Fan of Full Fathom Five? Be sure to check it out at its new home!

Friday, June 29, 2007

Kayaks!


It's turned out to be a beautiful day and the grounds are packed. Rumor has it that both parking lots, and most of the side streets are full. The visitors certainly appear to be enjoying themselves. The kids building boats in the next booth absolutely are. I've taken a break and spent some time at the Cheseapeake Light Craft booth. Have I mentioned that I just bought a kayak? Its a Necky Eliza (but I digress). Anyway, the photo says it all.

On the Road


Good morning!

I'm blogging today from the the sixteenth annual WoodenBoat show at Mystic Seaport, and for some reason, at 8:41, I want a beer. I took a walk around while everyone was setting up and there are some amazing boats here. I've got to do some setting up myself, we're featuring the Collections Research Center, but I'll write more later...and post some photos.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Heads Up - Stolen Items

It appears that someone who knows the value of whaling harpoons has stolen some from a case at the New Jersey Cape May County Museum. Please read the full story at philly.com, and keep your eyes open!

Update - Looks like the theft was a few weeks old when reported which is sad because a more timely alert of the maritime community could have helped in the recovery process.Press of Atlantic City.

Another Day, Another Maritime Museum

To gather information for potential posting to this blog, I monitor several news feeds and then select stories that seem the most interesting or relevant. Within the past few months however I've been noticing a trend. No story that in itself would constitute a post but taken together is interesting. There are a lot of new maritime museums popping up.

Take for instance last night's story carried in the Dublin [Ireland] news:

Plans to convert the old Mariner’s Church in DĂșn Laoghaire into a state of the art maritime museum, library and heritage centre have been announced by the Maritime Institute - the voluntary organisation which recently purchased the building.


Then, of course, there are the bigger additions such as the 30 million dollar, Gulf Maritime Museum set to open in 2009:

The museum will be shaped like a ship headed out to Mobile Bay. Exhibits will be housed inside the stern of a full-sized container ship, displayed as if dockside.
Tony Zodrow, who was hired in 2005 as the museum's executive director after serving as director of Birmingham's McWane Center, expects the museum will become a favorite stop for visitors from the Gulf states. He cited a marketing study that projects first-year attendance at more than 160,000.


There is also a major initiative underway in Florida (which i have mentioned previously), and lots and lots of smaller museums. It's just making me wonder - What's going on? Is there an upswing in interest in things maritime? Or just in building maritime museums? How is attendance?

Lois McClure - Locking Along

On June 18th the Lois McClure, a handmade replica of an 1862 canal boat, and it's crew of 14 started off on a voyage of more than a 1000 miles in 100 days through the Erie Canal. The first stop will be Ithaca, in the finger lakes region of New York. From there, the boat will head west through the Erie Canal all the way to Buffalo and Lake Erie. It will then stop in Oswego before making it's way back to Lake Champlain in September.

The schedule for the Lois McClure's voyage is online along with some entries in a virtual ships log.

Ever since I first say the Erie Canal I've wanted to travel on it. Real and virtual journey's like these are great ways to engage visitors and those interested in maritime history. Most people will not be able to go and visit the Lois McClure, but being able to check in on her cruise, even get to know some of the crew, is pretty neat.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Position: Film/Video Intern


Mystic Seaport's Collection and Research Department has a temporary (30 wk.) position as Technical Assistant for video-projection. Responsibilities include power point presentations, maintaining AV equipment and technical programming in exhibits. Requirements include interest/experience in video, computers and audio gear, must be dependable with excellent communication skills, at least 18 with ability to lift and carry 75lbs. and walk campus quickly pulling a handcart. Some weekend/evening work possible.

For more information or to apply see Mystic Seaport's Employment Site

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

MSN Most Viewed News Item


The discovery of a bomb lance inside a bowhead whale is an AP story that is appearing in all the papers this morning.

The authenticity and age of the lance was verified by New Bedford's John Bockstoc. And while I can't agree with the conclusion that the lance was fired by a New Bedford whaler, the overall sleuthing is good.

The best article I found on the story is at SouthCoastToday.com
(Same place where I stole the photo)

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Maritime Studies Faculty Position


The Sea Education Association (www.sea.edu), located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts invites applications for a permanent faculty member in Maritime Studies. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team dedicated to innovative teaching and studying the ocean environment and its relationship to the earth and human affairs. We are seeking candidates with a Ph.D. in the Humanities or Social Sciences who possess the qualifications to teach advanced undergraduate courses in interdisciplinary maritime studies. We encourage applicants with strong training in history as well graduate level education and/or significant teaching or
professional experiences in one or more the following areas: Maritime History,
Atlantic World, Caribbean Studies, Pacific Studies, Environmental History/Studies,
Public Policy, and Policy History. The successful candidate will pursue
a professional agenda of innovative teaching and excellent scholarship, and possess the desire to join and contribute to a deeply committed educational community. Although a Ph.D. is ultimately required for permanent appointment, we welcome applications from advanced doctoral students with exceptional promise as teacher/scholars.

