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Author: Mystic Seaport Museum
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The L.A. DUNTON
19th-Century Whaling Ship and National Historic Landmark Reopens to the Public August 9
Mystic, Conn. (Aug. 6, 2014) — The Charles W. Morgan was welcomed home to Mystic Seaport Wednesday, August 6 following the completion of her historic 38th Voyage. The ship was towed from New London to the Museum, where she is now tied up at her traditional berth at Chubb’s Wharf. The 19th-century whaling ship and National Historic Landmark will reopen to the public Saturday, August 9.
The Morgan was built in New Bedford, Mass. in 1841 and sailed 37 voyages around the globe during an 80-year whaling career. This past May, following a five-year, multi-million dollar restoration, the ship set out on her last voyage— perhaps her most important— to raise awareness of America’s maritime heritage and to call attention to issues of ocean sustainability and conservation. It was the first time the Morgan had left Mystic Seaport since her arrival on November 8, 1941.
With Capt. Richard “Kip” Files at the helm, the ship departed Mystic Seaport May 17 and visited New London, Conn., Newport, R.I., Vineyard Haven, Mass., New Bedford, Mass., the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Boston, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy as part of the centennial celebration of the opening of the Cape Cod Canal.
“The nearly three-month journey was a commemoration of the role of the sea in the history of America and an appreciation of our changing relationship with the natural world,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport. “Taking this American icon, the oldest surviving commercial ship in the country, out on her 38th Voyage was a landmark achievement for Mystic Seaport. We truly accomplished our mission to celebrate our nation’s shared maritime heritage.”
More than 64,000 visitors climbed aboard the Charles W. Morgan and visited dockside exhibitions during the 38th Voyage. Highlights of the journey included the Morgan’s homecoming to New Bedford, docking next to the USS Constitution in Boston, and teaming up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at Stellwagen Bank to observe whales in their natural environment.
“For Mystic Seaport the 38th Voyage represents a dynamic new model for engaging with the public. We have added to the whaleship’s historical record and now have a powerful body of knowledge, sensory experiences, images, sounds, and visceral and artistic human responses that all contribute to our understanding of 19th-century whaling and the human-whale dynamic,” said Susan Funk, executive vice president of Mystic Seaport. “The voyage has reinforced our vision of the role of museums in the 21st century, and how museums like Mystic Seaport can play a vital, continued role in education— how the objects we preserve, like the Charles W. Morgan, are no longer simply static exhibits but rather dynamic, ever changing platforms for public engagement.”
Throughout the voyage, some 80 individuals from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds sailed aboard the ship and participated in an unprecedented public-history project as 38th Voyagers. This group, which included artists, historians, scientists, journalists, teachers, musicians, scholars and whaling descendants, documented and filtered their experience aboard the Morgan and will produce a creative product for Mystic Seaport to share with the public.
“The Charles W. Morgan is an exceptional and truly unique artifact of our shared maritime heritage,” said White. “While the ship is an American icon and a living portal into an important chapter of American history, she now embarks on a new journey with transformed purpose. She’s no longer an instrument of commerce but a source of education, knowledge, and understanding. The 38th Voyage was truly seeing history come alive.”
The Morgan now resumes her role as an exhibit vessel at Mystic Seaport.
About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children 6-17. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted for free.
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38th Voyage Complete
The Charles W. Morgan was welcomed home to Mystic Seaport on August 6 following the completion of this summer’s historic 38th Voyage. The 19th-century whaleship was towed from City Pier in New London to the Museum, where she is now tied up at her traditional berth at Chubb’s Wharf.
Built in New Bedford, Mass. in 1841, the Morgan sailed 37 voyages around the globe during an 80-year whaling career. This past May, following a five-year, multi-million dollar restoration, the ship set out on her last voyage— perhaps her most important— to raise awareness of America’s maritime heritage and to call attention to issues of ocean sustainability and conservation. It was the first time the National Historic Landmark had left Mystic Seaport since her arrival in 1941.
With Captain Richard “Kip” Files at the helm, the Morgan departed Mystic Seaport May 17 and visited New London, Conn., Newport, R.I., Vineyard Haven, Mass., New Bedford, Mass., the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Boston, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy as part of the centennial celebration of the opening of the Cape Cod Canal.
“The nearly three-month journey was a commemoration of the role of the sea in the history of America and an appreciation of our changing relationship with the natural world,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport. “Taking this American icon, the oldest surviving commercial ship in the country, out on her 38th Voyage was a landmark achievement for Mystic Seaport. We truly accomplished our mission to celebrate our nation’s shared maritime heritage.”
More than 64,000 visitors climbed aboard the Morgan and visited dockside exhibitions during the 38th Voyage. Highlights of the journey included the ship’s homecoming to New Bedford, docking next to the USS Constitution in Boston, and teaming up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at Stellwagen Bank to observe whales in their natural environment.
