The iconic nautical museum Mystic Seaport announced it is the recipient of a $150,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to support components of the museum’s new exhibit, “Voyaging in the Wake of the Whalers.”
The new 4,000-square foot exhibit will be an interdisciplinary exploration of America’s historic and contemporary relationship with whales and whaling. Using artifacts and artwork, along with compelling audio-visual elements and immersive displays, the experience will provide insight into commercial whaling’s complex and deep impact on the nation’s economy, culture and global position. It will also explore whaling’s historic and environmental legacy.
“Voyaging in the Wake of the Whalers” follows the historic 38th Voyage of the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan this summer. The Morgan, a National Historic Landmark vessel, sailed from Mystic, Conn. to ports across Southern New England and into the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. This was the ship’s first voyage since 1921.
“This exhibit will be the final chapter in the 38th Voyage of the Charles W. Morgan,” said Mystic Seaport president Steve White in a statement. “Through our continuing series of onboard, onsite and online public programs, we continue to reinterpret the ship for a 21st-century audience in ways that surprise and intrigue the visitor.”
This grant will fund an introductory video and a large 3-D projection globe that will weave together global stories of whales, whaling, and whale research in an inspiring multimedia presentation. The globe will be a striking, luminous orb at the center of the exhibit that will draw visitors into a unique experience.
