Mystic Seaport Captured ? Links to Our Past Guide, Part 3

Mystic Seaport celebrates the seafaring past of New England. Known as The Museum of America and the Sea, the seaport is an entertaining journey through 19th century nautical life.

This is the third part in the series of popular attractions for New England vacations with a historical theme. Others in the series are Plymouth Plantation, Mayflower II, and Old Sturbridge Village.

Located 100 miles from Boston on Route 95 at exit 90 in Connecticut, the Mystic Seaport exhibits are open between 9-5pm April-October, and 10-4:00pm November ? March.

Here's what you'll see and how to get the best out of your trip.

There's three main exhibits at Mystic Seaport: the historic ships, the authentic seaport village and exhibits, and the preservation shipyard.

THE SHIPS?

Whenever I visit Mystic Seaport I head straight for the Tall Ships in the museum dock area. I'm just drawn to these magnificent vessels, and the most popular to tour is the Charles W. Morgan ? a wonderful example of a wooden whaling ship. It made 37 whaling trips from its launch in 1841 and before retiring in 1921.

The Joseph Conrad and L.A.Dunton are the other fine specimens of Tall Ships in the museum collection.

These ships alone are worth the trip to Mystic Seaport. But two others with a unique and rich history are the Sabino and Emma C. Berry. More later about the Sabino, but Emma C. first launched in 1866, and since then has undergone many changes as a fishing vessel and a coastal freighter. She was beautifully restored and donated to Mystic Seaport in 1969.

THE AUTHENTIC VILLAGE AND EXHIBITS?

A short walk from the ships is the village exhibits and galleries.

A stroll through the recreated Mystic Seaport village stirs the imagination. Most of the buildings in the village are authentic and moved from other locations in New England and the Northeast.

With 46 exhibits you'll discover a rich assortment of shops, homes, and stores. Amble around the nautical shops and discover rope making, rigging, cooperage, and the sail loft. And two must-see exhibits are the Mystic River Scale Model, and the Shipsmith shop.

Further down from the village check out the galleries and make sure you spend time inside both the Voyages and Figurehead exhibits.

The three-floor exhibit of Voyages celebrates the legacy of America and the sea, and how it continues to impact our lives in many subtle ways. And across the street is the Figurehead exhibit, and a wonderful collection of carvings.

Unfortunately, these carvings are a bittersweet display. The desire for these carvings on ships has dwindled and it's now become an endangered art form.

Now wander back to the shipyard area and get ready to be amazed?

THE PRESERVATION SHIPYARD?

I don't know about you but I've always had a healthy fascination for the old mastercarft skills, and love to watch people work with them. Many of these skills are being lost as the economics of our time reduce the need for them. Wooden ships are a thing of the past, and so the wonderful carpentry and shipwright skills have dwindled throughout the world.

But here in this corner of the world they are uniquely preserved.

In the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard many of these skills are still practiced to keep the museum ships in tip top shape.

In the yard you'll see carpenter's shops, a rigging loft, a paint shop, metalworking shop, lumber shed, and an old-fashioned sawmill. Close by is the documentation shop containing vital records used by the museum's shipwrights, carpenters and riggers, to maintain accuracy as they work on preserving the ships.

Just across from the duPont building is the shipbuilding exhibit. Here you can see the keel of the whaleship Thames, and take in a revealing display of the many stages of building a ship.

And when you're finally ready for a rest take a 30 or 90 minute cruise on the Sabino steamboat as she travels up and down the Mystic River.

Now that you've armed with this information it's time to set the main sail, raise anchor, and head out to Mystic Seaport to experience this all for yourself.

For more information and ticket prices for Mystic Seaport visit their web site at www.mysticseaport.org.

Cliff Calderwood is the owner and contributing writer of the New England vacations guide . You can read more about Mystic Seaport and get a free travel report at his New England vacation site.

---

Alaska Sport Fishing Guide

WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the... Read More

Planning Your Own Gorilla Safari Will Save You Money - Heres How

Going on a gorilla safari must rank as one of... Read More

Sleeping Pads For Ultralight Backpackers

Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping... Read More

Hiking from Your Own Home

Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in... Read More

Dont Forget that Camping Gear Checklist Before You Leave on that Family Camping Adventure

A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help... Read More

Alaska - Brief Travel Guide

WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is... Read More

The Best Backpacking Food

Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner.... Read More

Bird Safaris: Timbavatis Most Desired Plumage

Normally when you think Safari you think Big 5. The... Read More

The Classy Way to Do WA

Western Australia ? South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road... Read More

San Francisco Beaches

When you are planning a vacation to Maui or Rio... Read More

Amazing Trek Across TIbet!

Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More

Tamil Nadu ? A potpourri of culture and festivity

Tamil Nadu is a delightful anachronism. With a rich culture... Read More

Bicycling Down The River

My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack... Read More

Hiking Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is the most popular park in... Read More

Side-Tripping in Montana

Nightlife in Big Sky, Montana is more exciting than you... Read More

Hiking in the Forest Knowing When to Slow Down

One morning in mid summer, I headed out for some... Read More

Rigid Inflatable Boats

A rigid inflatable boat is defined as a hard-hulled boat... Read More

Its an Alien World in Every River

When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More

Unforgettable Cape Cod Vacations: The National Seashore Gift

Take a captivating trip through the Cape Cod National Seashore... Read More

Mount Kenya ? Up High at God?s Mountain

Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain, after Kilimanjaro. It... Read More

Bird Watching in the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania

The Usamabara Mountains are very special mountains, often that tired... Read More

The Price of Gas Really Doesnt Matter!

"The good news is that there is no reason to... Read More

Be Sure to Buy the Best Discount Camping Gear Before Going on that Family Adventure

When you're on the Internet looking for discount camping gear,... Read More

PaintBall Gun Buying Tips

There are so many selections available when it comes to... Read More

New Technologies in Camping and Outdoor Clothing Enhance the Outdoor Experience

Camping is an excellent way to explore and experience the... Read More