What was founded in 1929, spans 19 acres and has one of the world’s largest collections of maritime artifacts? Mystic Seaport Museum! Learn how students can take part in authentic, hands-on, relevant learning with the museum’s educational programming and vibrant exhibits.
Mystic Seaport Museum is an experiential education facility where students participate in hands-on history and science in a vibrant setting. Founded in 1929, the 19-acre museum includes a re-created 19th-century seafaring village, historic vessels and small boats, exhibit galleries, a planetarium, and one of the world’s largest collections of maritime artifacts.
Not only can students climb aboard historic ships, but they can also interact with costumed role players who bring 1876 to life and give students a crash course on the stars in the sky, coastal life and trade, and more.
Whatever your speed, Mystic Seaport Museum has programming that fits your classroom’s needs. Choose from a self-guided tour, guided tours with hands-on activities, planetarium shows, overnight programs and more.
The museum has worked with educators and students for more than 60 years to provide an exceptional experience tailored to the needs of their curriculum. Its educational programs emphasize authentic, hands-on, relevant learning in which students are active and collaborative participants in their education.
CURRENT EXHIBITS
Sentinels of the Sea – Lighthouses: Housed inside the Mystic Seaport Lighthouse—a replica of Nantucket’s Brant Point Lighthouse—this is an exciting multimedia experience recounting the history and diversity of lighthouses from around the country. Surrounded by a panorama of five LCD screens, students can view two short films that celebrate these iconic structures with stunning footage and moving images.
Shipyard Gallery: This new exhibit takes students behind the scenes of the Henry B. duPont Shipyard and into the work Mystic Seaport Museum does in restoring and preserving historic vessels. Through touch, sound and sight, students are brought deeply—but safely—into the story.
When This You See, Remember Me: Opening January 19, 2019, this new exhibit explores advances in photographic technology and techniques in late 1800s studio photography, from the perspective of both the sitter and the photographer. Situated inside the R.J. Schaefer Building, the exhibit brings students face to face with portraits of those who walked the Mystic streets before them, including people of different backgrounds, occupations and life stages.
Learn more about the museum’s full lineup of current exhibits and plan your visit at Mystic Seaport Museum.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Staff Writer for Teach & Travel.
Photo courtesy of Mystic Seaport Museum.