A review of applications will begin on August 1, 2007, and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, graduate transcripts, and three letters of reference to:

John Jensen, Chair, Maritime Studies Faculty Search Committee, Sea Education
Association,
P.O. Box 6
Woods Hole, MA 02543.

Electronic submissions are preferred, please send to jjensen@sea.edu.
SEA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Friday, June 08, 2007

Slacker

I have to apologize for not posting much in the last few weeks. Every time I've seen a good story I keep promising myself to follow up on it and make a good post...but obviously I haven't.

I have added the feed list to the right hand column of the blog so even if I don't get around to digesting what's going on or doing some indepth research, at least the headlines will be coming through.

This weekend looks pretty clear so hopefully there will be a post coming soon on the discussion on H-Maritime regarding "new" and "old" maritime history.

Kelly

Position Announcement: Battleship New Jersey

Director of Education Camden, N J
The Battleship New Jersey Museum & memorial, located in Camden, New Jersey, is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, self-motivated educator to help run a dynamic educational program. This program is geared to meet New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware State Curriculum Standards for 3rd through 12th grade levels in social studies, math, science, geography and history. The successful candidate will demonstrate ability to develop and implement imaginative lesson plans for on-site and off-site presentations, with emphasis on hands on programming, including the use of artifacts. Must be able to work well with retired teachers, administrators or other educational volunteers. Must have two or more years practical teaching or educational museum experience. May be an active or retired Teacher from any public/private school in the Tri-State Area.
Responsibilities:
  • · The management and implementation of all educational activities related to the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial.
  • · Under the direction of the Vice President of Curatorial Affairs and Education, provide educational support to interpretive exhibits.
  • · Manage existing educational programs for school children and teachers.
  • · Recommend changes to existing educational programs as needed.
  • · Manage existing and create new supplemental materials and activities related to educational programs.
  • · Develop, recommend and implement new programs for use at the elementary, secondary, collegiate and educator level.
  • · Continue to expand diversity of educational offerings to include more programs in history, social studies, mathematics and science.
  • · Provide collateral support to the Director of Group and Encampment Sales.
  • · Manage and grow distance learning program.
  • · Manage and grow teacher workshop and in-service programs.
  • · Lead the Battleship New Jersey’s EAC (Educational Advisory Council) including the recruitment of additional members.
  • · Act as the lead staff member for the Board of Trustee’s Education Committee
  • · Forge cooperative relationships with other area cultural and educational institutions.
  • · Manage the Battleship NJ’s oral history program in conjunction with Kean University.
  • · Represent the Battleship New Jersey Museum at relevant meetings and conferences.
  • · Provide support to the Development Department in regards to educational grant writing.
  • · Find new and unique uses for primary resources and the use of artifacts in educational programming.
  • · Publish the educational newsletter, “Jerseyman for Teachers.”
  • · Other duties as assigned.
  • Qualifications:
  • · Minimum BS degree in Secondary Education OR a BA in History with some Educational Training.
  • · Licensed within the last two years by State of NJ, PA or DE to teach middle and high school students in the classroom as a full, part time or substitute teacher.
  • · Possess two or more years practical teaching or museum educator experience.
  • · Posses a working knowledge of U.S. military and naval history, 1850-present.
  • · Excellent organizational, administrative and interpersonal skills.
  • · Computer Literate and able to use Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word, Power Point and the Internet.
  • · Able to produce Battleship-related lesson plans for History, Social Studies, Science, Math and Geography.
  • · Must be comfortable with video teleconferencing technology.
  • · Excellent writing, researching and editing skills.
  • · Able to produce Battleship related pre and post visit lesson plans, activities and programs for teachers and other educators.
  • · Ability to work independently on assigned goals with little supervision.
  • · Ability to make educational presentations outside of an office or classroom environment.
  • · Able to produce materials within a fixed budget, on time and as needed.
  • · Able to work as a team in developing Battleship related educational displays for classroom, convention and public relations activities.
  • · Ability to have flexible hours, including some weekends and/or evenings.
  • · Ability and/or experience in educational grant writing preferred.
Battleship New Jersey recruitment policies are designed to place the most highly-qualified persons available in a timely and efficient manner. Battleship New Jersey may pursue all avenues available, including promotion from within, employee referrals, outside advertising, employment agencies, internet recruiting, job fairs, college recruiting, search firms and others.
Equal Employment Opportunity. Battleship New Jersey strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, sex, religion, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation or preference, medical condition (including pregnancy) or protected disability where it is unrelated to the ability to perform a job, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, or any other category prohibited by federal, state or applicable local law, regulation or ordinance.
This position is Exempt. Overtime may be required.
To apply for this position please send a cover letter and resume via mail, fax, or email to:
Battleship New Jersey
Attn: Director of Education Search
62 Battleship Place
Camden, NJ 08103
Fax: 856-966-3131
Email: j.hall@battleshipnewjersey.org
No Phone Calls Please Posted June 5th