Courtesy Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport
Mystic, Connecticut
Nautical life takes center stage at Mystic Seaport, a historic site that interprets a 19th-century seaside Connecticut village. The organization specializes in guided tours and interactive programs for school groups, but the staff can tailor activities to be appropriate for adult groups as well.
Most of the interactive experiences are based around ships and life at sea, as well as the support work that happened on land. During the whaling program, visitors learn about the New England whaling industry and get a chance to try their hand at throwing harpoons. Life in a Seaport Town focuses on industry and activities from the 1800s and allows participants to try period tasks such as ropemaking.
Groups can also opt for an immersive experience that covers multiple angles and activities.
“We have a very special hands-on program where you rotate through three different hands-on experiences,” said education director Sarah Cahill. “For example you can make candles, learn scrimshaw, make ropes and lanyards, make a little bucket in our cooperage and participate in a 19th-century school lesson.”
Groups that choose to explore the historic area at leisure also have opportunities to participate in activities. A team called the Demonstration Squad is stationed at points around town to help visitors with period tasks such as setting type on a printing press, forging hot iron to make nails and hooks, and raising the sails on a historic vessel.
