailing, inspiring countless individuals worldwide.
“Few America and the Sea Award recipients have seen more of the sea than Cole Brauer. She personifies the adventure, grit, and joy that the ocean world engenders in all of us,” stated Sheila McCurdy, Museum Trustee.
We are grateful to all who attended the event and those who participated in the paddle raise for our Sailing Center, which is home base for the Museum’s sailing and overnight programs.
Being a Member Pays Off!
Members receive a 10–20% discount across the Museum in the Museum Store and restaurants, on special programs, and on classes such as adult sailing, letterpressing, open hearth cooking, blacksmithing, wood carving, and sailmaking offered through our new SeaClass.
Learn more at www.mysticseaport.org/join.
We sincerely thank the following sponsors:
PLATINUM
Betsy and Hunt Lawrence and Oakcliff Sailing
GOLD
Cayre and Alexis Michas Travelers
SILVER
Glenmede Endowment and Foundation Management
Sheila McCurdy and David Brown
Laurie Olson and Maria Fasulo
Risk Strategies | Gowrie Group . . . and our 12 Bronze sponsors.
Cole Brauer sailing First Light, an Owen Clarke Design Class 40.
WELLS BOAT HALL
Adventure, exploration, competition, ingenuity, survival, tragedy, and triumph. These are the stories embodied in the small craft collection at Mystic Seaport Museum. The time has come to reveal them to the world through a new exhibition of the American Watercraft Collection.
Construction has commenced to create a 34,000 square foot exhibition space within the historic Rossie Velvet Mill which will enable us to present over 150 small craft, dozens of marine engines, and countless other artifacts in a new facility to be called Wells Boat Hall. Within Wells Boat Hall visitors will find engaging interactive exhibits, youth-focused activity areas, education spaces, public convening space, and best of all, a vast array of interesting stories, narratives, and illuminating depictions of our shared heritage around the development and use of small boats on our coastal waterways.
To date we have raised just over 55% of our $15,000,000 campaign goal. We have launched the public phase of fundraising and invite all our Members, friends, and supporters to consider participating in the campaign to ensure our ultimate success. With your support this stunning new facility and inspiring exhibition will debut in the fourth quarter of 2025.
To arrange a private tour for yourself, family, and friends, and to learn more about the project and the campaign, please call the Advancement team at 860-572-5365, or visit www.mysticseaport.org/wells-boat-hall.
Wells Boat Hall interior rendering by CambridgeSeven.
D elamar Mystic Opens
Delamar Mystic, a new luxury boutique hotel nestled on the north end of the Mystic Seaport Museum campus, is anticipated to be fully open in early 2025. This elegant retreat pays homage to the Mallory family’s rich maritime legacy, which began in 1816 when Charles Mallory, Sr., arrived in Mystic as a young sailmaker. By the 1860s, he had become one of Connecticut’s most successful shipowners, shaping the village’s maritime history. Today, over 200 years later, his descendant, Charles Mallory, founder of the Delamar Hotel Collection, honors this heritage by developing Mystic’s first luxury hotel.
Breathtaking views of the Mystic River are just the beginning. The design of Delamar Mystic reflects the Mallory family’s maritime legacy, drawing inspiration from the graceful contours of ships and the craftsmanship of wooden vessels. At Delamar Mystic, you’ll experience a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication, from the meticulously designed guestrooms to personalized service. A highlight of your stay will be dining at La Plage Restaurant and Oyster Bar, where coastal cuisine takes center stage. Helmed by Corporate Chef and Partner Frederic Kieffer, La Plage offers a culinary journey through locally harvested seafood, garden-fresh produce, and sustainable meats, all served in a relaxed waterfront setting with both indoor and outdoor seating. Mystic Seaport Museum is pleased to partner with Delamar Mystic to provide special offers for hotel guests and Museum Members. Guests of the Delamar Mystic will receive free admission to Mystic Seaport Museum, and Museum Members will receive a discount at the restaurant. The hotel also features a dinghy dock for guests to visit the restaurant by boat.
Founding Partner of the Connecticut Blue Economy Coalition
The Connecticut Blue Economy Coalition (CBEC) held a ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing in June at Mystic Seaport Museum to build collaborative efforts on the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem, known as the blue economy. Founding Members include AdvanceCT, Climate Haven, GreenWave, Mystic Seaport Museum, OceanX, Project Oceanology, seCTer, ThayerMahan, and UCONN Avery Point. The CBEC will convene stakeholders to determine strategies for supporting the growth and stability of the blue economy through education, acceleration, advocacy, and communication. Each founding organization brings its own set of strengths, infrastructure, and networking opportunities, and together we will leverage our combined strengths to empower a sustainable future for blue economic growth in Connecticut. We thank Representative Holly Cheeseman, Senator Heather Somers,
Deputy Commissioner Hank Webster, Senator Catherine Osten, Selectwoman Deborah Motycka Downie, and Representative Aundré Bumgardner for their attendance at this important milestone event!
In August, Mystic Seaport Museum hosted the premier of the National Geographic series OceanXplorers with Co-CEO of OceanX, Vincent Pieribone. The episode delves into the pioneering marine research conducted aboard the vessel OceanX, focusing on the fascinating world of whale biology. CBEC partner ThayerMahan brought their research vessel Black Hawk to our docks for a tour and discussion of their work in advanced blue tech as part of the evening events.
We are very grateful to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Avatar Alliance Foundation for the loan of National Geographic Explorer-At Large James Cameron’s DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible over the summer. Cameron donated this historic vessel to WHOI after he trav-
eled solo to the deepest part of the ocean in 2012. The documentary film James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge screened at Mystic Seaport Museum over Labor Day weekend with a special video message from Cameron. WHOI’s David Fisichella also presented a family-oriented talk about ocean exploration to promote the exhibit of the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER and the related work at WHOI.
