CMDR. David G. Farragut and his flagship, USS HARTFORD – the subject of historian A. Wilson Greene’s talk on May 22.

Historian A. Wilson Greene will present a lecture titled The Day the South Lost the War: The Fall of New Orleans on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m., in the Cook Memorial Theater, New Bedford Whaling Museum.

The free public lecture is presented in partnership with the New Bedford Civil War Roundtable, New Bedford Historical Society, Friends of the New Bedford Free Public Library, and Fort Taber ~ Fort Rodman Military Museum.

The illustrated talk will focus on the combined Union naval and army operation in the spring of 1862 that resulted in the capture of the Confederacy’s largest city and most important port – New Orleans, Louisiana.

A complacent Confederate military placed unwarranted confidence in two large masonry forts more than sixty miles downstream from New Orleans to protect the key city on the Gulf Coast. A flotilla commanded by David Farragut and innovative mortar boats led by David D. Porter along with a newly-recruited army—primarily from New England’s maritime communities—arrived below the forts in April 1862. The result would be a dramatic conflict in which the Union navy eventually bulled its way past the Confederate bastions and steamed up to the New Orleans levees, giving the North a pivotal victory in the war.

Will Greene received his M.A. in History at Louisiana State University and spent sixteen years as historian and manager with the National Park Service, with assignments that included the Fredericksburg National Military Park (VA), Independence National Historical Park (PA), Chalmette National Historical Park (LA), Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL), Shenandoah National Park (VA), and the Petersburg National Battlefield (VA). He served as president and executive director of the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites (now the Civil War Trust). Since 1995 he has been the Executive Director of the Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, Petersburg, VA.

A widely published author on the Civil War, Will has led more than 40 Smithsonian Institute tours and seminars covering all the major Civil War campaigns. He has spoken at over 100 Civil War Roundtables and has presented lectures for the Civil War Society, Blue and Gray Education Society, Campaigning with Lee Seminar, and many national symposiums and seminars.

Mark Leary, Korey Martin and Dana Costa install custom doors and panels made by GNB Voc-Tech carpentry students for “Scrimshaw: Shipboard Art of the Whalers” opening May 13, 2pm.

Building the many and varied display cases needed for the world’s largest scrimshaw exhibit would have been a daunting task were it not for the students of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. Voc-Tech’s carpentry classes fabricated more than 29 custom doors and viewing panels for the new gallery, set to open to the public on Mothers Day, Sunday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m.

James Russell, museum president, lauded the students’ work, noting “How great is it that much of what we admire in the museum’s collection was made by master craftsmen! Today, skilled students from Voc-Tech are back at the museum, helping to build exhibits that house these masterpieces – to be enjoyed by New Bedford residents and visitors for years to come.”

The museum’s staff, designers and carpenters worked with GNB Voc-Tech’s coordinator of construction projects, Robert Gomes, and carpentry teacher, Donald Derosiers, on the exacting specifications for the elaborate cabinetry required to exhibit hundreds of rare examples of scrimshaw – the 19th century shipboard art of whalers. Students utilized the school’s state-of-the-art CNC (computer numerical control) milling machinery to create the seamless doorframes and panels.

Master carpenter, Dana Costa, rebuilt and refitted existing museum cases and installed the Voc-Tech components with the assistance of Mark Leary and Korey Martin.

The exhibit opening caps the museum’s 23rd annual Scrimshaw Weekend, May 11-13, which attracts scrimshaw experts, collectors and fans from around the world. Titled Scrimshaw: Shipboard Art of the Whalers, the exhibit is curated Dr. Stuart M. Frank, Senior Curator, with the assistance of museum volunteers John Antones, Richard Donnelly, Michael Gerstein, Vasant Gideon, Judith Lund, Barbara Moss, Sanford Moss, Catherine Reynolds and James Vaccarino.

The largest permanent exhibit of its kind, Scrimshaw: Shipboard Art of the Whalers coincides with the launch of a major new book on scrimshaw, titled Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved: Scrimshaw in the New Bedford Whaling Museum by Dr. Frank – a 400-page reference with more than 700 photographs by Richard Donnelly.

