CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Chris Galazzi, executive director of the Cape Cod Maritime Museum.
HYANNIS – With its location overlooking Hyannis Harbor, its replica catboat available for sails and its Cook Boat Shop, the Cape Cod Maritime Museum has always had a focus on classic boats of the region.
So it comes as no surprise that this summer’s exhibit “Catboats to Clipper Ships: Wooden Boat Building on Cape Cod” highlights the impact of the Cape on boat-building.
The exhibit includes interactive displays on lofting, planking, spar making, hand finishes and block and tackle systems.
There is also a display about past and present boat builders of Cape Cod and videos of boat-building projects across the Cape.
Another new exhibit for the museum is a display for the largest collection of scrimshaw on Cape Cod.
The collection has been donated by Melora North of Orleans in memory of Elizabeth and William Graham, who collected pieces for 50 years.
Also on display at the museum this summer is a Maritime Fine Art collection estimated to be worth $800,000. Many of the pieces are for sale with some of the proceeds benefiting the museum.
The museum has a major focus on STEM education, that is science, technology, engineering and math, which it accomplishes through programs for children, in particular boat building, navigation and even making a fishing pole out of bamboo.
Programs are designed for children ages 4 to 18. Some classes are ongoing but others can be specially scheduled for a group.
Among the classes this summer is Dead Reckoning, in which students work in a team to plot a vessel’s course using the oldest method of navigation. Educators at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum will present basic skills for marine navigation, including reading a compass, estimating vessel position and movement using mathematical equations and geometry, reading a chart’s latitude and longitude, and plotting a course. Students will evaluate and incorporate weather and oceanographic patterns into their course and pilot a course out of Hyannis Harbor aboard the Museum’s catboat Sarah.
A program called Building A Bevin Skiff is a youth boat building program designed to teach hands-on math skills. As a team, students will build one 12’ traditional wooden rowing skiff from a kit, then learn how to build one full kit from scratch.
Beginning Monday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the schooner Shendoah will be visiting Hyannis Harbor for the week. There will be classes for school groups as well as walk on tours. Tickets include the schooner as well as a visit to the museum.
The museum property is also available to rent and can accommodate groups of 300 people at its harbor side location. The museum’s catboat named Sarah is available for arrivals, departures, or quick rides. The boat can fit up to 6 people and can be chartered.
Scheduled sails on the Sarah take 1½ hours, and take place Thursday to Saturday, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The cost is $36 adults and $18 per child. The museum is open Mid-March to Mid-December: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Admission prices are adults $5, students and seniors $4, and children 7 and under free.
Listen below to Chris Galazzi, executive director of the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, discuss new exhibits and other activities at the museum this summer.
