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About the
Stillman Building
The Stillman Building is the cornerstone of the Mystic Seaport gallery complex. Originally built in 1862 as an addition to the Greenmanville Manufacturing Company textile mill, the three-story waterfront structure became the Museum's primary exhibit building in 1939. It is named for one of the Mystic Seaport founders, Dr. Charles K. Stillman.
"Voyages: Stories of America and the Sea"
Your life is shaped by the sea in ways you never imagined.
 | Map Location: 46 |
Whether you live in Connecticut or Colorado, New York or New Mexico, your life is being shaped by the sea in ways you might never have imagined before. Join us on voyages across oceans, lakes, and rivers. Travel through time with us to share the experiences of immigrants, ocean traders, explorers, fishermen, artists, warriors, and even vacationers.
Mystic Seaport's signature exhibition, "Voyages: Stories of America and the Sea," fills all three floors of the Stillman Building (serviced by an elevator) with art, artifacts, audio and video programs illustrating how Americans have been and still are connected to the sea.
By the Numbers
While walking through the Museum's signature exhibition, "Voyages: Stories of America and the Sea," you can't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Two floors filled with hundreds of artifacts illuminate the many ways -- ways that perhaps were not thought of before this exhibit was developed -- that we are all intrinsically connected to the sea. Museum staff member Betsy Beach interprets the exhibit perfectly saying, " 'Voyages' is like a picture book unfolding before your very eyes. If you're not interested in one chapter, keep walking. You're bound to find a chapter of interest."
We suggest you cozy up to a good book of a different sort this winter. Step inside our signature exhibit and find the chapter that best illustrates your personal relationship with the sea.
Number of broad themes in "Voyages": 7
Number of original artifacts on display (including loaned objects): 535
Number of alligators David Crockett is riding in an advertisement for the Mystic-built clipper bearing his name (as seen on a sign inside "Voyages"): 2
Number of ship models displayed : 34
Number of Cuban immigrants depicted in the 25-foot refugee boat Analuisa: 19 (plus one dog)
Number of blue velvet navy suits replete with drop seat pants on display: 1
Number of scrimshaw items displayed (both decorative and practical): 110
Number of Amphi-Crafts ever built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company: 15
Number of Amphi-Crafts inside "Voyages": 1
Number of brothers that died aboard the US Navy cruiser USS Juneau in 1942 (as told inside "Voyages"): 5
Number of video programs in exhibit: 11
Number of video programs screened inside a shipping container: 1
Number of other Mystic Seaport buildings with an elevator: 0
Number of days the whaling bark Ohio was out to sea (as stated on a placard in "Voyages"): 1,002
Number of days it took Sarah "Sallie" Wordell Smith (1840-1896), wife of Ohio's Captain Frederick Howland Smith, to realize she was bored while at sea: 750
Number of hours it takes to completely explore "Voyages": Numerous
Number of ways the sea affects all of our lives: Endless
Learn more in Voyages: Stories of America and the Sea, now available in our bookstore.