What was life like for sailors in the 1800s? Life on board a ship was difficult and physically exhausting. They slept in cramped, unsanitary spaces, ate food that had questionable nutritional value, and had few avenues for recreation. Many sailors, however, kept souvenirs as mementos of their arduous times at sea. These included letters, poems, utensils, badges, uniform items, rope knots, pipes, and other articles found on the ship.
Join us to learn about the life of a sailor during the Age of Sail, then use your creativity to make a shadowbox and put an assortment of sailor mementos inside it. You can even write a short poem about a sailor’s life at sea.
This free program is recommended for children ages 6 through 12 and is limited to 30 participants. Early registration is recommended. All materials will be provided, and the workshop will be led by a museum educator.
Note: Due to security requirements at the Washington Navy Yard, you will need to be escorted onto the base. If taking metro, get on the Green Line and exit the Navy Yard/Ballpark stop, then walk to the entrance at 11th and O Street SE (about 15 minutes). Plan to arrive at the entrance gate by 10am. Please be prompt. A museum educator will be at the entrance gate to bring you onto the base and to the museum (Bldg. 76). The last gate pickup will occur at 10:20 PM. If you need to contact the museum on the day of the program, call our front desk at 202.685.0589
Parking Option: Harris Teeters underground parking garage (401 M Street SE). Parking is free for 90 minutes. Once you park, you will need to go into the store and validate your ticket. After validating your ticket, exit the store and walk to the Navy Yard entrance at 11th and O Street SE. Keep your ticket. You will need it to exit the garage.
Register for this program through Eventbrite or email Paul Perry at paul.h.perry4,civ@us.navy.mil
Life of Sailor Shadowbox
