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Category: Press Releases

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Mystic Seaport Museum Becomes a KultureCity® Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue

KultureCity Sensory Bagas are available at each entrance for visitors to borrow.

Mystic, Conn. (October 20, 2026) – Mystic Seaport Museum is proud to announce its certification as a KultureCity® Certified Sensory Inclusive™ venue, deepening our commitment to ensuring that every member and guest who visits feels welcome, comfortable, and able to fully experience the Museum.

Through a partnership with KultureCity®, a leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with sensory needs, the Mystic Seaport Museum daily experience is now sensory inclusive. KultureCity’s flagship Sensory Inclusive™ program has been widely embraced by venues, stadiums, and cultural institutions across the nation and around the world, providing training and resources that enable staff to better accommodate individuals with sensory sensitivities. As a result, countless families and individuals can now enjoy live events, public spaces, and cultural experiences with greater comfort and ease.

As part of the certification process, our staff were trained by leading medical and neurodivergent professionals on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to respond to a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags—equipped with noise-canceling headphones provided by Puro Sound Labs, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads—will be available to any guest who may feel overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, or bustle of the Museum. Additionally, signs across Museum grounds mark headphone zones—areas where noise levels may be higher, and headphones could be helpful—and quiet areas, where visitors can step away from the busier spaces for a moment of calm.

Sensory sensitivities and challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions; and age is no factor. Guests may become overwhelmed by crowds, lights, sounds, smells, or other external stimuli while exploring our grounds, vessels, and exhibits. With this new certification, Mystic Seaport Museum is better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible whenever they visit.

Prior to attending, families can download the free KultureCity® App, where they can see what sensory features are available and where to access them. The app also includes a Social Story, providing a preview of what to expect while enjoying a day at the Museum.

“At Mystic Seaport Museum, our mission is to inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience — and that connection belongs to everyone. Becoming a KultureCity® Certified Sensory Inclusive™ venue deepens our commitment to stewardship and community, ensuring that every guest who strolls our seaport village, boards our vessels, and explores our exhibits feels welcome, comfortable, and truly part of the sea story that we share,” said Christopher Freeman, president and CEO at Mystic Seaport Museum.

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 650 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

About KultureCity® 

KultureCity®, established in 2014, is a dynamic non-profit organization at the forefront of the inclusivity movement which continues to make waves in creating a more accessible and accepting world for individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities (found in 1 in 4 of us). In a short 10 years, a few highlights of KultureCity’s impact include making over 1,800 venues sensory inclusive certified, handing out almost a million sensory bags to individuals in need, making over 150 live events sensory inclusive, and saving 48 lives through the KultureCity® First Responder Training. KultureCity’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond physical spaces. The organization actively collaborates with influential figures, businesses, and communities to promote awareness and understanding of invisible disabilities. KultureCity® partners with event industry leaders like NFL, NBA, MLB, and FIFA to make their flagship events sensory inclusive. With ongoing initiatives, partnerships, and a passionate community of supporters, KultureCity® is set to leave an enduring impact on the landscape of inclusivity. 

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Mystic Seaport Museum Welcomes a Ghostly Crew Back to Shore this October in What Lurks Beneath: Ghost Ship

Mystic, Conn. (September 15, 2026) – This October, Mystic Seaport Museum invites visitors aboard for a haunting homecoming two centuries in the making. What Lurks Beneath: Ghost Ship, a new immersive theatrical Halloween experience, unfolds across the Museum’s historic waterfront on October ​​9, ​​10, ​​11, ​​16, 17,​​ 18, ​​23,​​ 24, ​​25, ​​28, ​​29, ​​30, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., with timed entries. 

The story begins in October 1826, when the whaleship Grampus set sail on a three-year whaling expedition. After a brutal storm in the North Atlantic, rations ran out, and a violent mutiny erupted on board. The Grampus went adrift, and its ravenous crew was never heard from again—until now. Two hundred years later, the Grampus has appeared at the seaport docks, and its rowdy, mutinous ghost whalers are looking for mischief, mayhem, and revenge. 

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s 1838 novel, “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket,” the experience involves thrilling performances, live music, wild storytelling, unexpected sound effects, and staged swashbuckling. The audience will meet a colorful cast of characters, each telling terrifying tales from their misadventures on the high seas over the past two centuries! 

