tell, for the history of naval architecture is very much the history of physics. The fullscale model of Diligence could be used to illustrate the beginnings of the machine age, with Newton’s principles rendered in wood, rope, and canvas, with a little iron thrown in. With Olympia comes an understanding of metallurgy, thermodynamics, and electricity applied to Newton’s mechanics. Becuna continues the theme through stories that introduce analog computers, internal combustion, sonar, and radio. Throughout are the principles of naval architecture: displacement, buoyancy, hull form, propulsion, and so on. The range of time represented by these three vessels offers the opportunity to examine the changes in shipboard life over the years. As one of the first ships equipped with refrigeration, Olympia offered her crews a significant shift in diet from the hardtack and salt pork that crews would have found aboard Diligence. The hammocks of Olympia give way to built-in berths for the entire crew aboard Becuna. Ships are a microcosm of the culture and era that produces them. Having representatives across two centuries offers opportunities to show the changes in society. History is not limited to battles fought and
won—or lost; it is about changes to the fabric of society. Taking a holistic approach offers the best opportunities for increasing appeal to a wide range of audiences. A person not interested in battles might be interested in cookery, or the roles played by the members of various ethnic groups who served aboard, or the engineering principles involved in making the ship go, or the medical facilities available in each era, or the impact of each vessel on the environment. All offer opportunities. Independence Seaport Museum strives to appeal to a family audience. To do this
library of congress
Crew’s mess in Olympia, circa 1899
effectively, engaging the kids must be a priority. By catching their attention, the adults with them then have a choice: either engage with the kids in an activity, or use that activity as a way to get a break and take in something more suited to an adult audience. In this way, everyone has a good time. Diligence was built with this in mind, and it has been a hugely popular exhibit since it was completed in 2016. Kids can’t wait to board the ship, pull on ropes, take the helm, and pretend to fire cannons. Adults have the opportunity to do these things as well, or they can have a look at the adjacent gallery, which is a traditional display of documents, models, and paintings. Making the galleries more interactive is an approach the museum is striving for throughout its building and ships. This approach offers a new way to use collections, creating environments in which to learn and have fun. As each new major exhibit opens, and as we continue to interpret Olympia and Becuna, the Independence Seaport Museum will increasingly become a place to do things in surroundings rich in history and the maritime arts. John Brady is the president and CEO of the Independence Seaport Museum. He has more than three decades of experience working in the maritime heritage and preservation field. Before becoming CEO, Brady was the director of the museum’s Workshop on the Water for sixteen years, bringing the Workshop to national prominence as a boatbuilding and maritime education center. He is an active sailor and steward of traditional boats of all kinds.
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