The American Maritime People

FAIN: EH-50299-11

Mystic Seaport Museum (Mystic, CT 06355-1946)
Glenn Gordinier (Project Director: March 2011 to November 2014)
Eric Paul Roorda (Co Project Director: March 2011 to November 2014)

Funding details:
Original grant (2011) $155,016.00
Supplement (2012) $6,122.03

A five-week institute for twenty college and university faculty members on the American maritime experience over the past four centuries.

The Frank C. Munson Institute of American Maritime Studies at Mystic Seaport proposes a five-week summer institute for college/university teachers entitled "The American Maritime People" in summer 2012. The Institute build's on the Museum's successful record of three previous NEH institutes. The American people, as a population descended largely from ocean-going immigrants, have strong historical connections to the sea; the U.S. citizenry continues to be deeply dependent on maritime activities. Through a series of seminars led by ten visiting scholars and co-directors Gordinier and Roorda, "The American Maritime People" will employ interdisciplinary perspectives on American maritime studies, with an emphasis on recent social, cultural, and ecological approaches and current research. Participants will enhance their course offerings through intensive studies, dialog, and reflection on the influence of maritime activities on U.S. history and culture.