Page 10. MAINE COASTAL NEWS May 2010

Waterfront News

Mystic Seaport to Explore the Story of

American Tugboats in Newest Exhibit Exhibition Supported by a $149,000 Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services

MYSTIC ~ Tugs!, an interactive exhibition that will trace the past, present and future of the American tug, tow and barge industry, will open at Mystic Seaport Saturday, May 22.

Designed for visitors of all ages, Tugs! will detail how tugboats play a crucial role in our 21st-century economy that is vital to American commerce and economic success. With more than 5,000 registered tugboats and towboats operating in the U.S., the in- dustry moves more than 800 million tons of raw material and finished goods, including 60

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM NEWS

percent of our nation’s grain exports and most of New England’s home heating oil and gasoline.

Tugs! will present this powerful story through custom-created videos, stories, rare artifacts, images and large-scale graphics, hands-on activities, audio/visual elements and outdoor programming. Original art- works, scale models, and artifacts on loan from Thames Towing, Foss Maritime, the Coast Guard Art Program, Ocean Tug and Barge Engineering, Townsend Marine Asso- ciates and private collectors will also be dis- played.

Mystic Seaport will celebrate the open- ing of Tugs! with a special “Tug Blast” week- end, Saturday and Sunday, May 22 - 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visiting tugboats will be

LIGHTHOUSE NEWS

Gearing Up for the 2010 Season at Rockland Breakwater and Owls Head Lighthouses

Spring is in the air, and with the season’s arrival, the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse are busy preparing for another banner year at historic Rockland Breakwater and Owls Head lighthouses.

In preparation for the upcoming season, the Friends of Rockland Breakwater Light- house (FRBL) held their annual membership meeting on March 3, 2010, which provided the public a look back at the preservation milestones achieved in recent years, as well learning about what new and exciting things are on tap for this year.

During the meeting, Mark DeMichele of Maine Coast Construction presented a pro- gram on the unique challenges associated with restoring Rockland Breakwater Light’s boathouse in 2009, while videographer Craig Mathieson of Owls Head offered a ‘sneak peak’ of his forthcoming DVD documentary about the lighthouse and its history. Finally, FRBL executive committee mem- ber Brian Trask provided those in attendance with an update on the restoration of an his- toric peapod boat that has come into the possession of the nonprofit group. Mr. Trask explained that John MacDonald of Windham, Maine, donated a wooden peapod to FRBL last fall. The peapod, which traces its roots back to Mount Desert Light Station, is presently undergoing a full restoration thanks to the generosity of The Apprenticeshop in Rockland who is partnering with FRBL on the project. The peapod will eventually be on exhibit inside the boathouse at Rockland Breakwater Light- house.

In other news from the meeting, FRBL held its annual elections of the group, which is a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation.

The FRBL officers for 2010 are: Eric Davis, chairperson, Brian Trask, vice-chair, Sally Cran, treasurer and Laura Davis, secre- tary. The executive committee also includes: Dot Black, Sandy Clement and Tricia Dixon. The Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse also announced that the fourth annual Midcoast Maine Lighthouse Chal- lenge, which is sponsored by the group, will occur on June 26-27, 2010, with more informa- tion to be released on this fun-filled event later in the spring.

In addition to the participating light- houses and other lighthouse related sites (Pemaquid Point, Marshall Point, Owls Head, Rockland Breakwater, Grindle Point, Fort Point and Dice Head lights, as well as the Maine Lighthouse Museum and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter TACKLE), the 2010 Midcoast Maine Lighthouse Challenge will feature a brand new Friday evening sunset cruise to see five more lighthouses by water.

The cruise aboard the P/V Elizabeth Ann, which is also sponsored by FRBL, will occur on June 25th and depart from the Monhegan Boat Line in Port Clyde. Cruise patrons will be treated to water views of White Head, Two Bush, Tenants Harbor on Southern Island, Franklin Island and Monhegan lighthouses, as well Marshall Point.

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse will open to the public for tours on Memorial Day weekend, and remain open on weekends through Columbus Day as well as holidays and special event days. Owls Head Light, which also falls under the auspices of FRBL, will also be open to the public for touring during the same time period. However, due to renovations to the tower that will be occur- ring beginning this spring, the open house schedule will be determined at a late date. Last year, visitors to the two light stations totaled more than 19,000, and it is anticipated that number will be easily surpassed this coming season.

To learn more about the activities and events of the Rockland Breakwater and Owls Head Lighthouses or how you can help by volunteering, visit www.rocklandlighthouse.com or call FRBL at (207) 542-7574.

Lighthouse Foundation begins Phase II “Wellness Program” at Pemaquid Point Light

On March 16, 2010, the historic Pemaquid Point Lighthouse started another round in its overall “wellness program” with the beginning of Phase II restoration of the 1835 light tower.

Like people, lighthouses require regular “check-ups” and a solid routine to ensure they remain in tip-top shape; something that is especially important when dealing with 175 years of “wear & tear” on a structure. Pemaquid Point Light’s latest prescrip- tion for long-term preservation is an $83,000 restoration project designed to address the light tower’s interior health, which is being funded by the American Lighthouse Foun- dation through a FY09 Federal appropriation sponsored by U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins. The American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) has contracted with J.B. Leslie Com- pany, Inc. of South Berwick, Maine, to facili- tate the Phase II restoration work at the site. During the first week of restoration, the sound of hand tools in action could be heard echoing throughout the interior of the 38- foot sentinel as skilled masons worked to clean out deteriorated mortar joints between the tower’s brickwork in preparation for repointing the interior of the structure. Before the dust settled on their initial efforts, Jim Leslie, president of J.B. Leslie

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docked along the Museum’s waterfront and special events throughout the weekend will include radio-controlled tug demonstra- tions, behind-the-scenes tours, illustrated presentations, line-throwing competitions and tug-related activities and crafts for both children and adults.