This year the Museum worked with New York-based Clockjack Productions to reimagine this annual Halloween favorite. What Lurks Beneath: Ghost Ship brings the tale to life across the Museum’s historic waterfront. Wander at your own pace, following the stories and characters that draw you in—around every corner, ghostly whalers, eerie tales, and unexpected encounters build the suspense—the experience will be spine-tingling 

For those craving an extra thrill, we dare brave adults and older kids to step inside The Haunted Factory and Captain Barnard’s House, where the mood grows darker, and the story takes a spookier turn. These optional indoor scenes let guests choose just how far into the mystery they dare venture—enter at your own risk.  

Spooky, swashbuckling, and full of surprises, What Lurks Beneath: Ghost Ship is recommended for ages 8 and up. 

Tickets: 

Members: Adults $37–42 | Youth $26–27 

Non-members: Adults $41–46 | Youth $29–30 

Advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged, as capacity is limited. For tickets and additional information, visit www.mysticseaport.org. ###

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Mystic Seaport Museum will host Maritime Trades and Foodways Day

Mystic, Conn. (August 31, 2026) – Mystic Seaport Museum will host Maritime Trades and Foodways Day on Saturday, September 26, 2026, a special day celebrating the trades, fisheries, and foodways that shaped maritime communities of the past. From the ring of the blacksmith’s hammer to the aroma of food cooking over an open hearth, visitors are invited to step aboard for a living celebration of the sea—be immersed in the sights, sounds, and scents of 19th-century life alongside Museum staff and guest historians. 

Throughout the day, each historic trade—printing, coopering, blacksmithing, wood carving, sailor skills, and open-hearth cooking—will bring a new story to life through unique, interactive demonstrations, programs, and talks. Museum experts will go behind the scenes to showcase maritime trades rarely seen by the public, including sailmaking, canvas stitching, millinery, costuming, and caulking. Visitors curious about the craft of steam bending and so much more can join us on September 26 to find out just how it’s done. 

The day will be made even more special with the arrival of several guest artisans, who will share their expertise and traditions with visitors of all ages—including John Cox, guest cooper, and Silvermoon LaRose of the Tomaquag Museum, who will be cooking over the open hearth in the Buckingham-Hall house. 

To cap off the celebration, guests are invited to gather with Museum staff for a special preview of Season 2 of the Museum’s YouTube series, SeaClass: The Digital Classroom, showcasing historic maritime trades. Attendees will be among the first to see episode one of this six-part fall season. 

Admission to Maritime Trades and Foodways Day is included with general admission and free for Museum Members. Free on-site parking is available. 

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 650 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

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Vintage Bazaar New England Brings Two Days of Curated Shopping to Mystic Seaport Museum

More than 100 vintage dealers, artisans, and makers gather on the waterfront August 15–16

Mystic, Conn. (July 28, 2026) – Mystic Seaport Museum will welcome Vintage Bazaar New England on Saturday and Sunday, August 15–16, 2026, transforming the Museum’s waterfront campus into one of New England’s largest curated outdoor shopping experiences—a vibrant blend of marketplace, festival, and community gathering. The event takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, with Museum Members enjoying exclusive early access beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15.  

Presented in partnership with Vintage Bazaar New England, the two-day market brings together more than 100 carefully selected vintage dealers, artists, makers, collectors, and small businesses from across the Northeast. Visitors can browse an extensive selection of vintage home and coastal-inspired décor, architectural salvage, antiques, handmade jewelry, artwork, textiles, candles, clothing, apothecary goods, specialty goods, and one-of-a-kind finds while enjoying live music and a relaxed festival atmosphere throughout the Museum grounds.  

“Vintage Bazaar New England has built a reputation for creating inspiring events that blend shopping, creativity, and community,” said Arlene Marcionette, Director of Museum Programs at Mystic Seaport Museum. “We’re excited to welcome this experience to our waterfront campus, where visitors can enjoy an outstanding marketplace while exploring the many unique experiences the Museum has to offer.” 

Admission to Vintage Bazaar New England is included with general admission to Mystic Seaport Museum. Museum Members receive free admission to the event, along with early access on Saturday morning.  

