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Exhibit Opening April 13, 2007

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Keeping a Weather Eye : Shipwrecks and Lifesaving in Boston Harbor

Station crew
Point Allerton U.S. Lifesaving Station and Crew, c1890, HLM Collection

Excerpt from the Point Allerton U.S. Lifesaving Station Log, April 8, 1894

The wind and sea increasing, thinking it probable the vessel would drag and part chains, sent a man with horses for our Beach Apparatus. Launched boat, taking two volunteers with us, and tried to reach her. The sea rushed in with such velocity, [we were] unable to reach her and [were] driven back to the beach where we took two more MHS crew and started anew. When nearly out to her, she commenced striking bottom, swinging around broadside, breaking the schooner some, so that we were able to get near enough for one man to jump into [the] boat. On getting nearer the second time, the remainder of the crew, five in number, jumped all at once for the boat, one man falling overboard. We were fortunate and got him. Started for shore and made a good landing.

The crew were taken to the Station and provided with dry clothing��? also with food. Less than two hours after taking off this crew, the vessel went to pieces and is strewn along the beach. This schooner was the Mary A. Hood from Philadelphia for Bath, Maine with iron pipe.

Joshua James, Keeper

On Friday, April 13, 2007 the Hull Lifesaving Museum opened They Had to Go Out. The first new interpretation of the historic Point Allerton Lifesaving Station in more than 10 years will include photographs, logs book accounts, newspaper articles, artifacts, and film clips, as well as interactive elements for visitors of all ages. Please join us for the opening reception at 7 pm. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Ongoing Exhibits

 


Point Allerton U.S. Lifesaving Station

Dramatically situated at the mouth of Boston Harbor, with breathtaking views of Boston Light and the Graves Lighthouse, the museum is located in the restored 19th century Point Allerton U.S. Lifesaving Station, home of Joshua James and his crews, the most celebrated lifesavers in the world. A great family destination, as well as scholarly site, visitors of all ages will delight in learning about storms, lighthouses, shipwrecks, and rescues from our vibrant hands-on exhibits.

The Orientation Room helps visitors trace the history of organized lifesaving from its 18th century roots to today's modern Coast Guard.

The Keeper 's Room celebrates the amazing life and deeds of America's Greatest Lifesaver, Joshua James, introduces visitors to the Massachusetts Humane Society, and tells the exciting story of the Great Storm of 1888.

The Boat Room displays the lifesavers' actual apparatus, including the massive surfboat Nantasket, a rigged Beach Cart, and a working Breeches Buoy.

The Edward Rowe Snow Room features lighthouse models, exhibits about Boston Harbor, the museum's rare book collection, video library, and research room.

The Children's Navigation Loft is a special play attic for youngsters, complete with dress-up trunks, games, puzzles, maritime activities, and a climb-on sailing ship.

The Observation Cupola, atop the station, allows for stunning views of Boston Harbor and the Islands.

 

 

Past Exhibits

 

Sea Dogs! Great Tails of the Sea

We are thrilled to welcome Sea Dogs! Great Tails of the Sea, a traveling exhibit on loan from Mystic Seaport Museum that celebrates the special relationship shared by humans and dogs who live and work by the sea. For centuries dogs have offered comfort, companionship, and search and rescue ass istance to crews in the often cold, lonely, and dangerous work of guarding the coast. Sea Dogs! includes funny, compelling, and touching, historic artifacts, photographs, film clips, newspaper reports, original art, children's books, and a fabulous climb-on boat, All Paws On Deck. Among those highlighted in Sea Dogs! are breeds, such as Newfoundlands and Portuguese Water Dogs, specifically bred for their work on the water, as well as dogs who have served alongside humans "manning" lighthouses, Coast Guard beach patrols, boats, and stations just like our own Point Allerton Station. where a loyal sea dog was immortalized in 19th century photographs alongside Joshua James and his crew.

9th Annual Sea & Sky Art Show

September 16 - October 16, 2005

Sea & Sky celebrates the summer painting season as well as the richness of our region's artistic community. We are thrilled to have engaged three superb jurors for the 2005 show. These are painters Jack Haran, member of the New England Watercolor Society, Ted Charron, signature artist at the Copley Society, and internationally known night photographer Lance Keimig. Running simultaneously with the juried show will be an exhibition of members' work. Businesses and organizations sponsoring cash awards for each prize include Jake's Seafood, Richardson Insurance, Spinnaker Island Association, Nantasket Beach Hotel & Conference Center, and The Hull Times. Opportunities are still available to sponsor underwriting the entire Sea & Sky Event, Opening Reception, Museum Acquisition Fund, and Printmaking Award.

Lifebuoy Saves Lives!

Lifebuoy Soap was a household staple for generations of American and British families. Turn-of-the-century advertisements for Lifebuoy soap proclaimed the slogan “Lifebuoy Saves Lives” and featured images of heroic coastal lifesavers. These wonderful images now appear quaint and even humorous in their comparison of household hygiene with the drama of rescue on stormy seas. Yet, the advertisements also appealed to consumers' genuine fear of disease and growing understanding of health and hygiene.

Gitana deck, 1883, Nathaniel L. Stebbins.  Collection of SPNEA

The Camera's Coast

June to September 2004
The Camera's Coast” is a sampler of historic coastal New England images from the collections of The Society for the Preservati on of New England Antiquities (SPNEA). The pioneering photographers represented from SPNEA include Nathaniel Stebbins, Henry G. Peabody, Baldwin Coolidge, and Emma Coleman. Subjects depicted include square-riggers, coasting schooners, fishing vessels and fishing ports, small boats and large yachts, summer hotels and fishermen's shacks, fishermen, seaweed gatherers, and saltmarsh haymakers.



House on Hingham Harbor,

Jeanne MacFarland

8th Annual Sea & Sky Art Show

September 16-October 31, 2004
Beginning as an informal showing of the summer's work by local artists, Sea & Sky has grown in both breadth and depth.  This year will mark our first Sea & Sky to include both a juried and non-juried show. 

   
Flying Santa image

Flying Sa nta: A Holiday Tradition

Our winter exhibit, Flying Santa: A Holiday Tradition, op ens December 8, 2006, and will be on view through March 11, 2007. The exhibit will celebrate the wonderful tradition of Flying Santa, begun in Maine in 1929 by Captain William Wincapaw. For more than 75 years, Flying Santa visited isolated families who tended the lighthouses along the New England Coast and beyond, delivering Christmas gifts, and appreciation for their often cold and lonely work. Boston Harbor historian and author Edward Rowe Snow continued the Flying Santa flights for more than forty years, growing the practice into a truly beloved holiday tradition. The exhibit will include photographs, newspaper articles, video clips, and artifacts, as well as hands-on activities for children. General admission is $5 adults, $3 seniors, Free children. Call 781-925-5433 for holiday and school vacation hours.

 
 
 
 
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