Spring Cleaning: The Amistad Sheds Its Winter Coat

There’s a sure sign of spring at Mystic Seaport Museum, and it involves a lot of teamwork and heavy lifting. This week, staff and dedicated volunteers from Discovering Amistad (DA) gathered at the shipyard to officially "uncover" the schooner, removing the massive protective shrink-wrap and frames that shielded the vessel through the Connecticut winter.

The atmosphere was high-energy as the team worked in tandem to peel back the layers, revealing the Amistad’s iconic black hull and gold bowsprit eagle. This annual tradition is more than just maintenance—it’s the kickoff for a season of educational programming and ship visits centered on social justice and freedom.

Want to help? Discovering Amistad is always looking for volunteers to assist with ship maintenance and educational outreach. It’s a great way to get your hands salty while supporting a vital piece of living history. Contact us here.