Mystic Seaport Celebrating "Ships, Clocks & Stars: The Quest for Longitude"

Mystic Seaport is hosting a series of events to celebrate the opening of its newest exhibit, “Ship, Clocks, & Stars: The Quest for Longitude” on Saturday, September 19. A media preview will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 17.

“Ships, Clocks & Stars” celebrates the 300th anniversary of the British Longitude Act of 1714, which offered a huge prize for any practical way to determine longitude at sea. The longitude problem was so difficult that—despite that incentive—it took more than a century to solve it. Through the latest research and extraordinary historic artifacts—many never before displayed outside the UK—the exhibition tells the story of the clockmakers, astronomers, naval officers, and others who pursued the long “quest for longitude” to ultimate success.

The award-winning exhibit is a production of the National Maritime Museum in London and is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation. The exhibit runs through March, 28, 2016, after which time it will move to the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.

A press release with background information and high-resolution images available for download can be found on the Mystic Seaport website. Video b-roll will be available on request.

“Longitude Found”

Thursday, September 17, 7 p.m.

Dr. Richard Dunn will give a public presentation titled “Longitude Found” about the story behind the “Ships, Clocks & Stars” exhibit and how he and his team combined the latest scholarly research with remarkable historic artifacts to bring the quest to measure longitude at sea to life. The event is free to Mystic Seaport members; $15 for non-members. The talk will be in the River Room at Latitude 41 Restaurant, 105 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, CT.

Book Signing with Dava Sobel

Friday, September 18, 3:30-5 p.m.

Author Dava Sobel will attend a book signing in the Maritime Bookstore to sign copies of her 1995 book “Longitude.” The best-selling book is credited with popularizing the story of longitude. This event is free and open to the public. Maritime Bookstore at Mystic Seaport, 41 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, CT.

Opening Reception

Friday, September 18, 7 p.m.

Mystic Seaport will hold a private reception to celebrate the opening of the exhibit the following day. Author Dava Sobel, museum leadership, and other dignitaries will offer brief remarks and guests will be able to view the exhibit. This event is invitation-only and not open to the public. Interested members of the news media are invited to attend. RSVP required.

Ribbon Cutting

Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m.

Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) will lead a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the R. J. Schaefer Building at Mystic Seaport to mark the official opening of the exhibit.