Nautical Nightmares: Blood of the Mutineers
 
A Premier Halloween Event in Connecticut.

2009 Performance Dates:
October 16-18, 23-25 and 29-31

A vengeful captain, a villainous mutineer, a witness driven mad and a jury of the damned...this autumn, join us for our Halloween production, Nautical Nightmares: Blood of the Mutineers. Search the darkened village for clues to the captain's unrest. But beware! This village is haunted by a secret that only its ghostly victims can bring to light.

Tours begin nightly at 6:15 p.m and leave every 15 minutes.

NOTE: Nautical Nightmares tours will begin at the Museum's North End entrance (by Seamen's Inne). For easiest access, please park in the North parking lot and proceed through the walkway to the North gate entrance for check-in and ticket purchase on performance nights.

This event is not recommended for children under 12. Nautical Nightmares is not wheelchair accessible as it includes several steps.

Tickets: Adult: $19, Youth (Ages 4-18): $18
Member Adult: $17, Member Youth (Ages 4-18): $16

A $2 per-ticket handling fee will be applied to all reservations.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets available online or by calling 860.572.5322.

To aid the shiprights working in the hold of the CHARLES W. MORGAN, an overhead trolly system was installed.

Ahoy, matey. Even the most confirmed landlubbers will be transformed into savvy sea dogs after boarding one of Mystic Seaport's many historic vessels. From the world's last wooden whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan, to the last example of early 20th-century New England fishing vessels, the L.A. Dunton, these vessels offer a glimpse of long-past seafaring days.

And you can do a lot more than just look. Take a cruise along the historic Mystic River aboard the 1908 steamboat Sabino, who is celebrating her 100th birthday this year. Help set a sail aboard the full-rigged Joseph Conrad. Or, participate in our ever-popular "Dead Horse Ceremony."

The Charles W. Morgan is towed to the Henry B. DuPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport to begin a three-year restoration effort.

The Morgan's $5 million restoration project will renew areas of the vessel from the waterline down to below the turn of her bilge, including parts that haven't been seen since she was built more than 160 years ago.

A National Historic Landmark and the Museum's signature vessel, the Morgan was built in 1841 in New Bedford, MA. During her 80-year whaling career, she made 37 voyages across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. In 1941, the Morgan came to Mystic Seaport where millions of visitors have since walked her decks.

 

Video edited by: Brandon Morgan

Olin J. Stephens II, America's preeminent yacht designer of the 20th century -- died September 13, 2008 -- five months to the day after celebrating his 100th birthday.

Widely recognized as the most respected, admired and accomplished yacht designer of the 20th century, Stephens once said, "I was lucky: I had a goal. As far back as I can remember, I wanted to design fast boats." And this is exactly what he did. He began his career at the age of 19 working as an apprentice for successful 6-meter yacht designer Phillip Rhodes. On November 11,1929, the 21-year-old Stephens joined forces with well-known yacht broker Drake Sparkman and Sparkman & Stephens, Inc. was formed. The naval architecture and yacht design firm's first major design -- a yacht named Dorade -- won the much-publicized 1931Trans-Atlantic Race. She then went on to win the 1936 TransPac, finishing first in class and first overall. A new era of yacht design had begun.

Stephens' name is most often associated with the prestigious America's Cup Race. In 1937, he collaborated with W. Starling Burgess to design the Super-J, Ranger, which was later selected to defend the Cup after only seven races. Sparkman & Stephens went on to design many of the most revered 12-Meters that raced for the Cup, including Columbia, Constellation, Freedom, Intrepid and Courageous. In 1993, Stephens' and his winning designs were honored when he was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame.

Stephens designed more than 2,000 boats throughout his career, many of which still grace the water today. After eight decades of brilliant work, he has left a lasting impact on the maritime community. His numerous designs, contributions and commitment to the worlds of yacht racing and cruising are cherished, as is he.

This video is a tribute to his life and legacy.

Learn more about Stephens' life and career in his autobiography, All This and Sailing, Too.

Renewal of championship model racing will occur at the 2008 Model Yacht Regatta on Mystic Seaport's waterfront August 21 - 24. It will feature radio-controlled (R/C) model classes as sanctioned by the American Model Yachting Association (AMYA) with the support of its U.S. Vintage Model Yacht Group (VMYG). A total of 60 R/C models and skippers will compete on race courses with marker buoys using highly-honed racing tactics. These models are based on well-known classic designs, such as Star, 12-Meter and J boats. Mystic Seaport's R/C Laser fleet will be available for visitors to experience hands-on model yachting. More information on this sport is on the AMYA web site: www.ModelYacht.org

This video was produced in 2004 following the 5th Annual Model Yacht Regatta.

Sabino's 100th Birthday Celebration
Saturday and Sunday, August 9-10
9 a.m.-5p.m.

It's a party on the green all weekend long with food, music and activities for the whole family. Enjoy an a la carte menu while raising a glass to toast Sabino on 100 years well served. Don't forget to leave room for cake!