Admission to the Sunday opening of the scrimshaw exhibit and book launch: regular admission rates apply. In honor of Mother’s Day, mothers are admitted free when accompanied by at least one member of her family.

Chris Gustin

Christopher S. Gustin will present an illustrated lecture titled Finding Form, on Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the museum’s Cook Memorial Theater. A reception at 6:30 p.m. in the Jacobs Family Gallery precedes the lecture.

Chris Gustin is a studio artist and former professor at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. His work is published extensively and is represented in numerous public and private collections. With over 40 solo exhibitions, he has exhibited, lectured and taught workshops in the United States, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Chris is cofounder of the Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Maine, where he serves as vice president on its board of trustees

Born in Chicago, Chris grew up in Los Angeles. After running one of his family’s small commercial ceramics factories, he attended Kansas City Art Institute, receiving a BFA in ceramics. He earned his MFA at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and established his first clay studio in Guilford, Connecticut, with his sister-in-law Jane Gustin, where they produced functional and sculptural pottery.

Chris has taught at Parson’s School of Design, Boston University, and the Swain School of Design in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he became Associate Professor of Ceramics and head of the ceramics program. Swain School subsequently merged in 1988 with Southeastern Massachusetts University, now University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Chris retired from teaching 1999 to focus on his work at his South Dartmouth atelier. He also continues to direct Gustin Ceramics LLC, a custom tile manufacturing company, which he established in 1996 and whose products are represented nationally by architects, designers and tile showrooms.

Admission: $15 members; $20 non-members. For tickets, call (508) 997-0046 Ext. 100.

Purchase tickets via link on Old Dartmouth Lyceum webpage.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum 2012 Speakers’ Series is presented by BayCoast Bank, and sponsored in part by C.E. Beckman, and Hampton Inn Fairhaven/New Bedford.

Scrimshaw removed from storage prior to placement in new Scrimshaw Gallery

The weekend kicks off on Friday, May 11, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the third annual Nautical Antiques Show featuring for sale high quality marine antiques including scrimshaw, nautical instruments and tools, whaling logbooks, ship models, photos, paintings, prints, New Bedford memorabilia, and more in the Jacobs Family Gallery. Entry fee to the Nautical Antiques Show only is $5, or free with museum admission or membership.

On Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., a cocktail reception in the Dutch Gallery will include a VIP preview of the new scrimshaw exhibit.

On Saturday, May 12, registration begins at 9:00 a.m. with plenary sessions starting at 10:00 a.m., to include, “William Sizer, Scrimshaw Artist: A Comprehensive Review” with John Miklos (Chicago); “The Latest Scrimshavological Forensic Analysis of the Anonymous and Mysterious Mantelpiece Maker,” with Donald C. Boger, M.D. (Los Angeles); “Remarks on Scrimshaw,” with Captain Thomas Conley (Chicago); buffet luncheon in the Jacobs Family Gallery.

Saturday afternoon sessions include “Scrimshaw: The Artist’s Eye,” with Ryan Cooper, scrimshaw artist (Cape Cod); “Market Report” with Andrew Jacobson (Ipswich, Mass.); “The California Penal Code and the California Crackdown,” with James Vaccarino, J.D., Scrimshaw Forensics® team; a panel discussion on the California Crackdown, with  Hon. Paul E. Vardeman, J.D. (Kansas City), Ken Brown (San Francisco), Rod Cardoza (San Diego), Chuck DeLuca (York, Maine and San Rafael, Calif.), Andrew Jacobson, and Stuart M. Frank, Ph.D. (moderator).

At 5:30 p.m., a cash bar will be followed by a banquet dinner at 7:00 p.m. in the Jacobs Family Gallery. The evening’s keynote, titled “Matchmaking” will be presented by Jack H.T. Chang, M.D. (Denver) at 8:00 p.m. in the Cook Memorial Theater.

On Sunday, May 13 at 10:30 a.m.: A Salute to Don Ridley: “Scrimshaw Fakes, Dangerous and Not So Dangerous,” with Stuart M. Frank in the Cook Memorial Theater; 11:15 a.m., VIP tour and discussion of “Seven Continents, Seven Seas,” with Stuart Frank, Wattles Family Gallery; lunch is on your own.

