It is easy to be overwhelmed when you walk into Mystic Seaport because there is so much to see and do in this 19th century seafaring village. As you walk through this town you are transported back in time. The village is made up of dozens of buildings that are staffed with people playing the roles of wood carvers, shipsmiths, coopers, printers, and many more. They are so knowledgeable and they encourage you to ask questions and participation. Some of our favorite areas included:
The Charles W. Morgan was built in 1841 and is the oldest commercial ship still afloat. As you walk onto the deck, take hold of the steering wheel, and feel the boat gently rock you can imagine what it was like to be out at sea. If you really want to experience the ship, go bellow deck to see the sleeping conditions of the sailors.
Another favorite was the Mystic Print Shop. Here the girls learned where the expression, “Make a good first impression” came from. They learned to load a printing press and all the steps needed to create a flyer. They were able to take home a word search printed off of the old press that they watched being made.
The houses were so interesting to see because it gave real insight to everyday life in the seaport. You were able to see the roles women played in society and the struggles of living in a time without refrigeration, electricity, and (gasp) internet!
The cooper building was interesting because none of us knew what a cooper did. Before we went into the building we all guessed what his job was. None of us were correct and we were surprised to find out he made barrels and wooden storage containers. It was interesting to learn the science needed to build a barrel.
The drug store made an impression because it contained a jar labeled leeches. Of course my girls could not stop asking questions about why in the world people would choose to put those gross creatures on their bodies and let them drink their blood. It gave them a new appreciation for modern-day medicine.
Mystic Seaport was both educational as well as fun-filled and we had an amazing afternoon there. It was a great experience for adults and kids and we will definitely return the next time we are in Mystic!
“Ship building is indigenous to the Mystic Valley. Wood takes to water very naturally here…and sometimes men talk together of the ships that they built and owned and sailed, and speak with kindness in their voices, as men speak of their own children.”
-William Allen Wilbur, Mystic 1899
Address: 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT
Phone # 860-572-0711
Website: http://www.mysticseaport.org/
Admission: Adult $25, Youth (ages 6-17) $16, Children (5 and younger) free, Senior $23
2016 Hours of Operation:
Jan 1-March 25: Open Thurs-Sun 10:00-4:00
March 26-Oct 30: Open daily 10:00-4:00
Oct 31-Nov 27: Open daily 10:00-4:00
Nov 28-Dec 23: Open Thurs-Sun 10:00-4:00
(Check the website for any dates not listed above.)
**A warm thank you to Mystic Seaport for having our family as your guests. As always, all experiences and opinions are 100% my own.