Seafaring History in Connecticut

By Linda Tancs

Sprawling across 19 acres of Mystic River shoreline, Connecticut’s Mystic Seaport is the largest maritime museum in the United States. Of particular note is its collection of historic sailing vessels, four of which have National Historic Landmark status: the Morgan (the world’s last surviving wooden whaleship in the world), Dunton (the last example of an early 20th-century New England fishing vessel), Sabino and Emma C. Berry. The site is also distinctive for its recreated 19th-century seafaring village, comprising actual trade shops and businesses from the 1800s that were transported to Mystic Seaport from locations around New England. Among other things, you’ll discover demonstrations of maritime trades, from shipsmiths and coopers to woodcarvers and riggers. About 10 miles east of New London, the venue is widely accessible via bus, boat, train, car or ferry.