You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up to stay connected with the Penobscot Marine Museum. While you are not currently a member, we’re glad you’re part of our community.

If you enjoy the stories, photographs, and programs we share, we invite you to consider becoming a member. Membership supports the preservation and sharing of Maine’s maritime history, and comes with benefits like free admission, discounts on programs and in the museum store, and more.

Your membership helps sustain the museum’s collections, campus, and educational work for years to come.

Member Monday: Revisiting January 31, 1884 with Jeana Ganskop

Monday, April 13th, Noon on Zoom

Free, Members Only

In a recent social media post, we shared a map with the locations of over 75 Searsport sea captains on January 31, 1884. The map freezes a moment in time. What came before and after? Who are the people represented by the dots on the map? Join Education Director Jeana Ganskop to answer these questions and find out more.

Member Monday presentations are exclusive content for PMM members. Not a member? Join here!

Pre-Season Sneak Peak

Thursday, May 7th, 10am-11:30am OR 12pm-1:30pm

Cost: $20/person, $10/members with discount code

Registration is required

Discover what’s new at Penobscot Marine Museum during our Pre-Season Sneak Peek! Explore new exhibit updates, learn about projects in the library and photo archives, watch newly added sardine videos, and examine historical documents. Guided by PMM staff and volunteers, this 1.5-hour walking tour is a unique chance to learn and ask questions. Sessions are limited to 20 people.

We have a full schedule of hands-on workshops, interactive programs, and special events—fun and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages. Visit our website for a complete list of events.

For many schools, the biggest barrier to a field trip is transportation. A bus can be the difference between a student visiting the museum or missing out.

At Penobscot Marine Museum, students explore a 3-acre campus, step inside historic buildings, and take part in hands-on activities that bring Maine’s maritime history to life.

A $200 gift can fund a bus scholarship, however a gift of any amount will help more students experience a visit.

If you prefer to donate by check, please make checks payable to Penobscot Marine Museum and mail to PO Box 498, Searsport, ME 04974.

By Cipperly Good, the Richard Saltonstall Jr. Curator of Maritime History

Content Note: This article covers the harsh and often brutal treatment of their crew by 19^th-century ship captains.

There have been murmurs over the years of Searsport sea captains and their cruel tactics to ensure shipboard discipline. A recent acquisition of Captain William Heagan Goodell’s shipboard tools and papers has brought it clearly into focus. Among the objects we received is a billy club with a plaque etched “Capt. W.H. Goodell.” Upon closer inspection, I saw a faint inscription: “Be sure youre right, then go ahead.” This put me on the alert as I delved deeper into the other contents of the collection during the cataloguing process.

Perusing the logbook of the ship GOVERNOR ROBIE, which includes William H. Goodell’s voyage from San Francisco to Liverpool between April 23 and August 31, 1885, my eye was caught by a series of entries. First mate William McKenzie had been keeping the log, so when the handwriting changed, I knew something was up.  

By Kevin Johnson, Photo Archivist

Our Adopt-a-Town program has been around for more than a decade, and continues to provide donations to fund the digitization and cataloging of thousands of negatives of the Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co. Collection. Since its initial launch, we have acquired even more negatives. Just this past summer I came home from a vacation to Vermont with a 1,000 “new” Eastern negatives. Tell your Green Mountain friends!

Dedicated supporters have made new adoptions in recent years, and the negatives of towns of Franklin County, Greenville, Livermore, St. George, and Peacham, VT have been now added to our online database. A big thank you to Mr. and Mrs. James Garvey, Johanna Branson and an anonymous friend who have contributed year after year. There are some great towns left for “adoption” in Maine and the other New England states. Keep in mind that one doesn't need to adopt an entire town! Find out more about the project and donate here.

By Jeana Ganskop, Education Director

“Captain says, ‘Run to the bow!’” I called out, and nineteen 3^rd-graders rushed to the red plastic cone that marked the front of the ship outline in the middle of the Searsport Elementary School gymnasium. We were playing a nautical version of “Simon Says” that allowed the students to practice new vocabulary while being active and engaged. 

Over two days in February, I had the pleasure of visiting each of the pre-K through 5^th grade physical education classes in Searsport. We talked about Searsport’s maritime history, life at sea, and what kids did for fun in the days before plastic and electricity (Mr. Ropes assisted with the younger students). But we spent most of each class period playing games! Some games reinforced vocabulary or teamwork, while others were real games children played in the 19^th century. It was a great opportunity to connect students with their local maritime history. 

Looking for Maine maritime history resources? Our Ship’s (B)log launched in March! It is intended to be a landing page with articles, activities, links to our database, videos, maps, and more. For example, you can find basic nautical vocab plus rules for “Captain Says” here. Or check out Edwin Mitchell’s shipboard diary here. 

Our museum campus opens for the season in just under two months, and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to our exhibits! But you don’t have to wait until then to check us out. We have some great programs coming up and you can always find us on our website, Facebook, and Instagram! 

Looking for something for you kids to do during school vacations? Check out our April Mini Vacation Camps and our summer Kids Camp!