Sailors’ Series 2025: A Voyage to the Arctic with Captain Graham McKay - New Bedford Whaling Museum

Sailors’ Series: A Voyage to the Arctic with Captain Graham McKay

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Captain Graham McKay
Captain Graham McKay

Thursday, March 27, 2025
Doors at: 5:30 PM
Lecture: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Cocktail Reception: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

$10 for members | $20 for non-members

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the Arctic with Captain Graham McKay, master boatbuilder and director of Lowell’s Boat Shop. This captivating evening will transport you aboard the historic schooner Bowdoin, exploring its storied past and its most recent voyage to the ice-choked waters of Greenland and the Arctic Circle.

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Program Highlights:

  • Lecture (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM):
    Captain McKay will share his experiences sailing the 104-year-old schooner Bowdoin, a vessel designed by legendary explorer Donald MacMillan for Arctic exploration. Learn about the challenges of navigating through icy waters, the stunning Arctic landscapes, and the people and communities encountered along Greenland’s west coast. McKay will also delve into the Bowdoin’s rich history as a pioneering Arctic vessel. Includes Q & A, time permitting.
  • Meet & Greet Cocktail Reception (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM):
    Following the lecture, join Captain McKay for a meet-and-greet reception. Enjoy cocktails from the cash bar and complimentary light refreshments while engaging in one-on-one conversations with this extraordinary mariner, boatbuilder, and historian.

About Captain Graham McKay:
Graham McKay is the director and master boatbuilder at Lowell’s Boat Shop, the oldest continuously operating boat shop in America and a National Historic Landmark. A former tall ship captain, McKay holds a master’s degree in Maritime History and Archaeology from the University of Bristol and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard College. With experience as a commercial diver, fisherman, and fisheries scientist, McKay brings a lifetime of maritime expertise to his work at Lowell’s and his adventures aboard historic vessels.

Tickets:
Advance ticket purchase is recommended for this event. Tickets include access to both the lecture and cocktail reception.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the Arctic and the fascinating history of the schooner Bowdoin through the eyes of an experienced mariner.

Reserve your tickets today!

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Supported by Ruth and Hope Atkinson

Supported in part by
The Samuel D. Rusitzky Lecture Fund

The Sailors’ Series is an annual, legacy lecture series of the New Bedford Whaling Museum that presents a wide variety of experiences and adventures by individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea.