We came across a sailor named William Benson who was looking for a new home for his collection of WoodenBoat magazines, which dated back to the first issue in 1974. He also happens to be a fine artist. We checked with the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, VA to see if they needed copies and found that they had gaps in their collection, so we arranged to have the collection shipped down to Virginia. Summer came and went and we finally got the magazines sorted. Here's the first 200 issues.
And here's 60+ missing issues, starting around issue 219, delivered to the front desk at the Museum. The Museum staff was amazing, they coordinated transfer with the Library staff and the little tubs rolled off happily to their new home.
The magazines will be cataloged and added to nice binders that will protect them from damage. Part of the library collection is in deep storage, with plans underway to expand storage space. Much of the collection can be accessed with prior coordination with the Library staff. The spare issues will be archived in our library, so if you need info you can contact us or find all 50 years of digital copies at WoodenBoat.
Admission to this wonderful Museum is $1 USD, and a membership will help support future growth and expansion. Don't forget to check out the online catalog of archived items.
We are still looking for Issues 219-226, so if you have a lead, please drop me an email at lewis.kent at gmail, we'd be happy to pay shipping plus a few pesos to get them added to the collection. Or send them direct to the Museum.
From the Mariners' Museum Website: "When the sea claimed USS Monitor in 1862, the world lost an irreplaceable piece of cultural heritage. Fortunately, 140 years later, one-fifth of the ship was recovered from the depths of the Atlantic. These one-of-a-kind artifacts now reside within the Batten Conservation Complex at The Mariners’ Museum and Park, where they are undergoing conservation. In partnership with NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, we are proud to be the stewards of this revolutionary vessel.
USS Monitor represents the world’s largest marine archaeological metals conservation project. More than 210 tons of material were excavated from Monitor’s wreck site, all requiring care. Among the historically significant objects recovered are Monitor‘s revolving gun turret, two Dahlgren guns, and its steam propulsion engine. The Museum’s archaeological conservators tackle tons of challenges every day, working with materials ranging all over like iron, copper, wood, rope, fabric, and rubber."
We visited the Museum a few weeks back to check on the progress of preservation of Monitor artifacts. As more objects complete the process, they are placed on display. Several large items such as the anchor and propeller are out, and the ship's red lantern.
(Image: NOAA)
There are several interior parts of the ship recreated. I like the Officer's stateroom exhibits, and would someday like to copy the items to furnish our Library/Archives/spare bedroom.
If you've follow the blog long enough, you'll know that I like shop furniture, especially useful items like stools. I feel a replica of this coming on soon, although this one is probably conceptual.
Outside the space where the anchor and propeller are displayed is a full scale mockup of the ship's hull, built by the Newport News Shipyard.
There also a casting taken from the recovered turret, representative of how it looked as it was lifted from the bottom of the Atlantic. Human remains were recovered, so it is very eerie to look at.
There is much more to see at the Museum, which also houses a world class academic library and conservation complex. We hope you get a chance to visit, and go for a paddle or walk on the campus in Mariners' Park and Lake.
FMI: Mariners' Museum
Thursday, June 1, 2023
01 Jun 23:
The Mariners Museum in Newport News, VA just added a great page to their website, with information on 60 boats on display and a variety of nautical objects that can be found in their International Small Craft Center.
International Small Craft Center
A shared maritime heritage.
Come behold the diversity of people, cultures, and lifestyles through the 60 boats on display, illustrating exploration, economic survival, and recreation over the centuries. Experience this exhibit!
We are local to the Museum now, so if you can't come out to visit but need information on a boat, drop us a comment and we can go gather more information for you. We've also made a trip through the storage facility, and plan to get more information out ASAP on those boats as well.