“We are proud to bring the story of the American tugboat to life for visitors,” said Mystic Seaport President Steve White. “The Museum has wanted to tell this story for some time, and we believe this exhibit will educate, entertain and inspire.”

Key themes explored throughout the exhibit include the many types of tugboats and their various jobs; the vital role of the tow and barge industry in America’s economy; the role of tugs in popular culture, from children’s books to music; significant inno- vations in tug design, propulsion and engi- neering; the jobs aboard a tug and the people who perform them; the training and skill needed to handle these powerful workboats and their valuable tows; and the restoration of historic tugs by individuals and organiza- tions.

“We’re thrilled with all the interest and support we’ve received for Tugs!,” said Jonathan Shay, director of exhibits and inter- pretation at Mystic Seaport. “This exhibit builds upon research and planning done over the past few years, including a symposium we hosted for tugs enthusiasts in March 2007.” Additionally, the Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport will host a complementary exhibition, Celebrating the Tugboat, which will feature original fine art paintings and ship models. The exhibit and sale will open July 30 and run through September 1.

Funding for Tugs! has been made pos- sible with a $149,136 grant awarded to Mystic Seaport from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Individual do- nations and in-kind support will additionally help fund the exhibit. With leadership sup- port from the Dibner Family Fund, Profes- sional Mariner and an anonymous family foundation in hand, Mystic Seaport seeks to match the IMLS grant funds in total. Those interested in supporting the project can con- tact Chris Freeman at 860.912.3121 or at chris.freeman@mysticseaport.org. Tugs! will remain open in the Museum’s R.J. Schaefer Exhibit Hall through spring 2011. For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/tugs.

Mystic Seaport Presents Premiere of New Ric Burns Whaling Documentary Documentary partially filmed at Mystic Seaport; Premiere to be hosted at Con- necticut College

Mystic Seaport will present Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World, a new documentary by Ric Burns, at its local pre- miere at Palmer Auditorium at Connecticut College Sunday, May 2, from 4 - 6:30 p.m. Admission to the premiere is free. Burns, the award-winning documentary filmmaker and writer, will introduce the film and then participate in a question and answer panel after its screening.

The documentary, produced by Steeple- chase Films Inc., is scheduled for its televi- sion debut on WGBH/PBS’s flagship history series American Experience Monday, May 10, at 9 p.m.

Into the Deep details three centuries of American whaling and the unique relation- ship between whalemen and the creatures they hunted. At the height of the whaling industry in the 1800s, American whaleships circled the globe searching for the mammals that produced the precious oil that lit the world and in large part fueled the Industrial Revolution. The documentary also explores two key events in whaling history: the horrific

fate of the whaleship Essex that was rammed and sunk by a sperm whale and the eventual survival of eight of the vessel’s crewmen; and the course of events that led Herman Melville to write what can arguably be called the greatest American novel of all time, Moby-Dick.

“The epic story of whaling is intimately bound up with the story of America, in strange and telling ways: as a riveting case study in maritime culture at its most extreme – as a dark and shining parable of American capitalism on the rise – and as an allegory for the American, and the human experience – long before a restless sometime whaleman and would-be writer named Herman Melville ever went to sea,” said Burns.

The documentary was partially filmed at Mystic Seaport in September 2007 aboard the world’s last surviving wooden whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan, before the vessel was hauled out in the Museum’s Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard for her current on-going restoration.

“We’re thrilled to be involved with Ric Burns’ new documentary,” said Mystic Sea- port President Steve White. “His film accu- rately depicts a pivotal era in American mari- time history, an era that is necessary to re- member when understanding our nation’s ever-evolving relationship with the sea. Mystic Seaport is grateful to WGBH, PBS and Steeplechase Films for the exciting privilege of presenting this premiere.”

Filming of the documentary continued into September 2009 when several Mystic Seaport staff members and volunteers trav- eled to Erie, PA, along with two whaleboats, sailing rigs and whaling gear. Museum staff assisted Burns and his film crew with set dressing, helping to transform Erie’s flagship Niagara into the whaleship Essex, complete with davits, hoops and tryworks. Staff addi- tionally appeared on-screen during a day of filming on the vessel and in whaleboats. Mystic Seaport staff member and Melville historian Mary K. Bercaw Edwards, along with Museum staffer and Charles W. Morgan historian Matthew Stackpole, both served as consultants during the film’s production pro- cess.

While admission to the screening is free, donations for the Morgan restoration project will kindly be accepted.

For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/intothedeep.

Mystic Seaport Presents 31st Annual Modern Marine Masters Exhibition and Sale

The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport will host its annual spring exhibition and sale, Modern Marine Masters, April 25 through June 12.

The exhibition showcases paintings, sculpture, scrimshaw and ship models from more than 80 of the top marine artists working today. Artworks on display include illustra- tions of classic racing yachts, elegant mod- ern vessels, working boats and scenes of busy harbors and serene beaches. Featured artists include David Bareford, William P. Duffy, Russ Kramer and Victor Mays. “Modern Marine Masters is one of our most popular exhibitions,” said Jeanne Pot- ter, director of the Maritime Gallery. “Each distinguished artist selected for the exhibit is a leading master of contemporary marine art and the pieces truly capture the timeless beauty of the sea.”

Visitors are invited to view the exhibit Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The gallery will be open Sunday, April 25. Admission to the Maritime Gallery is free. For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/gallery or call 860.572.5388. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32