Friday, May 17th
I’m starting this weekend off on Friday because of the tentative Friday morning mast raising on the Sloop Providence, a reproduction ship used in recreations. According to Discover Wiscasset “John Paul Jones’ first command was the Revolutionary War ship Providence, and its adventures were so epic they decided to make a replica of the ship for the 1976 Bicentennial. And THAT ship has seen lively adventures of its own, sailing with PIRATES in not one, but TWO Pirates of the Caribbean movies. It’s on our #workingwaterfront in #wiscassetmaine for repairs and upgrades just in time for #mainebicentennial and going to be on display in Washington DC this summer.”
Saturday, May 18th
Community Day and New Display Opening at Maine Maritime Museum
Join us for our annual kick-off to the summer season! Admission is FREE and cruise tickets are just $10. Don’t miss the return of the historic schooner Mary E and the raising of the flags over the Wyoming with a cannon salute at noon. We will also be celebrating the opening of our newest exhibit Shipwrecks and Salvage. (This display will include information on the Hesper and Luther Little which for years sat in Wiscasset’s harbor). Plus, check out our fun summer family program “Seabase Delta Aquanauts Academy” for an interactive lesson on deep sea diving, and learn how ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) are changing underwater archaeology at our ROV demonstration.
A Revolutionary Tea and the Story of the Real Betsy Ross
Come relax and enjoy delicious tea, delectable goodies and a talk about a favorite character from history, Betsy Ross, the woman who is reputed have sewn the first American flag for George Washington. Dr. Marla Miller, noted speaker, professor of history at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the author of Betsy Ross and the Making of America, will tell the fascinating story of the real woman behind the beloved legend. 2 – 4 pm at the Nickels-Sortwell House Barn. Advance purchase is required. $20 Historic New England members, $25 non-members.
A multi-tiered challenge course and zip lines with different levels of difficulty including a kiddie course.
Lighthouse Lovers Cruise
3:30pm – 7:30pm at the Maine Maritime Museum. See up to 10 of Maine’s most iconic lighthouses: Doubling Point Light, Kennebec Range Lights, Squirrel Point Light, Perkins Island Light, Pond Island Light, Seguin Island Light, Cuckolds Light, Ram Island Light, Burnt Island Light, and Hendricks Head Light. This is the first of Lighthouse Lovers Cruise of the season, they’ll occur regularly every Saturday night until October 5th.
Full Moon Train Ride
6:30pm – 8:00pm at the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum, 97 Cross Rd, Alna. A moonlight train celebrating Narrow Gauge Railroading will leave Sheepscot Station. Our own WW&F Railway Superintendent, Jason Lamontagne, will present a fascinating show enumerating and explaining the merits of narrow gauge railroads versus their larger, standard gauge cousins. Refreshments and snacks will be available. The train will return to Sheepscot after sunset, lit only by oil lamp and moonlight. Get tickets here.
Regularly Occurring Saturday Events
Steam Train Rides at the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway 10am to 2pm
Montsweag Flea Market 6 am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday mornings
Monday, May 20th
Haunted History Tours
I decided to include Monday in the week because Red Cloak Tours has begun their Haunted History Tours in Wiscasset. They will occur every Monday from 7:30pm – 9:00pm. During the tours the rich history in this area lends itself to exploring “the other side” of Wiscasset. Enjoy a twilight “haunted history” walking tour. There are also tours of the Ancient Burial Grounds which are by reservation only. 207-380-3806.
