June 27 | 1pm-2:30pm ET | Virtual | Free
Sailors may be pictured fighting off fierce storms, scurvy, or even pirates, but did you know they loved to read? In the centuries before radio and satellite communication, sailors could spend months or even years cut off from the rest of the world—and books offered connection and escape. All kinds of books could be found at sea: from navigational guides needed to safely run a vessel, to fantastical yarns authored by fellow sailors. The printed word was also used by seamen to advocate for better working conditions and political change.
Join the South Street Seaport Museum’s Michelle Kennedy, Collections and Curatorial Assistant, for a free webinar to explore literacy at sea and see examples of books, periodicals, and artifacts made for, and by, sailors.
Presented in partnership with Queens Public Library, registration for this program is NOT required. Simply click on the button below to access the Webex meeting link on Monday, June 27 at 1pm ET.
Please note: You are viewing an archived page for a program, event, or activity that has already taken place. in most cases these pages are no longer actively maintained and because of that may contain inaccurate or out-of-date information. These pages are left publicly viewable to preserve institutional memory and to allow the public to learn more about the types of programs, activities, and content created and made available by the South Street Seaport Museum throughout its history.
About the Program
This program was inspired by recent Collections Chronicles blog post, also titled “Sailors and Their Books.” Read the full blog entry here.
Check Out the Blog!
Want to learn more about New York’s history, our collections, and how things work behind the scenes at the Seaport Museum? Head over to our blog read through our archives, and stay tuned for new posts every other Thursday!