Free on-site parking is available but limited and may fill quickly. Complimentary off-site parking will be available both days at Mystic River Hotel & Suites, 9 Whitehall Avenue, Mystic, with continuous shuttle service to and from the Museum. The first shuttle departs the off-site lot at 10:00 a.m., and the final shuttle leaves the Museum at 5:45 p.m.  

Vintage Bazaar New England takes place at Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, Connecticut.

To purchase tickets or learn more, visit mysticseaport.org. 

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 650 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

About Vintage Bazaar New England 

Founded in 2011, Vintage Bazaar New England is a curated series of markets celebrating vintage goods, handmade artisans, local food, live music, and small businesses throughout New England. What began as a small gathering of 35 vendors has grown into one of the region’s premier events, welcoming thousands of shoppers each year and hundreds of vendors from all over the country. Named one of the Top 10 Markets in America by Country Living and Flea Market Style magazine, Vintage Bazaar New England is committed to creating community-focused events that connect people with independent makers, collectors, and local businesses. Vintage Bazaar New England is produced by Heirloom Marketing & Productions LLC. 

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Mystic Seaport Museum to Host 22nd International Sea Glass Festival

Mystic, Conn. (July 7, 2026) – The 22nd International Sea Glass Festival, the nation’s premier event celebrating the history, beauty, and preservation of genuine sea and beach glass, returns to Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut, on July 25–26, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Presented in partnership with the International Sea Glass Association (ISGA), this vibrant two-day festival brings together artists, collectors, experts, and enthusiasts from around the world for a weekend dedicated to the treasures of the shoreline. 

Set against the Museum’s classic New England backdrop, the festival features more than 50 juried artisans, craftspeople, and authors showcasing sea glass-inspired artwork, jewelry, and books. Visitors can browse unique creations, connect with fellow collectors, and learn from knowledgeable beachcombing experts through a series of engaging lectures held in the Tom Clagett Boat Shed. 

A festival favorite, the Collectors Showcase, returns on Saturday, highlighting extraordinary private collections of sea glass, beach pottery, sea marbles, antique bottles, and other shoreline treasures. On Sunday, attendees are invited to submit their own discoveries to the popular Sea Glass Contest, with awards presented in categories including Find of the Year, Frosted Bottles, Bottle Stopper, Pottery/Ceramics, Unique Find, Historical Find, Beads/Buttons, Marbles, and Vendor Entry. Winners will be announced Sunday afternoon. 

Family-friendly activities throughout the weekend add to the festive atmosphere, making the event enjoyable for visitors of all ages. A portion of festival proceeds supports the Ocean Recovery Community Alliance (ORCA), reinforcing the festival’s commitment to environmental stewardship and healthy coastlines.

“Mystic Seaport Museum is delighted to welcome the International Sea Glass Festival back to our campus for a fourth consecutive year,” said Arlene Marcionette, Director of Museum Programs. “This unique event celebrates the artistry, history, and environmental significance of sea glass while bringing together a passionate community of collectors, artists, and beachcombers. We are proud to partner with the International Sea Glass Association to offer visitors an unforgettable weekend experience on our beautiful waterfront.”

Admission to the Sea Glass Festival is included with Museum admission and is free for Museum Members. Tickets purchased for the festival are valid for both days of the event. Museum Members and ISGA members receive early access beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit mysticseaport.org.

The International Sea Glass Association, a nonprofit organization founded in 2005, supports sea and beach glass collectors worldwide through education, advocacy, and conservation. The organization promotes appreciation for genuine, naturally weathered sea and beach glass while encouraging preservation and restoration of waterways and coastlines around the globe.

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 650 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

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Mystic Seaport Museum Launches Summer of LEGO® Inspired Family Events

Mystic, Conn. (June 9, 2026) – Mystic Seaport Museum invites visitors of all ages to enjoy a summer filled with exploration, movies, and family fun through a lineup of special events inspired by Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks.  

On view now in the Stillman Building, Brickwrecks combines maritime history, archaeology, environmental storytelling, and hands-on creativity in an immersive experience designed for visitors of all ages. Interactive experiences invite guests to pilot an ROV simulator, test ship stability, explore the science of underwater archaeology, and engage in hands-on building activities that inspire problem-solving, collaboration, and discovery.