We also thank National Geographic, Disney+, LIGHTSTORM EARTH, and the Avatar Alliance Foundation for their support in screening an episode of their wonderful Secrets of the Octopus documentary on Labor Day weekend.
At the International Congress of Maritime Museums conference in Rotterdam and Amsterdam in September, Dr. Christina Connett Brophy presented and moderated panels on the Mystic Seaport Museum Blue Economy Initiative and the development and impact of CBEC to our colleagues from around the world.
Clockwise from left: Explorer and filmmaker James Cameron's DEEPSEA CHALLENGER; CBEC Founding Members at the MOU signing; Vincent Pieribone, Co-CEO and Chief Science Officer of OceanX, speaking at the Premier of OceanXplorers in the Museum's Thompson Exhibition Building; Research vessel Black Hawk, owned by ThayerMahan, docked at the Museum.
Sustainable Oyster Farming: Sixpenny Oyster Farm
Left: William Ceddia
Right: Jason Hamilton
Where tide meets stream, oyster farming thrives. The Museum sits along the Mystic River estuary, bringing unique authenticity to our exhibits and educational programming. The Thomas Oyster House, rightly situated on the banks of the estuary, arrived at the Museum in 1970 to represent the history and impact of the oyster industry. Just down the river, two twentysomethings, who formed an immediate friendship based on their mutual interest in the origins of our food, began a powerful partnership that is driving meaningful change in the industry. By merging their strengths and ideals, they set out on a mission to develop sustainable oyster farming solutions that benefit the environment and inspire others to get involved.
OWNERS AND THEIR JOURNEY
William Ceddia and Jason Hamilton are the co-owners of Sixpenny Oyster Farm located in Mystic, Connecticut. William grew up in Mystic, surrounded by the ocean, but he didn’t truly connect with it until his teenage years while working locally. Summers were often spent at his grandfather’s cabin in Michigan, far from saltwater. In contrast, Jason felt “landlocked” in central Connecticut, longing for the coastal experiences he cherished during summer visits to Mystic. In 2012, he made the move to the area, and soon after, he and William met while working at Fishers Island Oyster Farm, forming a lasting friendship.
William’s journey into aquaculture began unexpectedly. A summer job shucking
oysters at a local restaurant piqued his interest in food sources. Initially unsure about his path while in college, he was encouraged by a mentor to explore aquaculture. This led him to apply to the University of Rhode Island’s aquaculture program, where he discovered a passion for the field. While studying, he continued to work at Fishers Island Oyster Farm, gaining valuable experience that prepared him for a career in oyster farming. When the opportunity arose to take over Sixpenny Oyster Farm from founder Sally McGee, William and Jason acted immediately to acquire the leases with Sally’s help. They established their LLC in 2018 and began transforming a hobby farm into a successful enterprise.
THE FARM AND ITS PRACTICES
The farm is named after Sixpenny Island, a small marshy area where the Mystic River meets Fishers Island Sound. Nestled at the mouth of the Mystic River, Sixpenny Oyster Farm operates with a nursery in Beebe Cove and a depuration site off Ram Island. William and Jason start their sustainable approach by sourcing oysters from pathogen-free nurseries, ensuring a healthy stock without impacting wild populations. They typically purchase threequarter-inch oysters, targeting about 50% market readiness by the end of the growing season.
Their farming techniques diverge from traditional practices by emphasizing sustainability and visibility. The characteristics of Beebe Cove—its sheltered waters
and shallow depths—shape their methods. Rather than using traditional dredging, Sixpenny employs floating mesh bags of various sizes. These bags, approximately 18 inches long, float at the water’s surface where light, phytoplankton, and water flow are optimal for filter feeding. They have chosen not to use submerged cages, commonly used by other farmers. This unique environment allows William and Jason to manage about 600 floating bags containing roughly 250,000 oysters.
ROUTINE CARE AND GROWTH TECHNIQUES
To promote oyster growth, William and Jason follow a systematic routine. They handle the oysters every couple of weeks during the growing season, which involves tumbling the oysters, power washing the bags, and shaking the bags to remove fouling organisms. If needed, they lift the bags out of the water, shake them off, and then return them. Although oysters can survive out of water for a while, unwanted organisms like barnacles, mussels, sponge, and tunicates—all the things they don't want to grow around the oysters—do not thrive in those conditions. By laying the bags in the sun, they effectively kill off these fouling organisms. Interestingly, the temporary stress from this process can enhance the oysters' feeding and growth once they are returned to the water.
Routinely, the oysters are taken to a nearby work barge, where they are processed through a tumbler and re-sorted. Oysters can grow in unusual shapes, especially if they’ve formed around nearby rocks.
William Ceddia pulling bags of oysters from the water to be cleaned off and tumbled.
Sixpenny strives to cultivate thicker, more uniformly shaped oysters. The tumbler serves two purposes: it removes growth edges, which promotes a rounder shape, and it re-sorts the oysters so they can be placed back into appropriately sized bags. This regular sorting is crucial, as it ensures that similarly sized oysters are grouped together, preventing larger oysters from outcompeting smaller ones for food.
REGULATIONS AND SEASONAL OPERATIONS
Connecticut enforces stringent regulations to protect consumer health in oyster farming. Oysters enter a hibernation phase below 50°F, typically starting in November. The state determines the annual growing season, which usually runs from April to November. Following heavy rains, the farm may temporarily halt operations to ensure safety, adhering to state regulations for water quality testing. Once oysters reach market size, they must undergo a mandatory two-week stay in a “depuration site” to purge any contaminants. Oysters are moved from Beebe Cove to the depuration site near Ram Island, where they remain until harvested.
As the season end date approaches, the last oysters must be transferred to the depuration site at least two weeks before the closure. After this period, oysters can be harvested year-round and delivered to buyers, although no
movement between the farm and depuration site is allowed until the next season begins. During the winter and early spring months, oysters remain dormant.
