South Street Seaport Museum @ Freeport, A little maritime treasure
Written: Oct 14 '03 (Updated Oct 17 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Some very interesting Maritime facts and simple displays.
Cons: The place is small and you don't get to see everything.
The Bottom Line: This place is very simple and actually crude in some ways. It is also a wealth of Freeport and maritime information.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: South Street Seaport Museum |
Most people know of the huge multi-block area in lower Manhattans east side wharf area known as the South Street Seaport. Few people know there is a smaller extension of this museum in Freeport, Long Island, New York.
Update Sorry to say that this freeport location is now closed. It really could have been a wonderful wonder if it was properly supported.
On a strip of road that runs along one of Freeport's canals is an area known as Freeport's Nautical Mile. It is a newly refurbished area that is chock full of things to do, see, and places to dine.
The Nautical Mile's theme comes from the many boating, fishing, and other maritime opportunities. There are nautical theme stores, fish markets, boat building marinas, sales offices, and fine restaurants that feature fine fresh catch from the sea. Many of these restaurants have live music and are exciting to visit.
SOME BACKGROUND
In the midst of all this is a museum. It's about halfway down on the canal on the right hand side. You can't miss the huge South Street Seaport Museum @ Freeport sign posted above its doors.
The South Street Seaport, it seems, uses this property for storage of some of the boats it owns that may someday be refurbished.
The people who man (and woman) the place are mostly volunteers who have a bit of knowledge of boating and old Freeport. There is only one person who is full time paid staff.
What this means is that the people you meet there love what they are doing!!
The place is run on a non-profit basis. It is the Long Island Maritime Education Center.
WHAT'S OUTSIDE?
There is a large parking lot on the south side of the building. On summer days and nights you may have to search for a spot. Winter weekdays are no problem.
Next to the building are a few vessels in dry dock. These craft are from the early 1900's. One is a wooden 38' coast guard cutter that is now very weary and needs help before it is lost forever.
A "Ketcham" built boat from 1928 is also on display as are a few others.
While we are outside let me guide you to an important craft that is just across the street. Actually right now there are two!
When the canal area was all refurbished they built an Esplanade. This is a gathering place on the water with day use dock space, and an open area for strolling. A small fountain is there as are some maritime artifacts with descriptions of what they are and where they came from.
On the south end of this area is a 26' Grover Built boat that has an outboard motor. This particular boat claims fame in the Guinness Book of World records. The captain, Al Grover, and two sons took the craft on a 33 day journey across the Atlantic Ocean through 25 foot seas and 100 mile per hour winds. They were the first to ever make this journey on a small craft with an outboard motor!! When you look at the boat, you wonder how they did it.
Posted next to the craft is the information about the trip and also an enlarged letter from then President Ronald Reagan congratulating them on their feat.
A VERY SPECIAL TREAT
Right now docked at the esplanade, across the street from the museum entrance, is the tall ship The Bounty. This ship was built in 1960 for use in the 1962 film, "Mutiny on the Bounty" starring Marlon Brando and Trevor Howard. It has been used in other films too including "Treasure Island", filmed in 1989.
I learned that an earlier 1935 version of this film starring Charles Laughton and Clarke Gable was all done in a sound stage. The wheel that was used in the 1930s movie set is now on this 1960 ship.
The Bounty is 180' long and 115'feet high. She is beautiful!! This is being used as a "Ghost Ship" from October 17th till the 31st. There will be a five dollar charge. It will be open every day 5PM and on. The ship is already being stocked with horror supplies. You can see the Jolly Roger flying from a mast. A skeleton is at the helm and bats fly sentry above the decks. A few ghosts are also there to help haunt the ship. It should be fun. The boat will leave November 1st, head to Baltimore and then to the Florida Keys. Maybe we will see her again next year. I hope so, she looks grand on the canal.
INTO The MUSEUM
This is a small place by other museum standards. My guess is that it is about 2,500 square feet of space. Most of what you see is donated or made by the volunteers.
Adults have to give $2.00 for admission. Children are free. There is also a donation box by the entrance. Put in a couple extra dollars if you can spare it. The place does need funds.
After you pay or perhaps before so, one of the volunteers may start showing you around the place. There were no strict rules here.
I suppose it may be different when the many school field trips come in.
Throughout the museum are models, some of them over eight feet long, of different kinds of sailing vessels. Many old photos are also there. I was shown two, three, and four masted schooners. There were also Sloops and Briggs along with tug boats and other model crafts.
There were some real boats here too. Our guide took us over to see the Guy Lombardo boat. Besides ringing in the New Year for all the television viewers Guy Lombardo also was an avid racing boat fan and racer. One of his boats was rescued and refurbished. It's the Tempo V. There are photos and stories there too. Though it is now gone, his home was once just across the canal, not far from where the museum is. The street he used to live on is named Guy Lombardo Ave.