“Brickwrecks has sparked an incredible sense of curiosity and creativity among our visitors. Families are not only discovering fascinating stories of shipwrecks and maritime archaeology, but they’re also building, exploring, and learning together in ways that feel imaginative, hands-on, and genuinely fun,” shared Chris Freeman, President and CEO, Mystic Seaport Museum.

To complement the exhibition, Mystic Seaport Museum is presenting a lineup of engaging public programs and family-friendly events throughout the summer.

A LEGO® Brickumentary Screening | Sunday, June 21, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Celebrate Father’s Day weekend with a screening of A LEGO® Brickumentary in the Museum’s Meeting House. The acclaimed documentary explores the worldwide cultural impact and enduring appeal of LEGO® bricks. Guests are encouraged to extend the experience with a visit to Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks before or after the screening. Registration is not required, but seating is limited, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.

Bricks Ahoy! and Outdoor Screening of The LEGO Movie | Saturday, July 11, Activities all day, Movie at sundown
Families can enjoy a full day of hands-on activities during Bricks Ahoy!, featuring LEGO® building activities, hidden minifigure hunts, visits with Newfoundland dogs, and exploration of the Brickwrecks exhibition. The evening concludes with a live improv show and an outdoor screening of The LEGO Movie on the Village Green at sundown. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and find a spot on the Museum’s Village Green to enjoy the movie under the stars. 

Charles W. Morgan Birthday Weekend | Saturday, July 18

Celebrate the birthday of the world’s last wooden whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan! Enjoy LEGO® activities including a mosaic art activity from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with ConnLUG, an organization of teen and adult fans of LEGO® dedicated to furthering the appreciation and enjoyment of building with LEGO® brand products within our communities. While here play Brick Bingo, build a toy boat, make a birthday card for the Morgan, explore exhibitions, watch Whale Ho!, and cap off the celebration with a slice of birthday cake—fun for all ages!

Daily Brick Bingo

Throughout the exhibition run, guests can pick up a Brick Bingo card at the Museum entrance and search the Seaport Village for hidden LEGO® minifigures. The self-guided activity offers an added layer of discovery for children and families visiting the Museum.

The exhibition and events are included with general admission and free for Museum Members. Become a Member today to attend the exhibition and all events for free!

For tickets and a full schedule of events, visit the Museum’s website.

Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks was developed by the Australian National Maritime Museum in partnership with the Western Australian Maritime Museum and Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught—one of only 14 LEGO® Certified Professionals in the world.

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 650 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

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2nd Telly Award Presented to Mystic Seaport Museum for SeaClass

Mystic Seaport Museum SeaClass: The Maritime Classroom Wins Silver Telly Award 

Mystic, Conn. (June, 3, 2026) – Mystic Seaport Museum is proud to announce that SeaClass: The Maritime Classroom—Digital Learning, Season One, has received a Silver Telly Award in the Education and Learning category at the 47th Annual Telly Awards.

Season One of SeaClass immersed viewers in the fascinating world of 19th-century whaling. Through expert-led discussions with Museum curators and close examination of rare artifacts from the Museum’s world-renowned collections, the series explored how whaling shaped America’s maritime history and examined its lasting impact today.

The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens and are judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, and production companies. This year’s winners include Paramount TV, Warner Bros. Discovery, FOX Entertainment, MoMA, Mayo Clinic, Sony Music, TED, Al Jazeera, Variety, PETA, United Talent Agency, Olympic Channel, ABC News, Harvard Business School, and many more.

“This series reflects our commitment to making maritime history accessible, engaging, and relevant for audiences everywhere through innovative digital storytelling,” said Sophia Matsas, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Mystic Seaport Museum. “We are honored that SeaClass: The Maritime Classroom has been recognized by the Telly Awards alongside such outstanding organizations and creators.”  

Established in 1979, The Telly Awards are the premier honors recognizing video and television content across all screens. The competition receives more than 13,000 entries annually from all 50 states and five continents. Winners are selected by The Telly Awards Judging Council, an industry body of more than 250 leading experts representing advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks.

This year’s judges included Tamara Kruger, Head of Content and Sponsorships at Google; Janet Graham Borba, Executive Vice President of Production at HBO; Phil Cook, Chief Marketing Officer of the WNBA; and Andrea Wertheim, Senior Manager of Post Production at Netflix.

