YORK, Maine — The Museums of Old York has canceled one of its events celebrating the theme “our heritage on the water” due to lack of registrants.
A week and a half before the War of 1812 Bicentennial River Regatta, “we have no one signed up,” Zoe Keefer-Norris said Tuesday. Keefer-Norris is the museum’s education director. Without much of a budget for publicity, she said, “I just think we’re not very good at getting the word out. Those who had heard about it were excited. I think it’s possible we might want to try it next year.”
The War of 1812 Bicentennial River Regatta on the York River invited competition among non-motorized craft such as kayaks, canoes, rafts and inner tubes, for the best battle ready and historically accurate display. The registration of $20 per adult included a barbecue at the end of the regatta at the Elizabeth Perkins House at Sewall’s Bridge.
The museum is holding numerous other events celebrating the working waterfront, including buoy painting, a concert on the John Hancock Wharf and a talk on pirates and privateers.
Events
- Through Aug. 19: An exhibition of work by New England artists at the George Marshall Store.
- Saturday, July 28, 2-4 p.m.: Family buoy painting and a lobster harvest demonstration, John Hancock Wharf. The price is $20 per family. Register at education@oldyork.org.
- Saturday, July 28, 4 p.m.: “Looking Astern: An Artist’s View of Maine’s Working Waterfront,” a talk by artist Loretta Krupinski on her work creating paintings from historical photographs, York Public Library. Free.
- Wednesday, Aug. 1, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Mary Ann Esposito “Ciao Italia!” luncheon, talk and cookbook signing, Dockside Restaurant. The price of $60 includes Museums of Old York Decorator Show House ticket.
- Wednesday, Aug. 1, 7 p.m.: “The Traditional Footpaths of York — Our Connection to the Waterfront.” Local historians Tad Baker and Bob Gordon and others discuss the history of the Cliff Walk, the Fisherman’s Walk and other lesser-known footpaths, Parsons Center. Refreshments served; a suggested $5 donation.
- Thursday, Aug. 2: “Under the Shoals Exhibit” at Discover Portsmouth Center and 5:30 p.m. sunset cruise on the Gundalow Piscataqua with historian/author Dennis Robinson, Portsmouth. The price of $60 includes Museums of Old York Decorator Show House ticket.
- Tuesday, Aug. 7, 6 p.m.: Professor Thaddeus Lyford will discuss “Pirates and Privateers: Challenges to Maine Mariners in the Early 19th Century,” Parsons Center. The suggested donation is $5.
- Wednesday, Aug. 8, 11:30 to 1 p.m.: Designer discussion panel and luncheon, York Harbor Reading Room. The price of $60 includes Museums of Old York Decorator Show House ticket.
- Thursday, Aug. 9, 6 to 8:30 p.m.: “Antiques and Today’s Design Aesthetic” with designer Valerie Jorgensen, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the Stage Neck Inn. The price of $60 includes Museums of Old York Decorator Show House ticket.
- Saturday, Aug. 11, 4 p.m.: Concert on the wharf with Harvey Reid, John Hancock Wharf. Bring a chair or blanket; suggested $5 donation.
- Monday, Aug. 13, 5:30 p.m.: Elizabeth Perkins Fellows Symposium exhibit, John Hancock Warehouse. Free.
- Friday, Aug. 17, 6 p.m.: Seafood tavern dinner, 6 p.m., Parsons Education Center. This is a BYOB event. The price is $35, or $30 for museum members. Register early, as seats fill fast.
- Saturday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Native American canoe encampment depicting 1600s to early 1700s camp with interpreters Ken Hamilton and Jaime Foote, Parsons Center. Free with museum admission.
- Tuesday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m.: “Waterfront Habitat and the Wildlife that Live There,” with staff and wildlife ambassadors from the Center for Wildlife, Parsons Center. The suggested donation of $5 goes to the Center for Wildlife.
The Parsons Education Center is located at 6 Lindsay Road in York. The John Hancock Warehouse and George Marshall Store are at 140 Lindsay Road. For information, call (207) 363-4974. To order tickets online, visit www.oldyork.org.
1812 News 