Interpreting Maritime History at Museums and Historic Sites

Edited by Joel Stone

Publication date:

28 March 2017

Length of book:

176 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

265x184mm
7x10"

ISBN-13: 9781442279070

Interpreting Maritime History at Museums and Historic Sites lays the groundwork for keeping this heritage alive in museums and historic sites. It provides the broadest spectrum of discussion and direction for those approaching new installations, projects and programming. Highlights of its wide-range include:

•Historic vessels and shipbuilding
•Freshwater maritime history, including a focus on regionalism
•Maritime archaeology, including shipwrecks
•Scientific history, including the environment
•Recreational history, including rowing, fishing, racing, and cruising
•Lighthouses and lifesaving stations

List of Illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgements
SECTION I: Introduction:
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Maritime History
Chapter 2 – The North American Maritime
Chapter 3 – Boats and Ships of North America
SECTION II: Case Studies
Chapter 4 – Layers of Interpretation: the Charles W. Morgan’s Changing Role at Mystic Seaport
Erik Ingmundson, interpreter, Mystic Seaport
Chapter 5 – Living Maritime History: The Historic Belle of Louisville
Kadie Engstrom, education coordinator, Belle of Louisville
Chapter 6 – Place, Industry, Recreation: Interpreting a Diverse Maritime Environment
Joel Stone, senior curator, Detroit Historical Society, Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Chapter 7 – Underwater Archaeological Preserves, Parks, and Trails: A Florida Perspective
Franklin H. Price, senior archaeologist, Florida Preserves
Chapter 8 – Maritime Archaeology as “Evidence-Based Storytelling”
Dan Harrison, archaeologist, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Chapter 9 –Campus Preservation and Shipwreck Research at Whitefish Point
Bruce Lynn, Executive Director, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Bay, Michigan
Chapter 10 – Curating and Exhibiting Recreational Boating
John Summers, Manager of Heritage Services and Curator for the Regional Municipality of Halton, Ontario.
Chapter 11 – Living Maritime History: Chanties, Ballads and Folktales
Joel Stone, with Lee Murdock, balladeer and historian, and Joanne Murdock, maritime arts promoter.
Chapter 12 – Interpreting Difficult or Dramatic History
Joel Stone
Chapter 13 – The “Other” Aspects of Maritime History
Joel Stone
About the Contributors
Bibliography
Index

Interpreting Maritime History at Museums and Historic Sites does a good job of covering the wide ranging topic of maritime history and its many intersections within the broader cloth of general United States history. The authors represent a range of history practitioners who do an excellent job of reinforcing the notion that American maritime history is at once a global story covering not only our ocean coasts and communities, but much of the interior of the country as well – from the Great Lakes to the reaches of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. This book uses the lens of our great maritime traditions to look at topics ranging from historic preservation, material, and popular culture to environmental, racial, and social issues that museums and historic sites must confront in order to stay relevant today.