Celebrate the power of steam and enjoy steamers and Steamboat Ale from our Grill-on-the-Green, observe how steam engines operate in the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard and watch as steam-powered cars are driven through the Museum grounds.

Get the whole family involved in games on our Village Green, try your hand at a variety of craft projects and test your skill while playing with toys from long ago.

 

Video Produced by: Brandon Morgan

Come to Mystic Seaport for a gathering of classic vehicles just like any other, except this one happens to take place on the water!

The Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous is a dazzling display of high-quality antique vessels built before 1965, including cruisers, sailboats, runabouts, launches and more. An award competition recognizes excellence in restoration, authenticity and workmanship.

This year's Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous honors our own steamboat Sabino, the 57-foot coal-fired steamer and National Historic Landmark vessel built 100 years ago in East Boothbay, Maine. She entered service in 1908 for the Damariscotta Steamboat Company, delivering vacationing passengers, or "rusticators" to the numerous hotels and boarding houses along the 12 miles of the scenic Damariscotta River.

Sabino was retired in 1975 and began a new era of passenger service at Mystic Seaport. The significant restoration and meticulous care she received at the Museum was recognized in 1992 when Congress designated Sabino a National Historic Landmark.

Dressed and in pristine condition, approximately 50 classic vessels create a colorful gathering along the Museum's waterfront all day Saturday and Sunday morning for your viewing pleasure. Sunday at 12:45 p.m., Sabino leads the vessels in a jubilant, costume- and music-filled three-mile parade down the Mystic River.

July 26-27, 2008 - Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Downriver Parade Begins Sunday at 12:45 p.m.


Video produced by: Brandon Morgan

Ahoy, matey! Join us for an afternoon of family fun during April school vacation week. Save your energy for the pirate treasure hunt -- fun for the whole family. A special Planetarium program teaches how pirates navigated the high seas. And make your own special Pirate Day souvenir!

Music for this episode performed by Mystic Seaport Chanteyman Ken Sweeney.

During the week after Christmas there's magic in the air at Mystic Seaport. Correspondent Dan Harvison tells you all about it.

The holidays are here and Mystic Seaport is all dressed up for the season.  Over 150 handmade and decorated wreaths are on display throughout the Museum grounds.  Preparations begin early and correspondent Dan Harvison is here to tell you all about it. 

It was once said that membership has its privileges and the same is true at Mystic Seaport. In this episode, correspondent Brian Berube takes you into the Member's Corner to show you the many benefits of being a Museum Member. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about the Museum called Inside Mystic Seaport.

The Staff Spotlight segment of Inside Mystic Seaport highlights a member of the Museum's staff and shows why they are one of our great unaccessioned treasures. In this episode, you are introduced to Museum gardener, Steve Sisk. Steve's job at Mystic Seaport is caring for the Museum's many plants and gardens and is one of the main reasons that our grounds look so beautiful all year long. As you will see, Steve's talent is not only confined to gardening as he is an accomplished photographer as well. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about the Mystic Seaport.

The Davey Jones' Locker segment of Inside Mystic Seaport takes a look at some of the weird and unusual objects and customs of a seafaring life. In this episode, correspondent Rick Spencer examines a strange and unusual ship model. What make this model so strange and unusual?  You'll have to see for yourself. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about Mystic Seaport.

Happy New Year fellow Mystic Seaport Podcast subscribers! We start the new year with a video from the Davey Jones' Locker segment of Inside Mystic Seaport. Davey Jones' Locker takes a look at some of the weird and unusual objects and customs of a seafaring life. In this episode, correspondent Rick Spencer meets with Curator Chris White as he shows us a few interesting and unusual artifacts in the collection at Mystic Seaport. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about the Museum.

On Sunday December 17th, 2006, join thousands of your closest friends in song as we celebrate the holiday season. The Community Carol Sing at Mystic Seaport is the perfect way to spread your holiday cheer. It's not just any carol sing. You'll be backed by a brass quartet, the Mystic Seaport carollers and the beautiful backdrop of the Mystic River. Admission to the Museum is free that day but we ask that you bring a canned good to donate to a local charity. The Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the Carol Sing commencing at 3 p.m. in Anchor Circle. We hope to see you there!

The Kids Eye View segment of Inside Mystic Seaport examines the Museum from a younger perspective. In this episode, reporters Liz Watrous and Jenn Johnson visit the Costume Shop where many of the Museums costumes are created and maintained. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about Mystic Seaport.

The Business Watch segment of Inside Mystic Seaport explores some of the many products offered by the Museum. In this episode, correspondent Louisa Watrous reports on the Daniel S. Gregory Ships Plans Library. Whether you are building your own boat or just looking for some art to hang on your walls, the Ships Plans Library is the perfect place to look. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about Mystic Seaport.

The Staff Spotlight segment of Inside Mystic Seaport highlights a member of the Museum's staff and shows why they are one of our great unaccessioned treasures. In this episode, you are introduced to squad foreman and college educator, Mary K. Bercaw Edwards, who can be seen climbing the rigging of the CHARLES W. MORGAN as well as in the classroom teaching the students of the Williams/Mystic Maritime Studies program.. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about the Mystic Seaport. 