“For Mystic Seaport the 38th Voyage represents a dynamic new model for engaging with the public. We have added to the whaleship’s historical record and now have a powerful body of knowledge, sensory experiences, images, sounds, and visceral and artistic human responses that all contribute to our understanding of 19th-century whaling and the human-whale dynamic,” said Susan Funk, executive vice president of Mystic Seaport. “The voyage has reinforced our vision of the role of museums in the 21st century, and how museums like Mystic Seaport can play a vital, continued role in education — how the objects we preserve, like the Charles W. Morgan, are no longer simply static exhibits but rather dynamic, ever-changing platforms for public engagement.”
Throughout the voyage, some 80 individuals from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds sailed aboard the ship and participated in an unprecedented public-history project as 38th Voyagers. This group, which included artists, historians, scientists, journalists, teachers, musicians, scholars and whaling descendants, documented and filtered their experience aboard the Morgan and will produce a creative product for Mystic Seaport to share with the public.
“The Charles W. Morgan is an exceptional and truly unique artifact of our shared maritime heritage,” said White. “While the ship is an American icon and a living portal into an important chapter of American history, she now embarks on a new journey with transformed purpose. She’s no longer an instrument of commerce but a source of education, knowledge, and understanding. The 38th Voyage was truly seeing history come alive.”
National Historic Landmark Ship to Conclude 38th Voyage
Mystic, Conn. (August 4, 2014) — The Charles W. Morgan will return to Mystic Seaport on Wednesday, August 6. The ship will be towed from New London to the Museum, where it will tie up at its traditional berth at Chubb’s Wharf. This will be the conclusion of the vessel’s historic 38th Voyage.
The ship is scheduled to depart City Pier in New London at 2 p.m. and is estimated to arrive at Mystic Seaport at 5:30 p.m. Current plans have the ship entering the mouth of the Mystic River around 3:45 p.m., although weather and sea conditions could affect the arrival time and people interested in viewing the journey should factor in the possibility that the vessel could be ahead of schedule.
Updates on the ship’s progress will be posted on the Mystic Seaport website.
A homecoming ceremony will be held immediately upon the ship’s arrival. The public is invited to gather at Chubb’s Wharf to welcome the ship back to the Museum. Elements and activities from the dockside exhibit that accompanied the ship will be set up on the wharf, including Spouter, a life-size, inflatable sperm whale model. Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern will remain open for food and beverage service, although Museum exhibits will be closed after 5 p.m.
There will be a reduced admission of $5 beginning at 5 p.m. Children 5 and younger and Mystic Seaport members will be admitted free.
Should weather prevent the ship from arriving on Wednesday, it will transit from New London on Thursday, August 7, or Friday, August 8. Specific timing is to be determined.
The Morgan will reopen to visitors on Saturday, August 9.
A National Historic Landmark, the Morgan was built in 1841 and sailed on 37 voyages around the globe during an 80-year whaling career. This latest voyage, the ship’s 38th, was undertaken to raise awareness of America’s maritime heritage and to call attention to issues of ocean sustainability and conservation. The ship departed Mystic Seaport on May 17 and visited New London, Conn., Newport, R.I., Vineyard Haven, Mass., New Bedford, Mass., the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Boston, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy as part of the centennial celebration of the opening of the Cape Cod Canal.
Links:
mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/connect/press/
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stowaway
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stories
Social Media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mysticseaport
Twitter: @mysticseaport, #charleswmorgan, #38thvoyage
About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children 6-17. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted for free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/
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Coming Home
Mystic — Mystic Seaport will welcome the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan back from her historic 38th Voyage on Wednesday, August 6. The ship, which is scheduled to depart City Pier in New London at 2 p.m, will be towed to the Museum and is estimated to arrive at 5:30 p.m.
Current plans have the Morgan entering the mouth of the Mystic River about 3:45 p.m., although weather and sea conditions could affect the arrival time and people interested in viewing the journey should factor in the possibility that the vessel could be ahead of schedule. Updates on the ship’s progress will be posted on the Mystic Seaport website.
A homecoming ceremony will begin immediately upon the ship’s arrival. The public is invited to gather at Chubb’s Wharf to welcome the ship back to the Museum. Elements from the 38th Voyage dockside exhibit will be set up on the wharf, including Spouter, a life-size, inflatable sperm whale model. Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern will also remain open for food and beverage service, although Museum exhibits will close at 5 p.m.
There will be a reduced admission of $5 beginning at 5 p.m. Children ages 5 and younger and Mystic Seaport members will be admitted for free.
Should weather prevent the ship from arriving on August 6, it will transit from New London on Thursday, August 7 or Friday, August 8. Specific timing is to be determined.
The Morgan will reopen to visitors on Saturday, August 9.
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Hands-On History
After a long transit from Buzzards Bay, Mass., the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan arrived at City Pier in New London, Conn. early in the morning on Wednesday, July 30. Due to the length of the journey, the ship was towed and not sailed on this leg of the voyage. This is the last stop on an historic 38th Voyage that included port visits in Newport, R.I., Vineyard Haven, Mass., New Bedford, Mass., the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Boston, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay.
While in New London, the vessel will head out onto Long Island Sound for three final day sails on July 31 and August 1-2. The ship will not be open to the public during this time.
