What happens when a zoologist/biologist applies his powers of observation for studying animals to the study of boats? For Alfred Goldsborough Mayor it meant producing a body of work that has given researchers and museums some of the best historic documentation available on the construction of a variety of Pacific island sailing canoes.

James McNeill Whistler's Naval Review Etchings of 1887, their influences, and imperial implications.

In this special, in-depth edition of Beyond the Frame, we explore the world of oysters - past and present. Two 1907 paintings by Clifford Warren Ashley highlight oyster dredging and replanting from the skipjack Mattie Flavell as it was done over 115 years ago. While exploring these works, the author, Kyra Duffley, worked with both oyster farmers and restoration specialists in  our world today to show the full-circle story of oystering. Read the full blog to learn about the mariners who come together in the name of the oyster.

Oil reservoirs are a tool commonly found on USS Monitor‘s engine. Also known as an oil cup or lubricating cup, they were used on steam engines to keep valves and levers constantly lubricated.

In this blog post we’ll continue the discussion about one of USS Monitor’s gun cleaning tools, and the conservation treatment it has undergone.

Welcome to the second installment of our miniseries on Nishimura 3746, a Japanese midget submarine. We’re deep diving into an on-going project to resupport this one-of-a-kind vessel.

The small craft collection contains a diverse variety of vessels ranging in size, shape, function, and source culture. Because the Museum’s small craft originate from such a variety of contexts, each boat comes to the Museum with its own quirks and challenges resulting from its history of use. To get a better understanding of the collection, its condition issues, and its needs, it is necessary to evaluate each small craft, one-by-one.