Goldens on the Road: Mystic Sea Port, CT

The Museum of America and the Sea in Mystic, Connecticut is the largest maritime museum in the United States. It is notable for its collection of sailing ships and boats, and for the re-creation of the crafts and fabric of an entire 19th-century seafaring village. It consists of more than 60 original historic buildings, most of them rare commercial structures moved to the 19-acre site and meticulously restored. (Wikipedia)

There are beautifully restored sailing craft from Whalers, Schooners, Sloops, and many other ships. The sails, rigging and masts were as photogenic as the ships themselves:

Charles W. Morgan is a whaling ship which was active in whaling for 80 years. She is the only surviving wooden whaler from 2,700 historical whalers that operated in the United States whaling fleet. On her deck are huge try pots used to render blubber into whale oil. She came to Mystic Seaport in 1941, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.(Wikipedia)

On the deck and inside the Whaler was also interesting - but I can't help but feel bad for the many whales that were slaughtered!

The try pots used to render blubber into whale oil above.

Ships wheel

The Captains quarters (and his wife).

One photo above, and the ones below show the bunks and quarters for Jr. Officers as well as mid-shipmen and seaman.

The windless - used to retrieve anchors, sails etc.

Next up - The Amistad - Connecticut's Flagship and Tall Ship Ambassador

Connecticut designated the freedom schooner Amistad as the state flagship and tall ship ambassador in 2003. This recreation was constructed at Connecticut's Mystic Seaport and set sail in 2000 as a floating classroom and symbol of courage and moral strength to the national and international communities. The original schooner (La Amistad) was seized in 1839 off Long Island with a group of kidnapped Africans on board that had revolted against impending slavery. They were imprisoned, charged with murder, and once again battling for their freedom. Abolitionists from Connecticut and surrounding states assisted the captives, bringing the first civil rights case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case was won and the Africans were returned to their homeland.

The other buildings in the Seaport were also historic. This is an active ship building port of old. Ship restored and/or repaired. Some buildings represent the needs of the small community that thrived here for many years - some families are still in this area.