About This Event
Step aboard the storied schooner BOWDOIN with Captain Graham McKay for an evening of Arctic adventure, history, and firsthand storytelling. Built in 1921 for legendary explorer Donald MacMillan, BOWDOIN has spent over a century navigating some of the world’s most formidable waters. In 2024, after nearly two decades away from the far north, the vessel returned to the Arctic, sailing to the 70th parallel along Greenland’s rugged west coast. McKay, a seasoned tall ship captain and master boatbuilder, will share his experiences steering through towering icebergs and witnessing scenes where “ice mast high came floating by as green as emerald.”
Graham McKay is the director and master boatbuilder at Lowell’s Boat Shop, a working museum located in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Lowell’s Boat Shop was founded in 1793 on the banks of the Merrimack River and is the birthplace of the dory. Today, Lowell’s is a National Historic Landmark and America’s oldest operating boat shop.
Prior to coming to Lowell’s Boat Shop, Graham was (and still is occasionally) a tall ship captain. He has also spent time as a commercial diver, commercial fisherman, and a fisheries scientist. McKay has a master’s degree in Maritime History and Archaeology from the University of Bristol, in England and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard College. He currently serves on the Massachusetts state board of Underwater Archeological Resources.
The Herreshoff Marine Museum's Annual Lecture Series features top authors, sailors, historians, and experts, offering insights amidst historic Herreshoff boats and the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.
Lectures are available in-person or virtually on Zoom—be sure to check your ticket type when purchasing. Online sales for in-person tickets close 2 hours before the event, though tickets may still be available at the door unless stated otherwise. Your ticket grants access to the lecture on the specified date and time, either in person or online.
While we aim to provide recordings to ticket holders, availability is not guaranteed. If available, recordings are typically shared 3–5 weeks after the event.
Tickets are non-refundable but transferable up to one week before the event. No physical tickets are issued; check-in is done by last name upon arrival.
Museum Members enjoy exclusive discounts on lecture tickets. Not a member yet? Join today at herreshoff.org/support and start saving!
The Herreshoff Lecture Series is Proudly Sponsored by: American Cruise Lines, BankNewport, Bristol Marine, Gowrie Group, Points East Magazine, Project Bluewater Racing, BayCoast Bank and Safe Harbor.
About This Event
Step aboard the storied schooner BOWDOIN with Captain Graham McKay for an evening of Arctic adventure, history, and firsthand storytelling. Built in 1921 for legendary explorer Donald MacMillan, BOWDOIN has spent over a century navigating some of the world’s most formidable waters. In 2024, after nearly two decades away from the far north, the vessel returned to the Arctic, sailing to the 70th parallel along Greenland’s rugged west coast. McKay, a seasoned tall ship captain and master boatbuilder, will share his experiences steering through towering icebergs and witnessing scenes where “ice mast high came floating by as green as emerald.”
Graham McKay is the director and master boatbuilder at Lowell’s Boat Shop, a working museum located in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Lowell’s Boat Shop was founded in 1793 on the banks of the Merrimack River and is the birthplace of the dory. Today, Lowell’s is a National Historic Landmark and America’s oldest operating boat shop.
Prior to coming to Lowell’s Boat Shop, Graham was (and still is occasionally) a tall ship captain. He has also spent time as a commercial diver, commercial fisherman, and a fisheries scientist. McKay has a master’s degree in Maritime History and Archaeology from the University of Bristol, in England and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard College. He currently serves on the Massachusetts state board of Underwater Archeological Resources.
The Herreshoff Marine Museum's Annual Lecture Series features top authors, sailors, historians, and experts, offering insights amidst historic Herreshoff boats and the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.
Lectures are available in-person or virtually on Zoom—be sure to check your ticket type when purchasing. Online sales for in-person tickets close 2 hours before the event, though tickets may still be available at the door unless stated otherwise. Your ticket grants access to the lecture on the specified date and time, either in person or online.
While we aim to provide recordings to ticket holders, availability is not guaranteed. If available, recordings are typically shared 3–5 weeks after the event.
Tickets are non-refundable but transferable up to one week before the event. No physical tickets are issued; check-in is done by last name upon arrival.
Museum Members enjoy exclusive discounts on lecture tickets. Not a member yet? Join today at herreshoff.org/support and start saving!
The Herreshoff Lecture Series is Proudly Sponsored by: American Cruise Lines, BankNewport, Bristol Marine, Gowrie Group, Points East Magazine, Project Bluewater Racing, BayCoast Bank and Safe Harbor.