hyperboreantom

Clio’s Armada: Mi’kmaq birch bark canoes and Todd Labrador

Two of my longed for Canadian pilgrimages (besides York Factory NHS!) is the Canadian Canoe Museum and Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. The former because its obvious connection to my passions of fur trade history and boat history, and the latter because of how much they value Indigenous interpretation and crafts. And thatContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Mi’kmaq birch bark canoes and Todd Labrador”

Steal this Idea: Book Buying Tips

Museums must have books for sale. It is important that your museum be a jumping off point on someone’s learning journey. But books are rarely good sellers at a museum gift shop. So why do we see so few museums use the same techniques a good bookstore does in highlighting its selections with messages fromContinue reading “Steal this Idea: Book Buying Tips”

Clio’s Armada: The Endeavour and the Australian National Maritime Museum

I was lucky enough to visit Sydney last year (2023) and even more lucky to experience the Australian National Maritime Museum (stupendous) and its exhibit of the replica (or simulacrum, if you prefer) of His Majesty’s Barque, Endeavour, the famous ship of Captain Cook. It was a stunning exhibition and the volunteer tour guide wasContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: The Endeavour and the Australian National Maritime Museum”

Clio’s Armada: The Dehcho Moosehide Boat and the Nahanni River

At the time of the build, a moosehide boat hadn’t been seen on the Nahanni in over a hundred years. The trade was not entirely lost, but the Dehcho First Nations were looking for a project that would share those skills and commemorate their past. Herb Norwegian was the visionary behind the project, but hisContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: The Dehcho Moosehide Boat and the Nahanni River”

Clio’s Armada: The Golden Hinde in London

There are not many places in the world where a full-sized galleon replica can survive (and even thrive) as a museum ship. The Golden Hinde replica is that ship and London is that place. Many ordinary citizens, let alone history enthusiasts, don’t need to be told who Sir Francis Drake was (athough they might notContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: The Golden Hinde in London”

Clio’s Armada: Hōkūleʻa and the Polynesian Voyaging Society

I’ve tried hard to devote serious attention in this blog to Indigenous boatbuilding and replica craft. And honestly, it hasn’t been difficult. Maritime Indigenous nations around the world have been using heritage boatbuilding as a celebration, as a chance to share skills, and sometimes to rediscover lost or endangered arts. One of the stellar examplesContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Hōkūleʻa and the Polynesian Voyaging Society”

Clio’s Armada: The R. Tucker Thompson and Sail Training for Youth

In 2023 I got to co-create and install an exhibition on the R. Tucker Thompson, which I wanted to call “Dreamwrights” (!) but was eventually convinced to title “Tall Ship, Big Dreams: The Story of the R. Tucker Thompson”. Not only was the exhibition a labour of love, but it was also the satisfactory conclusionContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: The R. Tucker Thompson and Sail Training for Youth”

New History Talk: Heritage Boatbuilding Projects Around the World

Based on our popular blog series, Tom has prepared a new talk discussing heritage boatbuilding projects around the world. Boaties, museum professionals, sailors, and other historiophiles will find interesting stories, analysis, and opportunities to discuss CLIO’S ARMADA: Heritage Boat-Building Projects Around the World. Length: 1 hour (45 minutes plus discussion time).Recommended audience: 3-30 personsDelivered via:Continue reading “New History Talk: Heritage Boatbuilding Projects Around the World”

Clio’s Armada: Moomat Ahiko and traditional Indigenous planked canoes

The Ti’at Society of California built Moomat Ahiko, a ti’at canoe in the 1990s in the traditional manner of Indigenous peoples of what is now California. This type of vessel is unique in North America, having been called “…the single most technologically complex watercraft built in North America…” I saw a short documentary about thisContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Moomat Ahiko and traditional Indigenous planked canoes”

Clio’s Armada: The Nonsuch replica and the Manitoba Museum

In 1968 the Nonsuch replica ketch was built, commemorating the 300th anniversary of its voyage and in advance of the tercentenary in 1970 of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s charter. Few corporations have had such a tremendous impact, for good and for ill, on modern Canada (and areas of the U.S.) as the Hudson’s Bay Company.Continue reading “Clio’s Armada: The Nonsuch replica and the Manitoba Museum”