Six Penny Oystering
COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Sixpenny Oyster Farm is a prime example of sustainable aquaculture. By focusing on environmental stewardship and local consumption, the farm contributes positively to community health and the ecosystem. Oysters are low in calories but high in protein, packed with essential vitamins and minerals. A small serving can provide a significant portion of daily requirements for nutrients such as B12, iron, and zinc. Additionally, farmed oysters filter 25 to 100 gallons of water each day, enhancing water quality and minimizing ecological disruption.
When Sixpenny began, it was one of only four farms in Connecticut using the innovative floating gear method, allowing for direct observation and interaction with the oysters during growth. Education is critical in bridging the gap between consumers and the aquaculture industry. Many people may not fully grasp the importance of farmed oysters and their environmental benefits. By promoting awareness of sustainable practices, William and Jason encourage more individuals to
choose farmed oysters, thereby supporting local economies and healthier ecosystems.
LOCAL SALES AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION
William and Jason focus on hyperlocal sales, managing six weekly distributions within their immediate area. They take pride in self-distribution, delivering freshly harvested oysters directly to local restaurants, which ensures quality control and fosters community connections. Staying local not only strengthens their business model but also builds lasting relationships with customers.
Reflecting on his journey, William states, “The sea has taught me resilience and adaptability. Working in aquaculture is not just about farming; it’s about respecting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Each day presents challenges influenced by nature, reminding us that while we strive for control, the ocean ultimately dictates our success.” Sixpenny Oyster Farm is dedicated to transparency, education, and strengthening community ties, embodying a commitment to sustainable practices and ecological harmony.
Sherri Ramella, Editorial Director
Jason Hamilton emptying bags and running the oysters through the tumbler.
“T he sea has taught me resilience and adaptability. Working in aquaculture is not just about farming; it’s about respecting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Each day presents challenges influenced by nature, reminding us that while we strive for control, the ocean ultimately dictates our success. ”
Welshman Thomas Thomas (1840–1918) went to sea as a sailor and spent time as a gold miner in Australia before arriving in New Haven, Connecticut, about 1869. He went into the oyster business, constructing the Thomas Oyster Co. building at Oyster Point (now called City Point) about 1874. As one of New Haven’s oyster entrepreneurs, he bought and sold oysters, built and operated oystering vessels, helped pioneer oyster farming (an early form of aquaculture), and invented an important oystering tool.
Under Thomas’s ownership, the building served as a culling shop, where oysters delivered from oyster boats were separated and sorted by size, then packed in barrels or burlap bags for shipment. Thomas sent market-size oysters to New York and beyond. He often sold the smaller “seed” oysters to Long Island oyster growers, who put them on their own beds to grow to market size.
Later, the building was converted into an opening or shucking shop. New Haven specialized in shucking oysters and packing the meats on ice for shipment to market. Shuckers, primarily women, cracked the tip of the shells, pried them open, and flipped out the meat, opening 500 or more oysters an hour.
The Thomas Oyster Co. building was used in the oystering business until 1956. It was donated to Mystic Seaport Museum in 1970, brought to the Museum by barge, restored with a sorting bench and tools for handling large quantities of oysters in the shell, and placed on the Museum’s wharf in 1984, a setting similar to its original location in New Haven.
Education Through a Maritime Lens
Mystic Seaport Museum believes in impact. Our multi-faceted education team, led by the imitable Sarah Cahill, Director of Education, commits daily to laying down groundbreaking new paths designed to engage and captivate children and youth. For day and overnight campers, for kids of every age and grade visiting the Museum with their family, school, club, or community group, we create authentic and immersive experiences that challenge them to put down their digital devices, explore new worlds, and discover who they really are.
Our Museum community believes that hands-on, interactive, real life experiences have the power to change and imprint lives. The best of them can spark a life-long relationship with the maritime world and the sea. By weaving best practices in experiential education into every aspect of our educational programs and interpretation of public history, our goal is engagement. We listen deeply to our communities to understand their needs and interests—from a fun day out to practical life skills for disengaged youth— and use our experience of American maritime narratives and skills to captivate imaginations. We believe in the limitless possibility of young people discovering and sharing their sea stories.
Children and youth are the future. The stories you read in the following pages attest to the profound power of connection, creativity, and collaboration. You will meet extraordinary students and a remarkable community of educators. Like they have for me, they will inspire you to be optimistic about our shared future. Prepare to be moved. Prepare to be motivated to help us reach our goals and impact kids’ lives. Welcome to our community!
Margaret Milnes, Vice President of Visitor Journey
Visitor aboard the Nautilus in the Voyage to the Deep - Underwater Adventures exhibition.
Center for Experiential Education: HELPING YOUTH THRIVE
The Museum’s Center for Experiential Education (CEE), now in its third year, focuses on under-resourced youth through experiential maritime education rooted in positive youth development. Through CEE, the Museum is a key partner in the development and implementation of programs that seek to address the challenges of youth engagement and postsecondary success. In Connecticut, over 119,000 high school students are at-risk or disconnected from school and opportunities (Getting Young People Back on Track: A Study of Connecticut’s At-Risk and Disconnected Young People; Dalio Education, October 2023).
Student learning shipsmithing skills.
MARITIME ADVENTURE PROGRAM
The CEE’s flagship initiative, the Maritime Adventure Program (MAP), enhances students’ social, emotional, and leadership skills through engaging activities, mentorship, and job skill development. Students participate in after-school programs during the academic year and work at the Museum over the summer. The curriculum includes boat building, carpentry, boating, seamanship, museum studies, outdoor education, and off-campus experiential learning. A crucial aspect is the creation of an employment pipeline at the Museum for youth from historically underserved communities. Paid afterschool work boosts retention and prepares students for summer employment at the Museum. Specialized programs are in place with local schools and organizations that meet the needs of students returning from outside placements, struggling in traditional classrooms, and those with intellectual disabilities.
