Group Tours & Workshops

We offer adult groups gallery tours and walking tours, as well as cultural arts sessions where participants can craft their own scrimshaw-style art to take home. We look forward to welcoming your group!

Whaleboat & Gallery Tour

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An Introduction to Whaling History on Long Island
Flat Fee of $150 for up to 15 Participants; $15 additional. Includes admission to Museum.
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Did you know that whaling was one of Long Island's earliest and most important industries? In fact, the first commercial whaling in the New World took place on our shores!

​Explore our galleries with a Museum Educator, who will verbally recreate the fascinating whaling story behind our 19th century whaleboat with you and your group. The whaleboat is the only fully-equipped whaleboat with original gear in NY State, but is virtually extinct today. 

​Find out about 19th century whaling communities on Long Island and the impact of the whaling industry on the region, and see select artifacts from the museum's collection up close. 

Add on a workshop session (optional). 

Brief film about an introduction to whaling included. 1 hour.

Add-On: Cultural Art Workshops

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Complete your trip with a memorable session in our workshop.
Additional $50 for up to 15 participants; $4 additional participants.

A museum educator will guide participants to create a keepsake inspired by their visit:

• Scrimshaw Carving - Whalers and other mariners spent quiet hours carving scrimshaw on whale teeth and bone. Today, this nautical folk art is recognized as one of the few indigenous American art forms out side of Native American handiwork. The Whaling Museum is proud to house one of the finest collections of scrimshaw in the Northeast. After viewing scrimshaw in the museum's collection, participants meet in our workshop to carve their own whalebone-style scrimshaw keepsake boxes by sketching, etching, and inking a design. This craft is our well-loved classic through the years, regardless of age!
• Sailor's Valentine - A sailor's valentine is a work of art featuring an intricate shell mosaic. Sailors brought these pieces from the Caribbean (primarily Barbados) as souvenirs in the 19th century. Many valentines use shells to beautifully depict nautical symbols, hearts, flowers, or sentimental messages ("Forget Me Not", "Think of Me").  In our workshop, participants can arrange their own geometric shell craft using an assortment of small, colorful shells. 

Approx 25-30 minutes.

Historic Main Street Walking Tours

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We invite both locals and visitors from afar to travel back in time to the Whaling Era and stroll down Cold Spring Harbor’s Historic Main Street in our educator-led, themed walking tours.

$150 for 15 participants; $15 additional

From its early days as a Matinecock village to its different faces as a mill town, whaling town, and resort town, Cold Spring Harbor offers our community a unique view of a microcosmic 19th century American whaling town.

Stroll down Main Street with us, where we will highlight people, personalities, and places of our charming waterside village. ​

​Approx 45 min - 1hour. Bring an umbrella in case of light rain. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Tours are held in light rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, participants will enjoy a museum tour and a digital presentation of the walking tour. ​

Bookings 

Please call Katie Kelly during weekdays at 631-367-3418 x10, or write at [email protected]
A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required for your booking. ​Please note guest passes, coupons or discounts are not accepted for group visits. 

Thank you for visiting!

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