The full list of winners for the 47th Annual Telly Awards can be found on The Telly Awards website.

This marks the second Telly Award Mystic Seaport Museum has received for a digital YouTube series. The first being the Find Your Sea Story mini-documentary series which was released in summer of 2024.

Watch SeaClass: The Maritime Classroom, Season One on the Mystic Seaport Museum YouTube channel and subscribe to be notified when Season Two premieres later this year.

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 650 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

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The WoodenBoat Show Returns to Mystic Seaport Museum June 26–28, 2026

Mystic, Conn. (June 1, 2026) – Mystic Seaport Museum is proud to announce that the 34th annual WoodenBoat Show will take place at the Museum on June 26–28, 2026, hosted in partnership with WoodenBoat Publications. This three-day event celebrates the craftsmanship, heritage, and enduring spirit of wooden boatbuilding and maritime culture. 

The WoodenBoat Show will feature more than 100 traditional and classic wooden vessels, including handcrafted kayaks, elegant mahogany runabouts, classic daysailers, schooners, and other historic and contemporary wooden craft. The event draws boatbuilders, sailors, craftsmen, collectors, families, and maritime enthusiasts for a weekend of exhibits, demonstrations, presentations, and on-the-water experiences. 

Hosted on the waterfront campus of Mystic Seaport Museum—the nation’s leading maritime museum—the show offers attendees the opportunity to experience wooden boats within one of America’s most historic seafaring settings. 

“The WoodenBoat Show continues to be a celebration of craftsmanship, community, and maritime tradition,” said Christopher Freeman. “Whether you are a lifelong sailor, a boatbuilder, or simply someone who appreciates beautiful craftsmanship and coastal heritage, the show offers an unforgettable experience for every visitor.” 

The 2026 show will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with Museum exhibitions open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free parking will be available in Museum lots, with limited paid reserved parking available on Saturday and Sunday—must be purchased by noon, June 26. 

Tickets are on sale now. Mystic Seaport Museum Members receive free admission all three days.  

  • Adults (18+): $40 one-day pass | $60 three-day pass  
  • Seniors (65+): $37 one-day pass | $57 three-day pass  
  • Youth (ages 4–17): $25 one-day pass | $50 three-day pass  
  • Children 3 and under: Free  

For tickets, schedules, and parking information, please visit the Mystic Seaport Museum website.
 

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 650 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

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Pirates Descend Upon Mystic Seaport Museum during Pirate Days on April 16–17

Pirates Descend Upon Mystic Seaport Museum during Pirate Days on April 16–17

Mystic, Conn. (March 18, 2026) – Mystic Seaport Museum announces the return of Pirate Days on April 16 and 17, 2026. This exciting two-day event transforms the Museum grounds into a treasure trove of outdoor fun for the whole family! Additionally, our newest exhibition, Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks, will be on view, making the Museum a perfect destination during school break. 

Kids will put their navigation skills to work as they storm the seaport village for an all-new treasure hunt adventure. Young pirates and their families will follow clues to discover hidden loot, meet friendly pirates, and enjoy captivating musical performances. The Museum will also host pirate-themed games, crafts, cannon firing drills, and special planetarium shows. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to dress the part and join the lively pirate parade, bringing the community together for a spirited waterfront celebration.  

Admission to Pirate Days is free for Museum members and included with general admission for non-members. To enhance the interactive experience, a pirate kit is available for an additional $8 per participant; free for Members. This kit includes the treasure hunt materials, fun pirate accessories, and access to the final prize. 

Designed to be accessible and welcoming for every family member, Mystic Seaport Museum will feature a designated Take-a-Break Space in the Bartram Building. Located behind the Meeting House, this quiet area will offer pirate-themed sensory toys and coloring pages for those needing a moment to decompress. Families can fuel their waterfront exploration with food and beverages available at Propeller Coffee Bar and Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating. 