The Readin', 'Ritin' & 'Rithmatic segment of Inside Mystic Seaport delves into the many educational opportunities that are available at the Museum.  In this episode, correspondent Suzanne Reardon tells you all about the boatbuilding classes At Mystic Seaport. The John Gardner Boat Shop is named in honor of the boatbuilder, educator and author who founded Mystic Seaport's boatbuilding courses more than 30 years ago. Today, the Boat Shop continues to research, document, replicate and teach the craft of traditional boatbuilding. Learn traditional boatbuilding skills, work on our boats or build something of your own to bring home. We're offering new courses and expanding old favorites, so come to Mystic Seaport today for a John Gardner Boat Shop Course! This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about Mystic Seaport.

In September of 2003, Mystic Seaport held their first Arctic Boat weekend and this year it is back by popular demand. Come visit Mystic Seaport this September 9th and 10th to learn all about this versital type of native watercraft. This two-day event features boat-building (see how a Greenland kayak is built or help build and paddle an Umiak), paddling (learn some of the more than 30 ways to roll your kayak over and back up again, or how to paddle with one of those skinny, traditional paddles) and the history of the sport. Swap stories and boats with others interested in native watercraft or try your hand at shaping a wooden paddle with simple hand tools. Join experts in the skill-sharing sessions both on and off the water to improve your paddle stroke. Watch Qajaq USA members as they demonstrate how capable these boats can be. This clip originally aired in Connecticut during late 2003 as part of a public access program about the Museum called Inside Mystic Seaport.

See the Charles W. Morgan like you've never seen her before. The Charles W. Morgan: Voyages of the Past, Present and Future Buzz Card is an interactive CD-ROM that takes you on deck and below to view the ship with a fantastic 3-D panoramic virtual tour. Facts about the Morgan and whaling as well as fun games and demonstratons round out your experience on board one of the nation's most famous whaling ships.  The American Library Association has named the Buzz Card to its 2006 list of Notable Computer Software for children. The association recognizes high-quality computer programs for children 14 years of age and younger.  You can find the Buzz Card at the Seaport Store or online at our website.

The Readin', 'Ritin' & 'Rithmatic segment of Inside Mystic Seaport delves into the many educational opportunities that are available at the Museum.  In this episode, correspondent Suzanne Reardon tells you all about the Museum's History To Go outreach program, a program that takes the Museum to people of all ages. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about Mystic Seaport.

The Staff Spotlight segment of Inside Mystic Seaport highlights a member of the Museum's staff and shows why they are one of our great unaccessioned treasures. In this episode, you are introduced to chanteyman Don Sinetti, whose big voice can be heard anywhere on the museum grounds whenever he sings. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about the Mystic Seaport. 

The Davey Jones' Locker segment of Inside Mystic Seaport takes a look at some of the weird and unusual objects and customs of a seafaring life. In this episode, correspondent Rick Spencer takes a "look" at one of the most unusual artifacts in the Museum's collection, a whale's eyeball. What is more interesting is the story of how it got here and the man who brought it. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about Mystic Seaport.

The Staff Spotlight segment of Inside Mystic Seaport highlights a member of the Museum's staff and shows why they are one of our great unaccessioned treasures. This episode introduces you to Planetarium Director, Don Treworgy, who has been teaching young and old to look to the stars for over forty years at Mystic Seaport. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about the Museum.

The Davey Jones' Locker segment of Inside Mystic Seaport takes a look at some of the weird and unusual objects and customs of a seafaring life. In this episode, correspondent Rick Spencer investigates the Crossing the Line Ceremony where unsuspecting "pollywogs" meet the great King Neptune, ruler of the High Seas. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about Mystic Seaport.

Genealogy is a quickly growing hobby and Mystic Seaport has many resources to help you find out about your past. Correspondent Cherie Sweeney tells you what is available. This clip originally aired in Connecticut as part of a public access program about the Museum called Inside Mystic Seaport.

Charles W. Morgan, the last American wooden whaleship in existence, is the crown jewel of the collection at Mystic Seaport. Learn all about her and see what steps are being taken to restore and preserve her to insure that she continues to tell the stories of the men that helped build our great nation.

Mystic Seaport has a lot to offer. Mark Starr tells you all about it.

Boys and girls, ages 10-15, come to Mystic Seaport to learn to sail, sleep on a square-rigger and have fun during this one week intensive sailing camp.

Ever want to learn how to sail? Already know how to sail and just want to pick up a few pointers? Just love being on the water? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Community Sailing Program at Mystic Seaport is perfect for you.

What is Mystic Seaport all about? Find out from a bird's eye view.

The Art of the Boat exhibit at Mystic Seaport show off a few of the many stunning photographs in the Museum's Rosenfeld Collection.

Getting out on the water at Mystic Seaport is an incredible experience. Peter Glankoff tells you why.