Mystic Seaport is considered one of the nation’s premier maritime museums.
Founded 87 years ago, it covers 19 acres of land on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and includes a re-created 19th century village, the Henry B. DuPont Preservation Shipyard, exhibit halls and a research center packed with more than 2 million artifacts.
It’s a never-ending task to keep the wooden boats in good condition.
“Hand tools are still the best, the most efficient tools to accomplish the work that needs to be done,” says Dana Hewson, vice president for watercraft preservation and programs at Mystic Seaport.
The shipyard is staffed by skilled craftspeople who use traditional tools and techniques, as well as modern power tools, to preserve vessels of all kinds.
The tools are currently at work on two restorations: the Sabino, a 57-foot wooden steam-powered ferry built in 1908 in East Boothbay, Maine, and the Mayflower II, a full-size reproduction of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to this side of the Atlantic almost 400 years ago.
Learn more about Mystic Seaport here.