On Sunday at 2:00 p.m., a new exhibit, “Scrimshaw: Shipboard Art of the Whalers” opens to the public. The largest permanent exhibit of its kind, it coincides with the launch of a major new book on scrimshaw, titled “Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved: Scrimshaw in the New Bedford Whaling Museum.” by Stuart M. Frank. Published by David R. Godine, Boston, this definitive 400-page reference to the world’s largest scrimshaw collection includes more than 700 photographs by Richard Donnelly. Dr. Frank will be available to sign copies of the book. Light refreshments will be served.

Registration fee for Scrimshaw Weekend includes admission to the museum, all open galleries, nautical antiques show, all plenary sessions, Scrimshaw VIP Preview, exhibit opening, book launch, all scheduled meals, and refreshments: $370 (museum members $330). Tickets to Saturday’s banquet only: $75 each.

Admission to the Sunday opening of the scrimshaw exhibit and book launch only: regular admission rates apply. In honor of Mother’s Day, mothers are admitted free when accompanied by at least one member of her family.

For more information or to register, please contact visitor services at (508) 997-0046, ext. 100 or email: frontdesk@whalingmuseum.org. For the full schedule of events and program updates, please visit the museum website, www.whalingmuseum.org.

Special hotel room rates are available for Scrimshaw Weekend attendees. Call for details: Fairfield Inn and Suites New Bedford (Tel. 774.634.2000), and Hampton Inn New Bedford/Fairhaven (Tel. 508.990.8500).

The New Bedford Whaling Museum gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Northeast Auctions, LLC of Portsmouth, NH, and the Maine Antique Digest.

The Stone Fleet, which sailed from New Bedford, Nov. 16, 1861, by Benjamin Russell (1804-1885). It will be one of many images from the Whaling Museum discussed in “The Visual Culture of the Civil War Era.”

Keith Kauppila, Esq. will present an illustrated lecture titled The Visual Culture of the Civil War, on Thursday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m., Cook Memorial Theater, New Bedford Whaling Museum. A reception at 6:30 p.m. in the Jacobs Family Gallery precedes the lecture.

This lecture is part of the 2012 Old Dartmouth Lyceum series, and one of three Civil War related programs being offer by area organizations, including the New Bedford Historical Society, Friends of the New Bedford Free Public Library, New Bedford Civil War Roundtable, and Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Military Museum.

 Mr. Kauppila will discuss perspectives on painting inspired by the “War Between the States.” Several pieces from theWhalingMuseumcollection will be highlighted during this presentation. Mr. Kauppila has a deep interest in the visual and decorative arts and has been active on the museum’s collections committee. He currently serves on the Board of Governors at the Addison Gallery of American Art atPhillipsAcademy.

Other Civil War related programs include:

April 27:  “New Bedford’s Civil War” Professor Earl Mulderink, author of a new book published by Fordham University Press, titled New Bedford’s Civil War will present an illustrated talk on his research on Friday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whaling Museum.  This free program is part of a national book tour and includes a book-signing. It is co-sponsored by the New Bedford Historical Society, Friends of the New Bedford Public Library, Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Military Museum, New Bedford Civil War Roundtable, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

May 22: “The Day the South Lost the War: The Fall of New Orleans” Historian A. Wilson Greene will present an illustrated lecture titled The Day the South Lost the War: The Fall of New Orleans on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whaling Museum. This free lecture focuses on the combinedUnion naval and army operation in the spring of 1862 that resulted in the capture of the Confederacy’s largest city and most important port. Presented in association with theNew Bedford Civil War Round Table, Mr. Greene has been Study Leader for more than 40 Smithsonian Institute tours and seminars covering all the major Civil War campaigns and has spoken to more than 100 Civil War Roundtables across the country.

Old Dartmouth Lyceum admission on May 3: $15 members; $20 non-members. For tickets, call (508) 997-0046 Ext. 100. The lectures on April 27 and May 22 are free.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum 2012 Speakers’ Series, of which the Old Dartmouth Lyceum is a part, is presented by BayCoast Bank, and sponsored in part by C.E. Beckman, and Hampton Inn Fairhaven/New Bedford.

