"Summer at Sea - Waterford's Maritime History 1850s"

Sailcloth helps move the vessel, clothe the sailor, and tote all the things to sea. If a seaman knew his stitches, he might earn his way off the watch system and onto a civilized sunrise-to-sunset schedule of sail maintenance instead. In the photo, Nate works with a sailor's palm (a thimble for the heel of the hand), a triangular sail needle and waxed thread.

The Waterford Historical Society will once again bring a lively, convincing troupe of living historians, the Dirty Blue Shirts, to Jordan Green from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 12 to bring history to life with “Summer at Sea: Waterford’s Maritime History: 1850s.”  

The historians will recount stories of women and children at sea, including games; give demonstrations of rope and net making, canvas stitching and caulking; explain knitting and clothing production and ways in which local coastal communities supported sailors, and how the 1850s diet was influenced by the maritime. 

A musician will sing and discuss sea ballads and work chanteys and the difference between them, and the historians will be linking their presentations in song. 

Daniel Walls, a professional marine rigger specializing in traditional and yacht rigging, will be there with his full array of maritime and naval memorabilia and artifacts sure to delight any collector or mariner! 
 
The event is family-friendly and free. Exhibits located outside are handicap accessible. There is ample parking by Jordan Green, the Waterford Public Library or Community Center across Rope Ferry Road, and handicap-accessible bathrooms are located nearby in the lower level of the Stacy Barn.