Evaluation data has shown positive changes in resiliency, relationships, learning, and school engagement among MAP participants. The highest improvements were in assertiveness (84.6%), critical thinking (84.6%), perseverance (76.9%), learning interest (76.9%), and academic motivation (76.9%).
This past summer the Museum hosted a diverse team of experts from across the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with a goal of sparking interest in NOAA and related ocean careers. MAP students had the opportunity to meet with several people from NOAA to learn about careers, explore special equipment and technology, and speak with a wide range of employees including weather forecasters, deep ocean explorers, aquaculture and fisheries scientists, whale acoustic specialists, navigators, a NOAA Corps officer and a professional mariner recruiter with NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. NOAA also brought a navigation response vessel to the Museum which students were able to tour.
We continue to broaden our programs and partnerships to include single and multi-visit programs as well as annual overnight and weekly after-school sessions for under-resourced youth across multiple states from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania.
Sarah Cahill, Director of Education
Maritime Adventure Program SPOTLIGHT
Karla Reyes Cruz joined the Maritime Adventure Program (MAP) during its pilot season in early 2021. “I needed a job to start making money. At my age, it was hard to find employers that would hire me,” Karla explains. When she learned about the new opportunity with the Museum’s Maritime Adventure Program, which offered hands-on maritime skill development and leadership training, she immediately signed up.
“Being in the program opened me up a lot. During COVID, I got very comfortable in small groups or being by myself. The MAP program forced me to open up to new people and shed a little bit of my shyness. ”
—Karla
Reflecting on her experience, Karla appreciated the programming in boat maintenance, rowing, and sailing techniques, though she wasn't always enthusiastic about every activity. For instance, her first sailing experience on a chilly winter day was less than ideal. She was also challenged in unexpected ways: “Being in the program opened me up a lot. During COVID, I got very comfortable in small groups or being by myself. The MAP program forced me to open up to new people and shed a little bit of my shyness.”
By the summer of 2021, Karla's dedication and new skills earned her a seasonal role at the Museum's Boathouse. Since then, she has returned each year as an employee. It's hard to believe now that Karla was once shy; if you've rented a rowboat or sailboat at the Boathouse recently, you might have interacted with Karla, who is now seen as a confident leader and role model by her peers.
As she enters her senior year of high school, Karla is considering her college options. While she’s keeping her career options open and may not pursue a maritime field, her experience in the Maritime Adventure Program has significantly impacted her life. She shares, “Having my own sailboat is a new life goal of mine. It wasn’t something I ever thought about before I joined MAP. But now, I wake up and think about boats,” she says.
Kendall Wallace, Maritime Adventure Program Coordinator
Karla Reyes Cruz, Maritime Adventure Program student, monitoring the Museum's Boathouse visitors on the water.
Reyes Cruz, Maritime Adventure Program student
“I brought my HISTORY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE class to the Museum along with our VESSELS AND VOYAGES class. In all my years teaching, it was one of the best organized, information packed, and productive field trips I have ever had my students attend. ”
—History teacher from Guilford High School in Guilford, Connecticut
More than a Field Trip!
The Museum’s Education Department reaches 32,000 students annually through a diverse range of programs from field trips and overnight stays to a variety of summer camps, school programs, sail training, and virtual experiences. Students are immersed in maritime history, learning how astronomy, marine engineering, and maritime art and culture weave together to shape the lives of mariners and their families, and ultimately revealing how we are all connected to the sea.
Over the past four years, the Education Department has launched more than fifty new programs that are delivered in after-school settings and as workshops at the Museum. Our dedicated team of Museum Educators, trained in youth development, provide engaging after-school programs to 300 students weekly across five school districts and community organizations. Additionally, Mystic Seaport Museum has partnered with four Connecticut history museums
to provide free and discounted civics education programs for K–5 students.
Funded by a $1 million grant from the US Department of Education and administered by the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, the Civics Education for Connecticut Students project aims to enhance elementary civics education and foster stronger connections between history museums and schools.
The homeschool program has also expanded, offering five six-week series each year, developed by the Treworgy Planetarium, Sailing Center, and landbased staff, catering to homeschoolers throughout the school year.
Our programming continues to evolve, driven by the interests and needs of students, including many from underresourced communities, and our staff enthusiastically welcomes all young learners into our programs.
Barbara Jarnagin, Associate Director of School and Family Programs
Students with Museum Educator, Julie LaCava, discovering new treasures together.
“The ten summers spent at Mystic Seaport Museum have influenced me as an individual. When I was a young camper, I was rather quiet and strictly a follower of others. The thought that I could be a leader rarely crossed my mind as I was growing up. With the help and support of new friends each summer, and wonderful counselors, I was able to find my voice and a new role within this group over the years. As I grew older, I was able to embrace my leadership ability and volunteer in the programs I was once a camper in. Over the past few summers my previous counselors became my friends, my mentors, and a second support system outside of my own family. They were genuinely excited to hear about my dreams and future plans. I was not treated as a camper or subordinate, but an equal.
How do I say goodbye to a place filled with such warmth, that treated me with kindness and respect? How do I leave a place that helped shape me into the adult I’m becoming? I will carry the experiences with me and continue to reminisce with hopes of returning one day to contribute in another way, so that other young campers may follow in my footsteps, becoming better versions of themselves during their summers at the Museum.”
an excerpt from the college essay of a summer camper
AN OCEAN OF FUN!
For over forty years, the Museum’s Summer Day Camp has been a cherished tradition for children ages four to sixteen, offering a variety of engaging programs. Originally three two-week sessions, the camp now features eighteen week-long sessions, each with a unique theme, over nine weeks each summer. Programs include Ocean Adventurers, Arts Around the World, Space is the Place, Serpents, Secrets, and Sailors’ Superstitions, Time Travelers: Growing up in Greenmanville, and Solar System and Beyond.