Kids visit the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance craft tables during Right Whale Day 2012.

The families arrived early and came in a steady stream between 10a – 2p yesterday for Right Whale Day.  They worked their way through the right whale obstacle course created by our High School Apprentices; created origami and whale tale necklaces with New England Coastal Wildlife staff and tried on the blubber glove to test the insulating capacity of whale blubber. They were greeted by Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society staff as they entered WDCS’s 48ft inflatable right whale and learned important right whale information from NOAA education staff.  Many stayed for some tasty cake topped with a frosted right whale. We wrapped up the day with a 2pm viewing of Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship, a new documentary that highlights four innovative collaborations that have led to increased protection of our ocean resources.

We thank NECWA, WDCS, NOAA, our high school apprentices and WM docents and Facilities staff for their help in making yesterday’s festivities a success.

Young visitors try to 'swim' through the propeller strike obstacle safely.

Rich Wilson

Famed circumnavigator Rich Wilson will give an illustrated talk titled Race France to France, Leave Antarctica to Starboard: An American in the Vendee Globe on Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m., Cook Memorial Theater, New Bedford Whaling Museum. A reception at 6:30 p.m. in the Jacobs Family Gallery precedes the lecture.

Wilson finished ninth in the world renowned Vendée Globe 2008-9 – the solo, non-stop, sailing race around the world.

The Vendée Globe race instructions are simple: “start at Les Sables d’Olonne (France), leave Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) to port, leave Cape Leeuwin (Australia) to port, leave Cape Horn (Chile) to port, leave Antarctica to starboard, finish at Les Sables d’Olonne; 26,000 miles, 100 days, solo, nonstop, without assistance, in 60’ sailboats.”

It wasn’t so simple. Wilson endured broken ribs, a facial gash, compressed vertebrae, hurricane force gales, an ascent up the 90’ mast, crushing fatigue, fear, and gear breakage in braving the course via the Atlantic, Indian and PacificOceans, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn, in his 60’ mono hull Great American III. A dedicated educator, Wilson connected his voyage to 250,000 students and 7 million readers by publication of a 15-part weekly series (written aboard ship) in 50 U.S. Newspapers, and by his website, www.sitesalive.com. Schools in 15 countries participated online.

Admission: $15 members; $20 non-members. For tickets, call (508) 997-0046 Ext. 100.

The 2012 Speakers’ Series is presented by BayCoast Bank, and sponsored in part by C.E. Beckman, and Hampton Inn Fairhaven/New Bedford.

Captain Sean S. Bercaw

Captain of the Amistad, former Naval Officer and Master Mariner, Sean S. Bercaw has sailed over 160,000 nautical miles under sail. He shares the fascinating narrative of sailing the Amistad reproduction, in 2010, into the Cuban waters where the 1839 story – which was the subject of the 1997 Steven Spielberg movie, Amistad – began. The revolt of the Amistad’s African captives, their takeover of the ship and the ensuing court battle is an inspiring human story that, in a case successfully argued by former President John Quincy Adams, culminated in their freedom being granted by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Admission: $15 members; $20 non-members. For tickets, call (508) 997-0046 Ext. 100.

The 2012 lecture series is presented by BayCoast Bank, and sponsored in part by C.E. Beckman, and Hampton Inn Fairhaven/New Bedford.

Hot on the heels of its premiere last night at the New England Aquarium, the new movie Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship, will be hosted by the New Bedford Whaling Museum in the Cook Memorial Theater on Monday afternoon, April 16, 2:00pm, as a fitting finale to a day of free activities focused on the North Atlantic Right Whale.  This film features four success stories of collaboration among seemingly disparate partners to protect our ocean resources.

Of the most interest to us here in Massachusetts, was the multi-year effort to get the shipping lanes in Boston Harbor shifted to lessen by 81% the likelihood that right whales would get hit by ships.  Led by Dr. David Wiley of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, researchers, shippers, regulators and conservation organizations pulled together to protect this critically endangered species.  Staff from the SBNMS will be here as Right Whale Day participants, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the designation of the Sanctuary.  They will introduce the film at 2:00.

