Join The Whaling Museum's New Book Club!
You are invited to The Whaling Museum's "Beyond the Book" Club! More than a book club, join us as we dive into stories and history through connections with the museum's collection. Meetings are led by museum educators to facilitate talks and share about museum artifacts that enhance discussions about a topic in literature and/or film.
AboutThe Whaling Museum's new thematic book club is a great way to read with others and experience great stories and texts in new ways.
Book club registrants receive a short video at the start of the month that explores an item from the museum's collections relating to the text. A discussion question will be included to get readers excited for what's to come. Meet at the museum for each session and enjoy an educator-led talk about the book including more connections made through the museum's collection. Participants can read the selected book or anything related to the theme. Enjoy coffee and cookies while you chat! WhereThe Whaling Museum & Education Center
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Sessions
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Thu, Feb 23 | 6:30pm
*Cancelled due to low enrollment Whaling Captains of Color
Whaling Captains of Color: America’s First Meritocracy by Skip Finley is a fascinating look into the lesser-known lives of African-American whaling captains. Whaling was one of the first American industries to exhibit diversity, and the maritime trades as a whole employed more African Americans than in any other industry in the 19th century.
Join us for this special session that will tie in with the museum's new special exhibit, From Sea to Shining Sea: Whalers of the African Diaspora. Enjoy an intimate discussion and close look at parts of this special exhibit as an educator makes the connections with historical artifacts on display. Registration:
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Thu, Mar 23 | 6:30pmIn the Heart of the Sea
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick details the loss of the whaleship Essex in 1820, the event which inspired the quintessential book Moby Dick.
Get up close with the heart of this story as we explore the museum's historic whaleboat - the only fully equipped whaling vessel with its original gear on display in New York - which truly brings the book's theme to light. Our educator led talk will leave readers with a clear understanding of what it means to live on a whaleboat for weeks, even months at time. Registration:
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Thu, Apr 27 | 6:30pmUnder the Black Flag
Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates by David Cordingly explores the golden age of piracy and the truth behind many pirate legends.
Did you know the museum houses archival material of a true pirate? In this session, learn about the life of Huntingtonian Enoch Conklin (1763-ca.1815) a privateer during the War of 1812 as well as a ship builder, sailor and captain. Registration:
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Thu, May 25 | 6:30pmSpying on Whales
Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures by Nick Pyenson unearths the incredible history of whales, from their small four-legged land ancestors to the ocean-dwelling giants we know today.
In this session, explore the biology of these creatures first-hand through the museum's collection of bones and fossils. Discover the amazing adaptations that helps whales navigate their marine environment, while learning about modern threats to the future of these animals. Registration:
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Open to All
Thanks to our Library Partners
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