Activities include: 

  • Treasure hunt 
  • Games on McGraw Gallery Quad 
  • Pirate musical performances on the Performance Stage 
  • Pirate crafts in the Toy Boat Workshop 
  • Cannon firing drill on Middle Wharf 
  • Pirate story time in the Thomas Greenman House 
  • Pirate Olympics on the Village Green 
  • “Spring Stars and the PIRATES!” planetarium shows at Treworgy Planetarium (Admission: $5 Members, $8 Non-members, children 3 and younger are free)  
  • Pirate parade around the Village Green 

Pirate Days activities take place rain or shine from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on both days. The experience features a mix of indoor and outdoor activities across uneven ground, so families are encouraged to dress comfortably.  

To learn more and see a full list of activities and times visit the Museum website here.   

 

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 650 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

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Mystic Seaport Museum Announces North American Debut of Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks

Mystic, Conn. (February 10, 2026) – Mystic Seaport Museum announces the North American debut of Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks, a bold and immersive exhibition opening March 28, 2026. Blending world‑class LEGO® artistry with maritime archaeology, hands‑on interactives, and compelling human stories, Brickwrecks invites visitors of all ages and backgrounds to explore the drama, ingenuity, and mystery of shipwrecks from across the globe. 

Developed by the Australian National Maritime Museum in partnership with the Western Australian Museum and Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught—one of only fourteen LEGO® Certified Professionals worldwide—Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks transforms iconic shipwrecks into stunning LEGO® models that captivate first‑time museumgoers, lifelong learners, families, and adult LEGO® enthusiasts alike. 

Spanning more than three thousand years of maritime history, the exhibition explores eight remarkable shipwrecks whose stories reveal moments of exploration, trade, innovation, environmental impact, and human resilience. Each LEGO® model is paired with real artifacts, replica objects, multimedia, and interactive experiences that encourage curiosity, experimentation, and deeper understanding. 

Throughout the exhibition, visitors can: • test what caused the Swedish warship Vasa to capsize • pilot a remotely operated vehicle beneath Arctic ice • explore decision‑making and survival aboard Titanic • respond to modern environmental challenges by cleaning oil from wildlife • build original LEGO® creations inspired by the stories of the sea. 

Featured shipwrecks include: 

ULUBURUN — a Bronze Age trading vessel discovered off the coast of Turkey, offering a rare glimpse into ancient global exchange 

SHINAN — a fourteenth‑century Chinese cargo ship that reveals early maritime trade networks 

VASA — the Swedish warship that capsized on its maiden voyage in 1628 

BATAVIA — a Dutch East India Company vessel whose 1629 wreck sparked a dramatic survival story 

PANDORA — a British Royal Navy ship lost on the Great Barrier Reef in 1791while pursuing the mutineers of HMS Bounty 

TERROR and EREBUS — the British exploration ships trapped in Arctic ice during Sir John Franklin’s search for the Northwest Passage 

TITANIC — the iconic ocean liner whose 1912 sinking continues to resonate across generations 

RENA — a modern container ship whose grounding off New Zealand created a major environmental disaster 

Across these stories, Brickwrecks highlights the evolving relationship between people and the sea—past, present, and future—connecting ancient trade routes to contemporary questions of technology, exploration, and environmental stewardship. 

“Brickwrecks brings maritime history to life through creativity, curiosity, and play,” said Chris Freeman, Interim President and CEO of Mystic Seaport Museum. “Whether you arrive with children, friends, or on your own, the exhibition offers multiple ways to engage—from hands‑on problem solving to deeper reflection on how the sea has shaped human experience. We are excited to share this imaginative and accessible exhibition with our community and visitors from across the region.” 

Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks will be on view at Mystic Seaport Museum from March 28, 2026, through January 3, 2027, and is included with general admission and free for Museum Members. 

To mark the exhibition’s opening, Mystic Seaport Museum will host a special opening day celebration on Saturday, March 28. Visitors are invited to drop in between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to take part in a collaborative LEGO® mosaic build in the lobby of the Thompson Exhibition Building at the North Entrance, led by members of the Connecticut-based LEGO® fan group ConnLUG. Guests can also pick up a Brick Bingo sheet at the entrance and explore the Museum’s historic Seaport Village in search of hidden LEGO® minifigures, adding an extra layer of discovery to this brick-filled celebration.

For more information and to plan your day, visit www.mysticseaport.org. 

Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks | March 28, 2026–January 3, 2027 | Opening day celebration March 28, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Included with general admission | Free for Museum Members | Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut 

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, Connecticut, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 650 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

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