The expansive campus, which includes the Sailing Center and Treworgy Planetarium, offers numerous activities. A popular choice is the Trade Winds camp, where campers explore 19th-century maritime trades in the morning and sail in the afternoon. The new Cornucopia of Curious Creatures program combines scientific observation, illustration, and history. Campers study local flora and fauna in the Mystic River, learn animal identification, and create field guides, culminating in a natural history-themed diorama art show for parents.
Summer Day Camps also focus on developing essential “soft skills” in social development, self-respect, character building, community living, and service. Through hands-on learning, children gain valuable life lessons from supportive adults in a collaborative environment.
Recently, the camps have partnered with Elevate to Even Plus, an organization aimed at breaking social and economic barriers by providing underrepresented young adults with work experience. This collaboration enriches our workforce and provides valuable opportunities for youth. Additionally, teens in the Museum's Junior Volunteer program support the camp, enriching the campers’ experience while also developing leadership skills.
The Summer Day Camp programs continue to evolve, adapting to the interests of each generation while offering enriching, educational experiences for all participants.
Kyra McClary, Summer Day Camp Director
Campers collecting samples for scientific observation.
“
The best part of my whole summer!
Thank you so much for giving me the chance to go to sailing camp. Here are some of my favorite moments at camp: Learning how to sail for the first time taught me how to navigate on the water. Going to the planetarium taught me many things I have not heard or seen before. Climbing the rope ladder gave me courage, responsibility, and a sense of adventure. Carving wood and printing my name gave me responsibility to use a knife and a printer. Finally, playing fun games gave me a chance to take a break and have some fun and make new friends. Once again, thank you for this scholarship which has given me the opportunity to learn and grow through sailing, I had so much fun! I will never forget the times I had at Joseph Conrad Sailing Camp. It has been the best part of my whole summer.”
—student in the Joseph Conrad Overnight Sailing Camp
SUMMER SAILING FOSTERS LEADERSHIP AND CONFIDENCE
Mystic Seaport Museum has been offering sailing programs since 1950 and established the La Touche Youth Training Building in 1961, now known as the Sailing Center. This facility is the hub for the Museum's summer sailing programs.
The Mariner Training Program began with six Dyer Dhows donated by local yacht clubs. Today, the Sailing Center, accredited by the US Sailing Association and licensed by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, boasts the world’s largest active fleet of Dyer Dhows. It supports Community Sailing and the Joseph Conrad Overnight Summer Sailing Camp and has added c420s for advanced sailors and prams for the Sea Stars program for six and seven-year-olds.
The Joseph Conrad Overnight Summer Sailing Camp, a cornerstone for over seventy years, combines residential camping with expert sailing instruction and maritime apprenticeships in craftsmanship, seamanship, astronomy, and navigation. Campers stay aboard the Joseph Conrad, participate in Treworgy Planetarium shows, and climb the Conrad’s rigging.
Community Sailing programs include weeklong summer camps, evening classes for adults, and lessons for homeschool and after-school groups. These programs feature both full and half-day sailing options and collaborate with the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and Mystic Aquarium.
The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program provides teenagers with leadership experience in day and residential camps, teaching skills in instruction, teamwork, and youth development. CITs embody the Museum’s values of respect, kindness, and teamwork.
These diverse educational experiences often lead to significant personal growth, such as overcoming sailing fears, earning powerboating licenses, and becoming CITs. Alex is one shining example. A young man who grew up attending the summer camps, completed the CIT program, and became a camp counselor, Alex is pictured here instructing other youth in the summer sailing program where he passes along those values of respect, kindness, and teamwork . . . as well as how to properly sail a boat.
Matthew Forte, Supervisor of Sailing Programs
Overnight at the Museum: During the School year
In addition to the Joseph Conrad Overnight Summer Sailing Camp, Mystic Seaport Museum offers two other overnight opportunities during the academic year: Ship to Shore and Anchor Watch. Together, these programs engage over a thousand students and scouts annually.
SHIP TO SHORE provides an immersive maritime experience aboard the 1882 full-rigged ship Joseph Conrad. Students explore maritime history and science through hands-on activities, sailing on the Mystic River, rowing a whaleboat, cooking in a historical kitchen, and making scrimshaw. They also participate in maritime trades, team-building activities, and rigging climbs. The program serves diverse institutions across multiple states and “breaks down barriers, ensuring that all young minds can explore the wonders of Mystic Seaport Museum.”
The Museum also hosts the Spring Valley Youth and Police Initiative (YPI) for a two-night, three-day program in late August. This initiative aims to bridge understanding between local youth and law enforcement through structured dialogue, team-building exercises, and role-playing scenarios, promoting mutual respect and addressing community policing challenges.
ANCHOR WATCH is specifically for scout groups, providing an immersive maritime experience. Scouts select a program theme and participate in related activities, often leading to specific scout badges. Our most popular program, Mighty Mariners, provides an opportunity for scouts to learn to sail.
Participants in the programs have shared that the experience “sparks curiosity,” “inspires dreams,” and “fosters a love for learning,” while educators have called these programs “a shining example of community service at its finest.”
Casey Duckett, Supervisor of Overnight Programs
“Something I learned about whaling is that it would take a lot of people to just capture one whale and they also had to get onto a smaller second boat to chase after the whale. After we finished learning about whaling, we went on an actual ship used for whaling. The ship had cool features like how it uses a prism to refract light so there can be a source of light under the ship. The second day was all about boats and ships. I learned how boats were made, what types of wood were used for boats, and how the shape of the boat affects the amount of cargo it can hold. We also got on a boat and rode it around the Mystic River. I also went sailing. Sailing was really fun, but I had a hard time making knots. Near the end of the day, we went to a planetarium. It was really cool to see the stars since seeing stars in New York City is a once in a blue moon occurrence.”
