Thursday, June 30, 2022

Seaport Association Receives Funding from CT Humanities For Connecticut Summer @ the Museum

 

The Seaport Association was awarded a grant from CT Humanities for participating in Connecticut Summer at the Museum 2022 initiative. This program invites Connecticut children ages 18 and under plus one accompanying Connecticut resident adult to visit participating museums free of charge from July 1 through September 5, 2022. Funding for the initiative is provided by the CT General Assembly, with the support of Connecticut Humanities, the Department of Economic and Community Development, and the Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the federal ARPA. 


“We are very proud to be among the grant recipients,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association. “This infusion of funding will help us achieve our mission of education by introducing children from Connecticut, 18 years old and younger to our historic lighthouse and its maritime history that is such an important part of Connecticut’s cultural heritage. We are looking forward to sharing this experience with families from Connecticut this summer.” 

A day out on the water and a visit to Sheffield Island Lighthouse, a historic museum provides a special opportunity that can positively impact mental health, demonstrably improve learning outcomes among children and youth, and offer positive activities and outlets in many of the neighborhoods, towns, and cities that we serve. As children and students missed out on more than two years of group and school visits to our institutions as part of hands-on, interactive learning, the CT Summer at the Museum Program gives these children and students a chance to experience our maritime heritage and our historic lighthouse on Sheffield Island in Norwalk. 

The program, that the Seaport Association is participating in invites Connecticut children ages 18 and under plus one accompanying Connecticut resident adult to visit participating museums free of charge from July 1 through September 5, 2022. The Seaport Association is offering a three-hour cruise to Sheffield Island and Sheffield Island Lighthouse Museum as part of this program Tuesday- Sun @ 11 am and 3 pm from July 1 – September 5. Reservations must be made in advance online only. There is a limited number of tickets allocated for each day. To make reservations for a cruise to Sheffield Island Lighthouse Museum click here.   Tickets are subject to availability. Special events are excluded. Children will enjoy narrated tour on the way to the island and an hour or so of picnicking on the beach or in the new wooden pavilion, touring the historic lighthouse, looking for shells on the beach, and taking a walk to the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge to view the colorful sea birds sheltered in the marshes and sandy shores of the island. If the day is clear, the New York City skyline can be seen. An added bonus is the telescope installed by the Seaport Association that is free to use and affords fabulous views of the Connecticut coastline. 


About the Seaport Association
 
The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage. 

About Connecticut Humanities CT Humanities
(CTH) is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. CTH projects, administration, and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations, and gifts from private sources. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org

About Connecticut Office of the Arts 
The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is the state agency charged with fostering the health of Connecticut’s creative economy. Part of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, the COA is funded by the State of Connecticut as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.

Monday, June 20, 2022

Norwalk Seaport Association Offers Sunset Cruises July, August, and September

Departing from Norwalk Harbor at the Seaport Dock located on 10 North Water Street in Norwalk, guests are in for a picture-perfect experience at sunset with the Norwalk Seaport Association. Imagine relaxing on comfortable seats and watching the stunning scenery of Long Island Sound glide by as you sip on your favorite glass of wine and nibble on the goodies that you have packed to bring aboard the vessel. 


This summer the Association is offering Sunset cruises Wednesday – Sunday from June to September. Sunset cruises depart at 6:30 p.m. and return at 8:30 p.m., just in time for a late-night snack at your favorite restaurant. On a sunset cruise time seems to slow down giving you the opportunity to unwind and toast the end of the day or celebrate the end of a busy week! A special perk of taking a sunset cruise is that it allows you to spend some quality time with whomever you are with. 

The friendly crew welcomes passengers as the Captain tells stories of merchants and sailors that have used this scenic waterway for centuries. Learn how Native Americans introduced oysters to English settlers and how captains of industry used this area to develop trade routes that went as far as the West Indies. The narrative gives a new understanding of Norwalk historically, and also reflects the importance of this scenic harbor today. 

As the vessel travels into Long Island Sound it will give passengers a close-up view of several of Norwalk’s islands and the beautiful homes that are built on them. The cruise also passes three historic lighthouses, Peck’s, Green Ledge, and, the maritime icon of Connecticut, Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Architecturally stunning the Sheffield Island Lighthouse is a perfect example of Victorian stone masonry. Green Ledge and Peck’s are fine examples of sparkplug lighthouses, of which only 33 remain in the United States. The view of these three lighthouses up close as the sun begins to set is magical. 


Guests will travel in safety and comfort with no more than 49 passengers on board the vessel owned by the Seaport Association. Passengers can eat, drink, and be merry on the sunset cruise because alcoholic beverages and snacks are allowed, just don’t forget to bring cups and openers! A sunset cruise is a magical time of day. The sky is filled with various hues of blue, yellow, pink, and orange making it a relaxing experience that is hard to forget. 

Sunset Cruise Schedule & Parking
The boat leaves from the dock on 10 North Water Street at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday evenings, June through September. The Seaport Dock is adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and North Water Streets. Parking is available in the adjacent lot or at the Maritime Center Parking Garage. For tickets visit http://www.seaport.org or call 203-838-9444. Sunset cruises are $33 per person. The boat sails promptly as scheduled so it is best to arrive at the dock 30 minutes before departure to facilitate the boarding process.