Third Saturday of the Month | June–July | 12pm, 1pm, 3pm | Wavertree | Free
Join the Seaport Museum for captivating performances in a free mini-workshop that explores the rich musical tradition of sea chanteys—songs used by old-time sailors to facilitate their work at sea. These catchy rhythms served as a unifying force during various tasks like hauling on lines and engaging in labor that required synchronized effort and heave-hos.
Step aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree, where the knowledgeable chantey singer and educator, Chris Koldewey, will guide participants to different parts of the vessel. Through interactive demonstrations, he will showcase how these songs were sung while working with halyards, at the capstan, winch, and more.
Advanced registration is suggested for this free event but walk-ups will be accommodated as possible and drop-ins are welcome. Workshops will repeat at 12pm, 1pm, and 3pm. You can stay for the full workshop or just drop in as you explore Wavertree. Discover the enchanting songs of the sea and learn how they not only enhanced work efficiency but also brought joy to old-time sailors.
Please note that the audience will not be seated during the workshops and will actively move throughout the ship. Access to Wavertree for this program involves climbing a few stairs, walking up an angled gangway, and descending a few stairs onto the deck. The lower decks are accessible via stairs, while the upper deck requires navigating steep ladder-like stairs.
Please Note This is a Past Program, Event, or Activity
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About the Expert
Born into a family with a rich maritime history, Chris Koldewey’s lullabies as a child were songs of the sea. He was raised by the water on the north shore of Long Island, and was exposed to a wonderful enclave of traditional folk music presented there. The maritime traditions came to fruition when, 22 years ago, he began work at Mystic Seaport with their Chantey Department. Returning the traditional songs to a facsimile of their jobs, and the wealth of knowledge of the folks working at the museum, as well as the wonderful resources available, proved to be a huge step in his development as a performer. He has never been able to divorce the chanteys from an image of their specific jobs since. Further contributions, and fulfillment of lifelong ambitions, were realized when he was able to sail the two Barks, Picton Castle and Charles W. Morgan, and was honored to chantey at sea, on both.
Extend Your Visit
Access to Wavertree is included with your event ticket. To extend your visit and see more that the Museum has to offer, ask Museum staff about our Pay What You Wish General Admission tickets when you check in. Before or after your event, between 11am–5pm, get Pay What You Wish General Admission tickets to see more of the Museum.
General Admission includes access to all current exhibitions on view in the introduction gallery space at 12 Fulton Street and access to the 1885 tall ship Wavertree. Free timed tickets for a tour of the 1908 lightship Ambrose are available separately at no additional cost.
Tickets to sail New York Harbor on the 1885 schooner Pioneer and 1930 tugboat W.O. Decker are available separately and range from $15–$70.
What is a Chantey Sing?
Old-time sailors on long voyages spent months living together in close quarters with no outside entertainment, no new people to interact with, a monotonous diet, and each day pretty much just like the day before. How did they keep their spirits up? Singing together! Work songs and fun songs, story songs and nonsense songs, songs of nostalgia and songs of up-to-the-moment news—all were part of the repertoire onboard. At South Street Seaport Museum, the chantey tradition lives on. Check out these two upcoming events that celebrate this rich musical history