—student in the Ship to Shore program
Students learn to safely climb the rigging on the Joseph Conrad.
THE TREWORGY PLANETARIUM: Bringing Science to Life
“I do not begin to have the words to thank each of you enough for the amazing opportunity you provided my students and me today through our virtual field trip. The ‘Design a Mission’ program was absolutely perfect for our Terrors and Wonders of Space Exploration unit in English language arts. Your program not only supplied my students with knowledge, but they felt that you were truly invested in their educational process. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! I am 100% convinced Mystic Seaport Museum only employs complete rock stars. ”
—7th grade teacher from Mount Olive Middle School in Mount Olive, North Carolina
Since opening in 1960, the Museum’s Treworgy Planetarium has engaged over two million visitors through live programs and hands-on activities for Museum visitors, school groups, scout troops, college students, and community organizations such as the United States Coast Guard Academy. The Planetarium merges the Museum’s focus on maritime history with current science, technology, and mathematics related to weather, climate change, and celestial navigation. We continuously strive to diversify our narratives and audience engagement. Building on the success of programs funded by our 2021 NASA Community Anchor Award, we have continued our partnership with eighth-grade students from Windham Middle School. This program allows students to explore the electromagnetic spectrum, conduct spectroscopy experiments, classify celestial objects, perform mirror alignments, build model rockets, and launch the rockets over the Mystic River. Additionally, we have launched a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) series with new middle school partners in Plainfield and Canterbury, Connecticut. These hands-on activities, aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and NASA Mission Directorates, reached over 400 students in underserved northeastern Connecticut communities during the 2023-2024 school year. As we enter our third year of STEM partnerships, we continue to update our programs with the latest NASA content.
Recently, the Treworgy Planetarium introduced a new set of programs offering a multicultural perspective on the night sky. Shows within our Astronomy Passport program series amplify the star stories and the traditional ecological knowledge of different cultures, including Polynesians, the Inuit, and the Ojibwe tribe of the Great Lakes region.
Our lobby exhibit is also set for a transformation later this year. While the current exhibit focuses on European celestial navigation, the upcoming display will provide a broader view, showcasing a collection of stories about navigation and timekeeping from around the world. This new multicultural navigation exhibit will enhance visitor experiences by offering additional context and insight before, after, or in place of a planetarium show.
Brian Koehler, Supervisor of the Treworgy Planetarium
“ We want to thank you all for another amazing apprenticeship experience.
As always, you were so well prepared and so kind to our 5th graders. It is a unique learning experience that we feel so fortunate our students can have.”
—5th
grade teacher, Pine Point School, Stonington, Connecticut
Apprenticeship: The power of hands-on learning
In 2007, Museum educators teamed up with teachers at Pine Point School in Stonington, Connecticut, to develop an apprenticeship immersion program for 5th grade students. Designed to meet the school's assessment project and presentation goals, the program immerses students in various 19th-century trades and activities such as blacksmithing, coopering, printing, open-hearth cooking, and woodcarving. Students participate in multiple sessions with their mentors, allowing them to build relationships and gain a deep understanding of museum life and culture. This sustained interaction helps students explore the subject matter more thoroughly, reflect on their experiences, and engage with their mentors through new questions and perspectives. They also visit the Museum’s advanced Collections Research Center to learn about primary source research and give a final oral presentation to their peers and teachers at Pine Point.
A key aspect of the program is the collaboration between the Museum’s Education and Interpretation Departments. The Interpretation Department plays a crucial role in many educational programs throughout the year. This program reflects the Museum’s belief in hands-on, experiential learning to make history engaging and relevant. The program’s success, which has spanned seventeen years and served as a model for other schools and groups, highlights the effectiveness of immersive learning environments in museums.
Sarah Cahill, Director of Education
SUMMER INTERNSHIP BUILDS EXPERIENCE
Mystic Seaport Museum recently wrapped up its second annual Behindthe-Scenes Summer Internship program, which once again drew a diverse group of applicants eager to explore the museum industry. Interns were placed in the Visitor Journey, Public Programs, and Marketing Departments, where they gained practical experience in engaging with the public and promoting the Museum’s exhibitions and events.
The Museum's commitment to diversity and inclusion resulted in a record 87 applicants. Candidates were selected based on their academic achievements, community involvement, and potential to excel in a dynamic museum setting. The selection process involved discussions about their interests, career aspirations, and how they could contribute creatively to the Museum’s mission.
Interns in Visitor Journey and Public Programs assisted with events, provided information about exhibits, and ensured a positive visitor experience. Those in the Marketing Department worked on campaigns to boost Museum attendance, gaining insights into digital marketing, social media, and content creation. Their contributions were vital to the Museum’s success over the summer. The program also included mentoring and networking events, enhancing the interns’ professional development.
Jeanne Gade, Vice President, People and Culture
A First-Hand Account: Behind the Scenes
On my first day as a Behind-the-Scenes intern, I was greeted with warm introductions and engaging activities. As I met my fellow interns, I realized that many of them were studying fields directly related to the museum world, such as history, anthropology, museum studies, and maritime studies. This made me question my own value to the Museum as a marketing major and how I could contribute to its mission.
Throughout college, career advisors had only discussed paths within the for-profit sector, never highlighting the significant role marketing, finance, and business professionals play in non-profit organizations like Mystic Seaport Museum. This internship has shown me that the non-profit sector offers valuable opportunities that shouldn’t be overlooked.
My role in the Marketing Department involved critical support tasks. Over ten weeks, I launched the Museum’s first social media influencer program, helped develop, research, and produce the Sunday Boat Stories, and assisted with content creation and departmental research to enhance our support for the Museum.
