Middlesex Whaleboat to make a splash this summer

To help buoy the community’s spirit and lend a hand to local establishments navigating during a turbulent time, the Museum of Darien (formerly the Darien Historical Society) is joining forces with town organizations and businesses to celebrate the town’s 200th birthday this summer with a symbol loaded to the gills with Darien’s proud history —the Whaleboat Middlesex.

While the COVID-19 crisis has taken the wind out of the sails of many community celebrations, the 24-foot whaleboat replica is a safe way for residents to celebrate the town’s history and spirit. The boat will be featured in various Darien locations throughout the summer starting this Saturday, July 11, and residents will be able to participate in contests on social media with a chance to win prizes.

“We could all use a boost right now with a local project that reminds people of all ages about the great community we live in. We’re hoping the Middlesex will serve as a reminder of Darien’s proud Revolutionary past, and also our community’s resiliency,” said Robert J. Pascal, Jr., president of the museum’s board of directors.

Intending to educate the community about the whaleboat wars on Long Island Sound during the Revolution, the Society led a community-wide effort to build the boat in the 1970s, and eventually donated it to the Maritime Center, where it had been displayed for years outdoors. After several decades away and a year-long restoration project, the whaleboat has been refurbished, thanks to a generous $14,000 grant from The Darien Foundation.

“There is a real spirit of community in the story of the Middlesex Whaleboat, which brought the town together for a team effort in 1976,” said Sarah Woodberry, executive director of The Darien Foundation. “Now the Middlesex will help bring our neighbors and businesses together again as we all reconnect over the summer.”

This summer, the boat will appear at an undisclosed town location once every week starting on July 11. Hints about the boat’s location will be posted on the MoD’s website and social media pages of MoD, The Darien Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce.

Residents are encouraged to locate the boat at its newest location, take a selfie, and post to the Museum of Darien’s Facebook page. Prizes will be announced on Friday morning for the most original whaleboat post of the week, and the first post holding up a bag or purchased item from the local retailer featured in that week’s contest. At the end of the season, there will be prizes for the best photo of the boat, for the most active business in the contest, and for the most active participants.

Visit DarienTimes.com for clues as to where to look for the boat.

Established in 1953 as the Darien Historical Society, the Museum of Darien welcomes all ages to experience and discover the crafted objects, narratives and works of art that have shaped this community. From its earliest beginnings as Middlesex Parish, a struggling farm community on the shores of Long Island Sound, to the prosperous community we know today — we tell Darien’s story.

More info: museumofdarien.org or 203-6559233

The Darien Foundation is an independent, community-based, 501(c)(3) public charity. Since 1998, The Darien Foundation has awarded more than $4.5 million in grants for technology and capital initiatives which create opportunity for Darien’s youth, support our town’s safety and security services, and enhance the overall quality of life in Darien.Most recently, The Darien Foundation has awarded grants to Corbin Cares, DAF Media, The Darien Nature Center, the Darien Police Department, Darien TV79, The Depot Youth Center, The Mather Homestead, the Museum of Darien, and Person-to-Person. For more information, visit: darienfoundation.org