The Morgan is scheduled to make her triumphant return to Mystic Seaport at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6. A homecoming celebration, set to begin at 5 p.m., will await her arrival at Chubb’s Wharf. Elements of the 38th Voyage dockside exhibition that accompanied the ship’s port visits, including Spouter, the 46-foot long inflatable sperm whale, will be set up and open to visitors. Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern will remain open for food and beverage service, although Museum exhibits will be closed after 5 p.m.
Mystic Seaport will offer a reduced admission of $5 on August 6. Museum members and children ages 5 and younger will be admitted for free.
In the event of a weather delay on August 6, the Morgan‘s return to Mystic Seaport will be rescheduled for August 7 or, if need be, August 8. Please visit the 38th Voyage homepage for the latest information on the status of the Morgan.
The Charles W. Morgan will reopen to the public at Mystic Seaport on August 9.
Historic Ship to Return to Connecticut Waters on July 30
Mystic, Conn. (July 29, 2014) — The Charles W. Morgan will depart from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy at Buzzards Bay, Mass. today to travel to New London, Conn. as the ship continues its 38th Voyage.
Due to the length of the journey, the ship will be towed and not sailed on this leg of the voyage. The ship is scheduled to depart the academy at 11 a.m. and is estimated to arrive at City Pier in New London at 10 a.m. on July 30, although weather and sea conditions could affect the arrival time.
Updates on the ship’s progress will be posted on the Mystic Seaport website.
This is the last stop on the Morgan’s voyage before the ship returns to Mystic Seaport on Wednesday, August 6. While in New London, the vessel will head out onto Long Island Sound for three final day sails on July 31 and August 1-2. The ship will not be open to the public during this time.
A homecoming celebration at Mystic Seaport is planned to begin at 5 p.m. on August 6. The public is invited to join local dignitaries and Mystic Seaport staff to welcome the ship back to the Museum. The estimated arrival time for the Morgan is 6:15 p.m., although the ship could arrive later. There will be a reduced admission of $5 for those ages 6 and older. Children 5 and younger and Mystic Seaport members will be admitted free. Reduced admission begins at 5 p.m.
A National Historic Landmark, the Morgan was built in 1841 and sailed on 37 voyages around the globe during an 80-year whaling career. This latest voyage, the ship’s 38th, was undertaken to raise awareness of America’s maritime heritage and to call attention to issues of ocean sustainability and conservation. The ship departed Mystic Seaport on May 17 and visited New London, Conn., Newport, R.I., Vineyard Haven, Mass., New Bedford, Mass., the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Boston, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy as part of the centennial celebration of the opening of the Cape Cod Canal.
Links:
mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/connect/press/
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stowaway
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stories
Social Media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mysticseaport
Twitter: @mysticseaport, #charleswmorgan, #38thvoyage
About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children 6-17. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted for free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/.
Mystic – Mystic Seaport and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center received a grant of $30,095 from Connecticut Humanities (CTH) to support a project, Connecticut Indian Whalers: Work, Community, and Life at Sea. The grant was given through the Connecticut at Work initiative, a program that supports a wide range of community-oriented programs that examine the past, present, and future of work in the lives of Connecticut residents, including The Smithsonian Institutions’ The Way We Worked exhibition as well as dozens of small exhibitions, internet-based applications, lectures, panel discussions, author talks, book and film discussions, and similar programming.
The project, spearheaded by Jason Mancini, Ph.D., senior researcher at the Pequot Museum, features a suite of digital, exhibit, and program offerings designed to raise school and public awareness about the men of color from Connecticut who labored on 19th-century whaling ships, in particular Native American men whose work experience was strongly intertwined with their social and kinship networks.
The project will include online maps, lesson plans, an audio lecture and interview that will be featured on the Mystic Seaport for Educators website. The maps will also be featured in a digital exhibit panel at the Pequot Museum, along with updated museum panels based on Mancini’s research. The maps follow the lives of three Connecticut Indians: Peter George (Mashantucket Pequot), Amos W. George (Mashantucket Pequot; nephew to Peter), and Edward Uncas (Mohegan). Collectively, these men sailed on 26 known whaling voyages from 1827 to 1867.
“We are grateful that this Connecticut Humanities grant will allow us to expand on one of the themes of the Charles W. Morgan’s 38th Voyage, how the American whale fishery was an early contributor to cultural globalization,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport. “Native Americans from Connecticut left the reservations and traveled around the globe on whaleships similar to the Morgan. This project will highlight their journeys, interactions with various cultures and legacy. More importantly, the collaboration between Mystic Seaport and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum will make this new content accessible to the public and in particular, educators and students.”
In August, Mancini is presenting his research on Indian whalers to local educators as part of the monthly Mystic Seaport Teacher Professional Development Series. The audio from the lecture, along with other digital products mentioned above, will be available this fall on the Mystic Seaport for Educators website and on the digital exhibit panel at the Pequot Museum.
“I am honored that Connecticut Humanities is supporting the Connecticut Indian Whalers Project and the collaboration between the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Mystic Seaport. Our organizations are forging a new kind of partnership that brings indigenous maritime histories to light through new discoveries and technologies,” said Mancini. “We hope this becomes a model for program development and an invitation to the public to learn more about this region’s Native American peoples and about hidden maritime history.”
