NAVIGATING COVID-19

gress. Finding the As we now embark right route for the on our late fall and Museum and its winter events under crew through the the cloud of rising rocks and shoals of COVID-19 numbers, government support it is a good time to programs and in- look back at what creased unemploy- we have learned this ment benefits was summeran exercise in find- THE POWER OF ing the best worst FREE Offering Boatsolution. With no house rentals and guarantee of re- Liberty waterfront opening, and no way cruises at no addito forecast a return tional cost removed to normal atten- a barrier that was dance, the difficult decision was made to lay off a signifiAs we approached reopening day in late May, the question on everyone’s mind preventing us from fully sharing the magic of Mystic Seacant number of staff members. was, would visitors return to our Museum? port Museum with our guests. So many

Without any doubt, families stepped into that was the lowest day of the pandemic experience. a human-powered craft for the first time in their lives From that point forward, the remaining staff began to this summer and could experience Mystic and the Muwork on how to reopen, as opposed to how to close. seum from a new vantage point and make a small but What to open, when to open, what guidance to follow, tactile connection to the seafaring world. social distancing, etc. were topics that joined the con- MAKING A “MYSTIC MOMENT” Reimagining our visitor tinuing discussions of PPP, lines of credit, government interaction with less staff highlighted the need to conaction, and how to keep the Museum afloat. tinue to make a connection with our visitors. Whether

As we approached reopening day in late May, the it came from our roving interpreter, boathouse attenquestion on everyone’s mind was, would visitors return dant, or volunteer at the informational Nav Station, our to our Museum? While Disney uses the term “imagi- staff worked hard to ensure that each visitor had a neer” for its theme park designers, all of our staff be- “Mystic Moment.” In a year where we all feel the loss came instant “re-imagineers” as new models of opera- of personal interactions, this was an important way to tions and visitor services were developed and changed make a connection. on the fly. A week of free admission to the grounds THE DIVERSE TALENTS OF OUR STAFF Whether inventing was the first step, and a high number of visitors at- an online class, tool sharpening over Zoom, or managtended. Building on the free concept, Liberty launch ers teaching the basics of rowing, the Museum’s staff tours were made free, and Boathouse boat rentals stepped in and stepped up, truly showing the spirit of were made free as well. Both of these proved to be what we call “The Mystic Way.” extremely popular throughout the summer, culminating As this stormy voyage continues we will have to keep in long lines for both boat rentals and for the launch our hatches battened down, prepare contingency tours, something not experienced in recent years. plans and options for the winter and next year, all while

As visitor numbers increased through the summer, looking forward to a new hand at the wheel with a new further activities were added as staff levels permit- president coming aboard to build on Steve White’s ted. Events that could be held in a safe manner were steady leadership through this tough year. reviewed and re-engineered for COVID-19, and this enabled us to maintain some of the regular events of Chris Gasiorek is interim executive vice president. summer such as the Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous, the Antique Marine Engine Expo, and the September antique car show.

Susan Stucke Funk: A Farewell after 40 Years By Claire Calabretta