There was a canoe that was made in "Old Town" and was sailed in the Freeport waters, yes sailed. It has the rigging and more old photos with it.
A small room showed many of the crafts, through pictures and models, that were built right on the canal. It was interesting looking at the Coast Guard Boats and the Rum Runner Boats that were made by the same company. One was made to catch the other while the other was built to evade the first. This happened during the prohibition days in the early 1900s.
The next small room had all the tools used by a sail maker. A huge singer sewing machine and a case with the tools were accompanied by literature and photos on the walls explaining their use.
They happened to have a picture of my church on the wall. Well, actually it was the original building that was constructed in 1900. We now have a very large and beautiful house of worship just across the street from where this first one stood. I loved looking at the many photos and even two huge dioramas that depict the early sea town days of Freeport.
It seemed that the town was first named after a gentleman named Raynor. The town was simply called Raynortown. As years went on this was a place where captains took their cargo because there was no tax on delivery. It was a free port, thus Freeport became the name of the town.
The main room of the museum has a jaw bone from a whale. It looked like a Right Whale bone to me. The guides were not sure. It was found on nearby Jones Beach.
A small area for the little ones has tiny stuffed sea animals. Octopus, seahorses, and crabs were lined up as were puzzles with nautical themes. The area had a small table and chairs.
THE BIG BACK ROOM
There is a large back room that is open when there are enough volunteers to man the place. This room has some neat hands on fun for kids.
It has a series of block and tackle with equal weight. It demonstrates how each turn on a pulley helps make the weight easier to lift.
I understand that they have a guy who comes in and demonstrates knots from time to time. There is a board mounted with some knots on display.
Another hands on piece demonstrated leverage. It had rope hanging from a lever above our heads. The further from the fulcrum the easier to pick up the load.
I saw a rigging set up, but didn't see how it worked. The particular guy who showed me around said it's used and displayed during some field trips.
I didn't mention the first room also had a demonstration on how a wheel works to turn the rudder of a boat. It showed the ropes, cables, and other items needed to perform this function.
Returning to the back room you can see a full size model of what a bay house might have looked like. These were originally home base for men working the sea. They would harvest shell fish and their supplies would be in the bay house. As years went on the bay houses were taken over for recreational use.
It was interesting seeing the small pot bellied stove, a bed, and all the tools that were used.
This back room also had many engines that were real antiques. They even had a single piston "one lunger" engine as they called them, on display. Another one was called a "knuckle buster" you had to turn a wheel to get the engine fired up.
Also tucked away in this large room with a huge overhead garage door was an Indian dug out canoe carved out of one piece of wood. The Sand Bagger, a Puffin boat, that won a sailing race last year was also there. What is noted to be one of only three surviving "roll over" Coast Guard boats is waiting for the day the South Street Seaport may refurbish her.
Make A SPLASH
This museum is also where a group by the name of SPLASH meets.
S top
P olluting
L ittering
A nd
S ave
H arbors
This is a group of individuals who take a boat up and down the canals on most days of the week. They pick up any litter in the canals.
I was fortunate enough to go out with these guys a few years ago with our youth group. They work hard and tirelessly to keep the waters clean. They are sponsored by many of the businesses on the Nautical Mile, Freeport, and some neighboring businesses.
They have the original boat they used for this duty on display along with other information.
Right next to this is a display of information about Long Island wrecks. Many ships have gone down around its shores.
Last Thoughts
This museum is not a finely finished stark looking place. It is simple with many displays and pictures. If you enjoy any maritime information, you could spend hours there. I would think most kids would be entertained for a half hour or so unless all the demonstrations are going on. Add another half hour if they are.
I enjoyed looking around and asking questions. I'll probably go back again soon. For two bucks, it's a bargain.
Freeport's Nautical Mile A great destination with dozens of fine restaurants, a Casino Boat, Fishing and Party Boats, Live Entertainment, Mini-Golf, three fresh fish markets, novelty shops and more.
RACHEL'S WATERSIDE GRILL Fine Fare on the Canal
OTTO'S Sea Grill Fun and food on the canal
The Crab Shack
Cafe by the Sea Good menu and great desserts. Fun entertainment too!
Bracco's Clam and Oyster Bar
Ralph's Famous Italian IcesThey are on Freeport's Nautical Mile and elsewhere across the Island
Montana's Pizzeria and Restaurant Good Italian food near Nautical Mile
Long Island Some love it so don't
Cradle of Aviation Museum
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT MUSEUM, NEW YORK CITY
Mystic Seaport Connecticut's 17 acre Maritime Museum
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Students
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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