In this short time, I gained extensive experience. I learned how to simplify and market complex information to the Museum’s audience by collaborating
with curators to highlight key aspects of artifacts and exhibits. I also discovered the importance of creating content for diverse audiences and saw firsthand the impact of social media in engaging the public. Additionally, I learned to manage media relations, ensuring smooth media visits and crafting responses to unfavorable situations diplomatically.
A key moment came toward the end of my internship when I discussed my work with another intern. She spoke about her research related to the Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty, and the Sea exhibit, leading me to realize the crucial role marketing plays in amplifying the Museum’s message. I told her, “Your team and the talented curators and interpreters do an incredible job communicating history. Once your work is done, my role begins: to spread your message and help the public appreciate its value.”
This experience confirmed that everyone has a valuable role at Mystic Seaport Museum and in the non-profit sector. Contrary to the stereotype that interns only handle mundane tasks, my time here has been challenging and rewarding, making this internship the best decision for my summer.
Nathan Taylor, Marketing Student, Central Connecticut State University
Schooner Brilliant’s Community Partnerships
Schooner Brilliant has thrived for over 70 years, thanks largely to the support from many community partners that have enhanced our sail training programs. Among these, three key collaborations stand out: Rocking the Boat, Sound School, and UConn Avery Point.
ROCKING THE BOAT
In the past two years, we have had the pleasure of partnering with Rocking the Boat, an organization based in the South Bronx that focuses on boatbuilding, sailing, and rowing. This partnership has provided Rocking the Boat's Sailing Apprentices the chance to experience sailing on Brilliant This exposure to a “big boat” setting has deepened their seamanship skills and fostered a greater appreciation for maritime traditions. One apprentice reflected on her experience, saying, “Throughout my time on Brilliant I learned so many things when it comes to sailing [and] deepened my knowledge on navigation and rigging. I was able to try new things I doubt I would have ever gotten the chance to do if it weren’t for my time on Brilliant. Needless to say, I had an amazing experience on Brilliant and an even better time with my crew!”
SOUND SCHOOL
Our longstanding relationship with Sound School, a public maritime high school in New Haven, highlights the enduring impact of our educational collaborations. Sound School students sail with us annually, refining their maritime skills and knowledge. One student shared, “Personally, the trip had quite the impact, not only in sailing and seamanship knowledge, but also in
“Personally, the trip had quite the impact, not only in sailing and seamanship knowledge, but also in mindsets; the innate ability to catch and solve problems in an unfamiliar setting, consider and attend the needs of others, and bond over a common experience are all skills that this fabulous program has given us.”
mindsets; the innate ability to catch and solve problems in an unfamiliar setting, consider and attend the needs of others, and bond over a common experience are all skills that this fabulous program has given us.” This immersive experience bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, fostering both personal growth and a sense of accomplishment.
UCONN AVERY POINT
Schooner Brilliant’s partnership with the University of Connecticut at Avery Point further extends our program’s impact by offering college credit to Maritime Studies students. This collaboration allows students to spend a week aboard Brilliant, applying navigation and seamanship skills in a real-world setting. This hands-on experience complements their classroom learning, preparing them for careers in maritime fields.
These partnerships collectively enhance Schooner Brilliant’s reach and effectiveness, supporting maritime education and community engagement.
Sarah Armour, Captain, Schooner Brilliant
UNMATCHED: The Frank C. Munson Institute of American Maritime History
For more than 60 years, the Frank C. Munson Institute at Mystic Seaport Museum has drawn graduate students, faculty, and independent scholars to its residential, five-week-long summer programs in maritime studies. In 2024, the Munson Fellowship came under the umbrella and leadership of the American Institute for Maritime Studies (AIMS) at Mystic Seaport Museum. Michael P. Dyer, MA, Curator of Maritime History, Elysa Engelman, PhD, Director of Research and Scholarship, Bridget Delaney-Hall, MA, Associate Curator of Maritime Social Histories, and I worked to ensure that both the graduate fellowship program and the undergraduate internship program offered rigorous interdisciplinary scholarship, hands-on opportunities, and collaboration among scholars.
This year the five-week residential graduate fellowship program had two courses of study. Michael Dyer taught a survey course titled American Maritime History and Culture,
“The access to primary source materials—in the Collections Resource Center, in class, exhibits, and on field seminars—is completely unmatched compared to any other studies or fellowship I've done. This, coupled with the amazing instruction and with roundtable discussions in class with the other fellows propelled my thinking and research stratospherically into new and exciting directions. ”
—2024 Fellow, Frank C. Munson Institute of American Maritime History
1602-1874, and I taught the seminar course Entwined: Black and Indigenous Maritime Perspectives. Graduate fellows from around the country represented various disciplines including underwater archaeology, archaeology, history, literature, genealogy, and poetry. Undergraduate interns focused on museum studies scholarship engaged in work across the Museum, visited other institutions, and focused on a core theme of Black and Indigenous Maritime Histories. Fellows and interns collaborated and engaged with each other on weekly field seminars in Mashantucket, Newport, New Bedford, Providence, and New Haven. From top-tier scholarship in the classroom, to a whaleboat row, to discussions in and outside of the classroom, guest lectures, and hands-on blacksmithing experience, this year's Munson Institute was an example of the value of interdisciplinary work and including broader narratives in our maritime story.
For further information, please contact Bridget Delaney-Hall, Frank C. Munson Institute Program Manager at bridget.hall@mysticseaport.org.
Akeia de Barros Gomes, PhD, William E. Cook Vice President of the American Institute for Maritime Studies
My journey through the Paul Cuffe Memorial Fellowship
Paul Cuffe, born in 1759 on Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts, was the son of a Wampanoag mother and a formerly enslaved African father. Active in the Quaker community, he founded a free school in Westport, Massachusetts. Before his death in 1817 he became a sea captain, shipowner, landowner, and respected community leader. Since 1989, the Museum’s Paul Cuffe Fellowship has provided funds to researchers from universities, colleges, and museums to encourage research that considers the participation of Native and African Americans in the maritime activities of America, particularly in New England.
