Must see at Mystic?

[essaunders]

It's looking like I may get a chance (finally) to go to Mystic Seaport very soon. I took a quick tour through the archives to see if anyone had a 'must see' list for Mystic, but couldn't find any. To make the most of my visit I was hoping that I might find some sage advice on what to seek out to while there. What nooks or crannies should I step into to make the most of my visit?

Thanks

[rbgarr]

It's hard to tell from your previous posts what your specific interests are, and there are so many different things to see at Mystic.

Have you tried looking over their website? You could spend a whole day just looking at the scrimshaw collection if that's what interests you. Or figureheads. Or reading back issues of Rudder in the library. It depends.

I know that when I go there I like asking to look at certain plans they have in their ships plans collection. I usually buy one, but I call ahead to give them a prioritized list of what I want to see and when I'll be there so I don't waste their time.

Good luck-

[imported_Steven Bauer]

I always seem to end up in the small craft shed looking at Herreschoff's Alerion. Lots of other beauties in there too. Have fun.

Steven

[Carlsboats]

Can't go wrong checking out the small craft collections indoors, and looking into the Shipyard
to see what's under construction at the moment.
Last time I talked to someone working there, he
was rebuilding the sandbagger Annie, (the first boat in the museum's collection?).
If you contact me before you come, I may be able to get you in at a discount, using one of my guest passes. I live near the museum.

[Ken Hutchins]

It would probably be worth while to join, free admission for a year, discounts, etc, etc.
membership (http://www.mysticseaport.org/membership/index.htm)

[JimConlin]

I try not to miss the Small Craft Weekend (http://www.mysticseaport.org/source/show_course.cfm?mcourse=12&mkind=participate) . This year, it's June 5&6.

[Mike DeHart]

A must-see at Mystic? At the far end of the parking lot is a gravel driveway with a chain across it. On the other side of the chain is the scrap pile where the offcuts get heaped up. I was there when they were building Amistad and I culled some bits of Live Oak to use as braces and oarlock mounts. I recommend not getting caught. I don’t get up there very often, but I do like to park at the very end of the parking lot and stay well beyond closing time. :D

[NormMessinger]

The thing that impressed me most was the 100' plus lathe bed for turning masts. The least: girls roll playing as topmen. Surely gender should be considered in "living" history activities.

But my advise: Take a few hours or so to give it a once over lightly, then decide in what you should immerse yourself.

[Popeye]

There's a little coffee and donut joint up the road from the Whale Inn, grab a coffee and a bun and head down to the wharf. Take a nice morning break on the boardwalk and watch the mechanical bridge goin up and down as you wave boats in and out the harbour.

Ice cream and pizza across the road, submarine base down in Groton...

Something about a wooden boat thingy er other too ..

[rbgarr]

There's a marine consignment shop in the town... call for directions.

http://www.mysticboatstuff.com/

[Bruce Hooke]

As others have said, much depends on your particular interests. One way to think about it is levels -- there's the stuff that everyone sees as they wander through. Heck, you can see the Charles W. Morgan (from a long ways away) without even paying admission -- it's even visible from the highway! Then there are the places that, if you spend a day there you will certainly come across -- the regular indoor exhibits, replicas of old nautical related businesses, etc. Then there's the whole, vast behind the scenes organization, which encompasses vast quanities of research materials and knowledge. That area is best approached with specific goals in mind and a call ahead is probably wise to make sure the appropriate person will be there when you are.

I'm not sure how much help I'm being to you. It's been long enough since I was there that I don't remember specific regular displays that were easy to miss and important not to miss :D . I'd just set aside a day, grab a map and start poking around!

[essaunders]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm still not sure when the trip will be (but I may push for that small craft weekend in june)!

[buhmkin]

I took a picture of that spar lathe, it's huge. I guess that why it sticks with me, I dunno. Guy said they used it to turn the spars for the Amistad, I think.

Mystic Seaport in general is a must see.

[stephen m]

Dear Mike De Hart
I know exactly the spot your talking about.
Up here, what you described is called stealing, even if you don't get caught.

[JimConlin]

essaunders-
If you come to the small craft weekend in June, Bring a boat. The high point of the weekend is being able to see/row/sail/whatever others' boats. If my wonky hip permits, I'll bring Lola .
Jim

[Chris Gilly]

I took a boat building course there a couple of years ago. The instructors took the class over to a large warehouse across the street from Seaport where they store dozens and dozens of wooden boats that are not in condition to be displayed. It was very interesting to poke around them and get an idea how they were actually built years ago. I'm not sure if it is open to the general public but it would be worth asking.

[J. Labaree]

"The least: girls roll playing as topmen. Surely gender should be considered in "living" history activities."

Norm, as a past (male) member of that squad, I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. I think the key is that Mystic's purpose is to demonstrate traditional maritime skills, not "role play". The two are very different. Role players dress up in olde tyme clothes and talk funny (i.e., they adopt a persona and interpret history by pretending to be living in the past). Although Mystic does have a few role players (very effective, I think), the folks you are thinking of are called the Demonstration Squad. Their purpose is to demonstrate how stuff, like setting, reefing, and bracing square sails, was (and is, for that matter) done. Thus, it doesn’t matter what gender is hanging off the topgallant yard, splitting a cod, or steering a whaleboat. Indeed, I think it helps bring these traditional skills closer to home by seeing a diverse group of folks demonstrating them. The idea is to get visitors actively engaged in learning – what better way than to have people to whom they can relate doing the teaching?

[buhmkin]

This one's for NormM. I'm sorry if it's a repeat for any who've already seen it over at the other thread.
On the left you can make out the blue sign that says 'spar lathe'. In case any one walking by missed it, I figger.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid112/pa75cd729efd3bd3a0e26fe469acaf027/f8f9942a.jpg

Nothing's more exciting than a tool that's uncomplicated and really, really big.

[essaunders]

That's the spar lathe?!!! I missed it. We did have a nice time... despite the rain we got (Easter Weekend). It was a pity that most of the small boats outside were buttoned up under covers and on the hard. The 2 small boat sheds were very nice, however.

thanks to all for your suggestions.

[Rogue Sailor]

At the small boat shop, you can rent a vintage small sailboat for a couple of hours. Wonderfull way to spend a morning and see much of the waterborne fleet up close and personal. Especially after an incredible gourmet breakfast at "Kitchen Little" which is just up the road (upstream, within walking distance) from the Seaport.

[buhmkin]

Funny essaunders, "That's the spar lathe!?" is just what I said. Sorry I didn't post it sooner so you'd know to look down from the mezzanine. Sounds like a good trip, rain prob'ly adds nicely to the atmosphere at Mystic. Right on.
Eli