Mystic, CT - Mystic Seaport and local residents have partnered to throw a week-long celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. The festivities begin with a free fireworks display over the Mystic River on Friday, Oct. 28 at 9 p.m. and conclude with a day of special Morgan-related activities, demonstrations, and ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 5. Mystic Seaport will have free admission that day.
Over the course of the week, local residents and businesses will host free concerts and performances, historical talks, an antique vehicle show, a lantern lighting along the river, downtown, and special menus and pricing at participating restaurants during Mystic Restaurant Week. These events are sponsored in part by Mohegan Sun.
The anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the importance the Charles W. Morgan has had in the development of the Museum and the community since she was towed up the river on Nov. 8, 1941. The Morgan is the last wooden whaleship from the age of sail and is the oldest American commercial vessel still afloat. After an 80-year whaling career, the Morgan was at risk of being broken up when she was offered to the burgeoning Marine Historical Association (now Mystic Seaport). The acquisition of the ship raised the stature of the Museum significantly and helped put Mystic on the map of tourist destinations. The Museum estimates more than 20 million people have come to Mystic and walked her decks since 1941.
“The Charles W. Morgan is not the sole property of Mystic Seaport. She belongs to the American people,” said Stephen C. White, President of Mystic Seaport. “We see this community event as a way to celebrate not just the ship, but also the spirit of adventure, exploration, and American enterprise she represents for all of us.”
Coordinating the community effort is a committee of local merchants, professionals, and residents lead by Melinda Carlisle and Searle Field. Organized as Sail the Morgan 2014, the group is sponsoring a slate of activities all week in and around downtown Mystic to mark the occasion and to generate enthusiasm for the plan to take the ship back to sea in 2014.
“Celebrating the70th anniversary of the Morgan’s arrival presents us with an extraordinary opportunity to bring the community together in shared activities. Fireworks at Mystic Seaport, lantern lighting on the river, music in the park, the restaurants and stores participating in special promotions … Come and join the celebration!” said Melinda Carlisle, committee co-chair.
The 70th anniversary celebration kicks off on Oct. 28 with a fireworks display at Mystic Seaport sponsored by Mohegan Sun. The show will be launched from a barge moored on the Mystic River. Museum grounds will be open for the public to view the show free of charge. The show begins at 9:00 p.m. Doors open to the public at 8:00 p.m. Visitors will enter the grounds through the Museum’s north gate next to Latitude 41° Restaurant.
On Saturday, Nov. 5, Mystic Seaport will suspend its admission charge and be free to the public as part of the official celebration of the 70th anniversary. The Museum will have special Morgan-related demonstrations, activities, and talks throughout the day. There will be live music and chowder available for purchase from Coastal Gourmet. A formal ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. shipside with comments from Connecticut dignitaries and historian Nathaniel Philbrick, award-winning author of “In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex.”
The final event of the week will be the world premiere live performance of “Prince of Whalers,” by George White with Jordan Pecile. “A dramatic telling of whales and whaling and the last wooden whaleship in the world, the Charles W. Morgan,” the performance stars Brian Dennehy, Joe Grifasi, and Linda Hart. There is limited reserve seating. Tickets are $125, $250, and $500. Proceeds will go to support the Morgan’s 38th Voyage. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.mysticseaport.org/princeofwhalers or call 860.572.5322.
The Sail the Morgan 2014 committee events include the following:
Mystic Restaurant Week
A series of concerts in Mystic River Park.
Periodic strolling musicians and dance performances
A display of pre-1941 vehicles on Cottrell Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and lantern lighting along the river, downtown at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 29.
A talk by local historian Bill Peterson on the history of Mystic and the Morgan at the Mystic Arts Center on Nov. 2 (time TBD).
Plus numerous other events in development.
