February 11, 12 | 11am–5pm | In-Person | 12 Fulton Street | Free
Bring 19th century maritime craft tradition to your handmade Valentine with the Seaport Museum! While you create your own special trinket for the holiday, learn about the unique history of Sailors’ Valentines—tokens of love and friendship.
Historically, these small wooden boxes were given by seafarers to their wives, sweethearts, daughters, and loved ones when they returned from a long voyage. The small boxes open to reveal sentimental messages surrounded with intricate mosaics of shells and found objects arranged in exquisite geometric patterns and motifs such as hearts, anchors, and flowers.
Using beads, buttons, and shells, families and friends of all ages are invited to the Seaport Museum’s introductory galleries where we’ll continue the tradition together.
This event is free, but please let us know that you’re coming by registering. Be sure to review the latest COVID-19 protocols.
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More on Sailors’ Valentines
Sailors’ Valentines were popular mementos for sailors aboard navy and whaling ships from 1830–1880 and are relatively rare today. For more information on the history and influence on contemporary arts, read the Collections Chronicles Blog post, Rethinking Sailors’ Valentines.
Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music: A Monthly Sea Song Sing Along
From our living rooms and kitchens, and even from the deck of Wavertree, join us for our round-robin of shared sea songs, featuring members of The New York Packet and friends.