In the Heart of the Sea Community Reading
Take a step back in time to learn about whaling history in this immersive weekend experience centered around the story of the whaleship Essex.
The main event will be a community read-through of Nathaniel Philbrick’s book In the Heart of the Sea, with engaging activities sprinkled throughout, including hands-on activities, collections object viewing, a sea shanty concert, chowder dinner, trivia, and more.
Hourly Schedule
Saturday, March 8
- 10 am - 12 pm
- Whaling Museum
- Reading: preface & Chapter 1
- 12 pm - 1 pm
- Whaling Museum
- Activity Stations – a selection of hands on activities including a book discussion, crafts, and an artifact table
- 2 pm - 4 pm
- Whaling Museum
- Reading: Chapters 2-4
- 4 pm - 4:30 pm
- Whaling Museum
- Sea Shanty Concert with Andre Quackenbush & Friends
- 5 pm - 6 pm
- Whaling Museum
- Reading: Chapters 5 & 6
- 6 pm - 6:30 pm
- Whaling Museum
- Dinner courtesy of Brotherhood of Thieves
- 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Whaling Museum
- Reading: Chapters 7 & 8
- 8 pm - 9 pm
- Atheneum Great Hall
- Trivia
- 9 pm - 10 pm
- Atheneum Great Hall
- Reading: Chapters 9 & 10
Sunday, March 9
- 10 am - 12 pm
- Whaling Museum
- Reading: Chapters 11 & 12
- 12 pm - 1 pm
- Whaling Museum
- Q&A with Nathaniel Philbrick, Niles Parker, and Michael Harrison
- 2 pm - 4 pm
- Atheneum Great Hall
- Reading: epilogue
- 5 pm - 7 pm
- Dreamland Theater
- Film Screening*
- 7 pm - 8 pm
- Dreamland Theater
- Closing Reception