Marblehead Museum & Historical Society
Why Whaling?
The Heart of the Sea by Nat Philbrick focuses on the true story of the whaling ship Essex, and its crew. This true account formed the basis for Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Stories, true or fictional, of the heyday of whaling, are full of drama. Ships and crews chased and caught the immense creatures all over the world. But why? Whatever possessed anyone to hunt whales and what did they do with the whales once they were caught?
The exhibit at the Marblehead Museum explains why whales were such a valuable commodity and focuses on the products of the whaling industry. Whale oil, particularly in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, was necessary to fuel oil lamps. By-products such as whale bone were used commercially for corsets and recreationally by sailors. Sailor’s scrimshaw was a craft and hobby done by crewmen on whaling ships to pass the time. Whaling voyages were particularly long, and they had long spells of inactivity, waiting for the whales to appear. The exhibit will feature samples of oil lamps, scrimshaw and other whale related materials from the MMHS collection. The exhibit is presented as an addition to the Marblehead Reads program co-sponsored by the Abbot Library. It will be on display from Thursday March 1 through Friday, March 30, 2007, at the Marblehead Museum’s galleries at 170 Washington Street, which is open Tuesday through Friday 10–4. Admission is free.
Monday at the Museum:
Children’s Scrimshaw Workshop
Children ages 5–10 are invited to learn about whales, whaling and the products and by products of the trade. The after school program will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 on Monday, March 5, at the Marblehead Museum & Historical Society’s galleries at 170 Washington Street. Children will hear whaling stories, have a snack and make small scrimshaw pieces to bring home. There is no admission charge, but space is limited and reservations are required. Call 781-631-1768 to reserve a place.
Thursday Evening Salon at the Museum
In conjunction with the March Marblehead Reads program co-sponsored by the Abbot Library, the Marblehead Museum & Historical Society will offer a literary salon evening on Thursday, March 8, at 7:00 p.m. The evening is open to all and will feature wine, cheese and discussion of the book In The Heart of the Sea by Nat Philbrick. The only requirement to attend the evening is have read the book, and have a desire to discuss it in a congenial setting. If you plan to attend, please call the Marblehead Museum & Historical Society at 781-631-1768.
