Maritime Scholars Participate in Morgan Charrette
Fourteen of the nation's leading maritime scholars, historians, and advisors visited Mystic Seaport January 12-13, 2012, to assist in development of exhibit and programming for the Charles W. Morgan and her groundbreaking 38th Voyage®. Set for the summer of 2014, the much-anticipated voyage of the last wooden whaleship in the world will include visits at historic ports of call along the northeastern seaboard.
The two-day charrette was made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Bridging Cultures grant and was awarded to the Museum for its "In the Wake of the Whalers" program. Feedback from NEH reviewers has been positive for the program and its four key humanities themes: 1) The Cultural Crossroads of Globalization (cultural crosspollination), 2) Profit from the Deep (economic endeavors), 3) The American Sailor: Making an Icon (American identity), and 4) Thar She Blows: From Whale Hunt to Whale Watch (changing perceptions of the natural world).
Visiting scholars worked with Museum staff in the development of the program's sub-themes, confirming that they are consistent with the best recent scholarship in the fields of maritime history, literature, art, and history of science. Mystic Seaport plans to match each subtheme to the best delivery system to maximize audience impact and understanding. Ultimately, the Museum will ensure that intellectual and research-grounded content is consistently strong across all formats and outcomes. Charrette results will move the Museum forward towards implementation of its final onsite, online, and onboard programming concepts.
Consulting scholars, historians, and advisors included:
- Jeff Bolster, Associate Professor of History, University of New Hampshire
- D. Graham Burnett, Professor, History Department and Program in History of Science, Princeton University
- Stuart Frank, Director Emeritus, Kendall Institute; and Senior Curator, New Bedford Whaling Museum
- Lisa Norling, Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Minnesota
- Joe Roman, Conservation Biologist, expertise in genetics, invasive species, and whale populations
- Helen Rozwadowski, Associate Professor, History; and Maritime Studies Coordinator, University of Connecticut
- Tim Runyan, Special Projects Assistant, Maritime Heritage Program, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
- Elizabeth Schultz, Professor Emerita, Department of English, University of Kansas
- Nancy Shoemaker, Professor, History, University of Connecticut
- Julie Winch, Professor, History, University of Massachusetts, Boston
- Revell Carr, Assistant Professor, School of Music, Theater and Dance, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Karen Jamison Wizevich, Ph.D. in Architecture/Museum Studies from Victoria University, New Zealand
- Jamie L. Jones, Professor, American Literature and Writing, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Jason Mancini, Senior Researcher, Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center
Mystic Seaport is grateful to all charrette participants who shared their time and expertise.
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