Upon receiving the prestigious Paul Cuffe Memorial Fellowship, I was eager to embark on a research project that deeply resonated with my work as a genealogist and community historian focused on the often-overlooked narratives of African American mariners. Established in 1989, this fellowship has been pivotal in supporting research into the contributions of Native and African Americans to maritime history, especially in New England. My research aims to reveal the broad impact of African American seamen while highlighting individual stories, experiences, and legacies of families and communities, showcasing their unique journeys and enduring marks of survival and liberation.
With high expectations, I approached the fellowship as a perfect platform to delve
into the complex histories of African American mariners. Inspired by my greatgrandfather, Augustus Griffin—a seaman and longshoreman from the surrounding community of Albemarle Sound, port of Plymouth, North Carolina, who migrated to Massachusetts—I sought to understand why his descendants ventured so far from home and if others followed similar paths.
My research explores migration patterns, shifts in family dynamics, and the evolving social status of maritime families from communities along the Albemarle Sound during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. I aim to document their adaptations to coastal environments and their interactions with local inhabitants and global traders, shedding light on their significant yet often overlooked contributions.
The fellowship has provided invaluable time, access to contemporary scholars, and a framework for utilizing decolonizing methodologies. It has exceeded my expectations by granting access to crucial resources and field visits, fostering a supportive environment for advancing my research.
A highlight of the fellowship has been the weekly travel opportunities for experiential learning. Visiting museums, archives, and historical societies across New England has greatly enriched my understanding of maritime culture. Examining artifacts, shipbuilding techniques, and historical cartography
has deepened my insight into the roles of African American seamen in these communities.
Additionally, engaging with works by scholars like Marcus Rediker, Kevin Dawson, and William Hutchinson Rowe has refined my research approach. These discussions have emphasized the importance of documenting history in ways that reflect diverse experiences and challenge traditional, colonized methodologies. By incorporating the contributions of various laborers who supported maritime industries, my research now offers a more comprehensive view of these communities.
The Paul Cuffe Memorial Fellowship has profoundly advanced my research, providing more than I initially anticipated. The access to resources, intellectual community, and opportunities for in-depth study have enriched my understanding of African American maritime history. Connecting historical insights with present-day descendants of these maritime families ensures their legacies are preserved and honored. I am deeply grateful for the fellowship's support, which has enabled me to illuminate the stories of African American mariners and contribute to a broader, interdependent narrative of America's maritime past.
Shahidah Ahmad, MEd
2024 Paul Cuffe Memorial Fellow
Shahidah Ahmad, MEd, studying the coast of North Carolina on a James Imray and Son chart of the North Atlantic (London 1865) from the Museum's collections.
HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING
Crewneck Sweatshirt
Effortlessly channel nautical-chic style with the Mystic Seaport Museum sweatshirt. Oversized letters spanning from elbow to elbow make a bold statement, while the cozy, relaxed fit keeps you comfortable all day long. Whether you’re strolling the docks or exploring a new city, this sweatshirt will have you looking and feeling your best.
Color: Heather grey
Materials: 50/50 cotton/polyester
$70.00
*excludes
Deck Prisms
On the Water: A Century of Iconic Maritime Photography
The Rosenfeld Collection
Author Nick Voulgaris, III
Foreword by Robert Iger
Contributions by Dennis Conner and Ted Turner
Each timeless image comes to life in this celebration of the traditions of going to sea.
$65.00
In the days before electricity, light below a vessel’s deck was limited to candles, oil, and kerosene lamps. A clever solution for the light problem was the deck prism. Laid flush into the deck, the prism point drew light down below decks. This prism is an exact reproduction of the original deck prisms on the world’s last surviving wooden whaleship, the Museum's Charles W. Morgan
Large (only available in lt. green, pictured on left): $40.00, approximate dimensions, 4 1/2"h x 4 1/2"w
Small (currently available in lt. green, cobalt, and turquoise): $32.00, approximate dimensions, 3 1/4"h x 3"w
Brass Compass
A compass gift is the perfect symbol of guidance for the ones that mean the most to you. And this highly crafted brass pocket compass offers a distinctive gift that will be used often and never forgotten.
Size: 1.75 " dia.
$17.00
Brant Point Lighthouse Nightlight
Moonrise over Mystic Seaport Museum Holiday C ards
From original artwork by Kassie Foss. 10 cards with 10 envelopes
Proudly MADE IN THE USA!
Each card measures 5" by 7"
Inside: “Joy & Peace”
$27.00
Illuminate your home with the timeless charm of America's second oldest lighthouse.
The Mystic Seaport Museum Brant Point Lighthouse Nightlight casts a warm, soothing glow that evokes the tranquility of the open sea.
Measures: 5.75"h x 2.6"w x 1.75"d
$42.00
2025 Art of the Boat Wall Calendar
Featuring beautiful, iconic images from the Museum’s Rosenfeld Collection we offer our 2025 Art of the Boat wall calendar.
Size: 13 3/4"w x 10 1/4"h
Opens to 13 3/4"w x 20 1/2"h
$17.99
75 Greenmanville Avenue
FIND YOUR SEA STORY
UPCOMING EVENTS
Member Double Discount Days*
November 29-December 8
Lantern Light Village
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22
Fall Lecture Series: “The Survival of CIRRUS: A Maine Icon Reaches Home”
December 12
Community Carol Sing
December 22
Holiday Magic
December 26–29
Kids Countdown to New Year’s Day
December 31
*Members only
SEACLASS
Classes offered in sailing, letterpress printing, open hearth cooking, blacksmithing, wood carving, and sailmaking. Learn more at www.mysticseaport.org/seaclass.