For those of you who have read recent editions of this newsletter, and for those familiar with the work of eminent Maine photojournalist Kosti Ruohomaa, you're probably aware that in 2017, Black Star Publishing donated the photographer's archived work to PMM. Unbelievably generous gifts from Linda and Diana Bean, from the Mildred H. McEvoy Foundation, and from the Wyeth Foundation for American Art have enabled us to undertake the digitization and description of the photographs recently.

Because of Ruohomaa's importance in the annals of American photojournalism and in the hearts of Mainers, and because we're excited about further discovering the depth of his talent, we've already done a lot to promote the project and the collection. A number of public talks by project team members, a travelling exhibit now installed at its fifth venue, and multiple articles in regional press including a feature in the spring 2019 issue of Yankee magazine have all helped to generate new interest in the photographs.

To that end, we're also pleased to announce that we've just launched a web page which highlights the collection and the photographer. The "microsite" will provide a window into our progress with the digitization effort. Here we'll announce rolling publications to the web of newly-created content, naturally themed around the projects Ruohomaa focused on during his time as a Black Star photographer. You'll also be able to view standout examples of Ruohomaa's work, notably in the virtual exhibit we'll add to the site soon. We'll also post news here about upcoming talks about the Ruohomaa Collection and new exhibits of his work.

You can jump to the site here. Thanks for taking a look!

As the summer winds down, it's a good time to consider a boat donation on behalf of the Penobscot Marine Museum. We partner with The Maritime Funding Association of Maine, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps coordinate charitable boat donations. If you have a boat valued at $10,000 or more, Maritime Funding can help you navigate your donation and its tax implications. You can specify that you would like the proceeds to benefit PMM directly or be divided among established, marine-related non-profits in Maine.

 

To learn more about this great program, see The Maritime Funding Association website or call them at (207) 669­-4999.

 

China remained a closed society into the nineteenth century, limiting legal foreign trading to Canton until the Opium War with Britain ended in 1843 with additional treaty ports opening to foreign trade. Under the Canton Trade system, foreign traders could only remain in Canton for the duration of unloading, loading, and disposing of cargos. The 12 miles between Whampoa and Canton was not open to foreign shipping, so the captain and supercargo had to go by riverboat to arrange with the Chinese merchants.  Foreign ships gathered at Whampoa to unload cargos, which were transshipped upriver to the hongs. While China saw little reason to import goods, except for the opium that was their downfall, as well as ginseng, sandalwood, beche de mer, and case oil. They had plenty to export to foreign markets, the big three being tea, silks, and porcelain.

The Pagoda Anchorage at Whampoa Unknown Chinese c.1840  Oil on Canvas  Gift of Dwight D. Moore, #606

 

Whampoa, A Closer Look

 

The Pagoda Island anchorage sits off Whampoa. It was here that foreign ships waited, sometimes for months, as seen by the number of ships that have taken down their rigs. The Pazhou (Whampoa) Pagoda, standing at 194 feet, served as a mariner's landmark: "When Whampoa Pagoda is observed just on the northernmost clump of hill on Danes Island, haul out more into the middle of the river to avoid the shoal ground...[and further on]. When Whampoa Pagoda is seen clear to the northward of the Flat Islands, steer for the northern shore." The Baiyun Mountains rise to the north of the Zhujiang River, formerly known as the Canton River. The passage to Canton extends to the left. Hanan Island is to the left of the anchorage, French Island is in the foreground, and the tip of Dane Island is on the right side of the painting.

Inset of Hong Kong and Canton from  "Coast of China: Hong Kong to Yang-Tse"  Chart, published by James Imray and Son, 1868.

11:30am-Noon -Yard in the Yard Demonstration Help furl the square sails on our Downeaster mast in the yard.

Noon - Presentation & Book Signing John Anderson will discuss his new book  Borne on the Wind: the Life and Journals of Captain Anders Anderson . A Swedish immigrant, Captain Anderson sailed schooners out of Stonington, Camden, and Rockland in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

1pm - Model Pumpkin Boat Competition II Bring your model pumpkin boat to compete in our second annual competition. $5 registration fee, free museum admission with model pumpkin boat entry.

See details below.

2pm-5pm - Scarecrow Vignette Building  Help museum staff & volunteers create this year's Fling Into Fall scarecrow vignette to be entered into the scarecrow competition on October 12th.

Model Pumpkin Boat Competition II Details:
In the second year of this event, we challenge you to make a model boat out of a Pumpkin! Bring your model pumpkin boat to the Penobscot Marine Museum on Saturday October 6th to compete. PMM staff will judge entries using a point system based on size, composition, creative use of pumpkin, overall look, ability to float, and speed. The winner will receive 50% of the proceeds and the other 50% will go to the Penobscot Marine Museum to help support programming like this!

Rules & Regulations
* A member of the gourd family (pumpkin, squash, cucumber, zucchini, melon, etc.) must be a key component of the model boat
* Must float
* Must be able to move from A to B without human contact (all boats will be timed to travel across our small pool)
* Must be under 12" tall by 12" wide by 12" deep
* All boats must arrive before 1pm on Saturday, October 5th. Judging begins at 1pm.

To register, call 207-548-2529 or email [email protected].

Local textile artists Betsy Alspach and Susan Hill contributed their expertise to help create "Handmade Highlights at the Penobscot Marine Museum." This booklet offers museum visitors several options for finding items made by hand at PMM. It also includes interesting fabrication details and stories and background information that go along with the objects. It's an exciting new way to see PMM, whether you're a first time visitor or you come often. Booklets are available to download or pick up at PMM or Fiber College at Searsport Shores Campground. Special thanks to summer intern Genevieve Schortz for her contributions to this project. You can access a printable version of the booklet here.

Schedule your PMM Field Trip today!

We offer a variety of staff-led or

self-guided field trip options. Field

Trips can be scheduled any time of the year, subject to availability. Get more out of your field trip with more exhibits open during our regular season (Memorial Day through the 3rd weekend in October) PLUS enjoy special additional activities if you schedule during our Field Trip Weeks May 12th-22nd, 2020! Thanks to support from friends of the Penobscot Marine Museum, a limited number of transportation scholarships are available for the 2019-20 school year. Find out more here and contact our Education Director Jeana Ganskop at  [email protected] or 207-548-2529 for questions or to schedule!

Maine Marine Fare

Saturday, September 28

9:00am to 4:00pm

Registration Deadline: Monday, September 16

For more information or to register call 207-548-2529 or click here.

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