To borrow directly from the press release “From the troubled waters now rises a new wave of hope, of prosperity through preservation, playing out in communities across the country and intimately captured in the new film by Green Fire Productions, OCEAN FRONTIERS.” This 80 minute film is free to the general public.

For more information about the film or about Right Whale Day call Science Director Robert Rocha at (508) 717-6849 or email rrocha@whalingmuseum.org

William Bradford's 1866 painting, "Sealers Crushed by Icebergs" (above). Stuart P. Feld and Richard C. Kugler (below, left to right) pose in front of the Bradford in 2003. Mr. Feld will talk on April 5th about the many important works added to the Museum's collection during Mr. Kugler's directorship. The program will include a reception and presentation of a major gift to the museum in Mr. Kugler's honor.

Stuart P. Feld, president of Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, opens the 2012 Old Dartmouth Lyceum lecture series with an illustrated program titled Whaling Museum acquisitions during the tenure of Director and Curator Richard C. Kugler on Thursday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cook Memorial Theater. A reception at 6:30 p.m. honoring Mr. Kugler in the Jacobs Family Gallery precedes the lecture.

A leading authority on American art, Mr. Feld will share his insights on 19th century paintings acquired by the museum during Mr. Kugler’s 25 years of service – a period of prodigious growth in the scope and breadth of the collection. The lecture will focus on works by celebrated American artist, William Bradford (1823-1892), a traveler and adventurer fascinated with the Arctic landscape. Mr. Kugler is a biographer and recognized expert on Bradford.

Mr. Feld became one of the first Fellows at The Metropolitan Museum of Art 1961. He worked in the Department of American Paintings and Sculpture at The Metropolitan Museum, during which time he co-authored American Paintings: A Catalogue of the Collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 1967, he left his post as Associate Curator in Charge of the Department and joined Hirschl & Adler Galleries as a partner, becoming its sole proprietor in 1982. He has authored many articles and catalogues in the field of American Art – both fine and decorative arts – and is a frequent lecturer around the country.

The evening will also include a special presentation by Bruce and Karen Wilburn of their major gift to the museum, minus fees, of $150,000 – netted recently from the sale at auction of their copy of a rare 1873 book by Bradford, titled The Arctic Regions: Illustrated with Photographs Taken on an Art Expedition – at the Swann Galleries, New York City. The gift will fund several museum projects related to the history of arctic exploration.

James Russell, museum president said, “On behalf of the trustees, I wish to sincerely thank Bruce and Karen Wilburn for their remarkable gift. It will enable the museum to tell an extraordinary chapter in the story of American exploration and in the life of William Bradford – a New Bedford native who rose to become one of the great names in 19th century American art – and whose work in the Arctic more than 140 years ago holds new relevancy for current scientific research and global climate change.”

Mr. Wilburn noted “We would not have made this contribution were it not for Dick Kugler. Over the many years that we have been associated with the museum, Dick was always accessible, immensely knowledgeable and a phenomenal asset to the organization. His name is synonymous with Bradford and it is with great appreciation and affection for him that we make this gift.”

Frances F. Levin, chair of the museum’s collection committee, noted “under Dick Kugler’s leadership the museum collection grew to become truly world-class. In particular, his extraordinary scholarship and vision in acquiring Bradford’s works is a lasting legacy, one which continues to inspire significant gifts such as the Wilburns’ and will in turn produce new insights into the nexus of art and science, as will be seen next year.”

Michael Lapides, director of digital initiatives and curator for next year’s exhibition, said, “The Wilburns’ generous gift will enable the museum to create Arctic Regions: Away then Floats the Ice-Island, scheduled to open spring of 2013. Bradford’s rare elephant folio will be at the core of this exhibit. Many of the original wet plate collodian negatives made on the 1869 voyage belong to the Museum and will be used to produce spectacular prints. The exhibit will highlight intersections between art, commerce, science and exploration. These funds will also enable the museum to republish Bradford’s book, as well as offer educational programming.”

Admission: $15 members; $20 non-members. For tickets, call (508) 997-0046 Ext. 100.

The 2012 Speakers’ Series is presented by BayCoast Bank, and sponsored in part by C.E. Beckman, and Hampton Inn Fairhaven/New Bedford.