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Exploring the "Monsters & Mermaids" Exhibition

The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum opened in 1942 to share, educate, and preserve Long Island’s rich whaling history. The “Monsters & Mermaids” exhibition highlights how larger-than-life sea legends and folklore impact our lives.

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Artist Cindy Pease Roe created a dramatic squid sculpture for the exhibit. 

As you navigate the quaint setting, the museum rooms are lined with seafaring items and scrimshaw. The exhibition curates the feel of a magical underwater realm with mermaid visuals, sea monster games, mermaid trivia, and a giant kraken squid sculpture crafted out of ocean debris that hangs overhead.

My daughter loved a vividly colored, enchanting wooden mermaid tail displayed next to the museum’s fully-equipped, centerpiece 30-foot whaling boat. The new exhibition examines the influence of mermaids in everything from movie clips to Barbie dolls to the famous Starbucks logo.

The museum often holds family events like its recent "Monsters & Mermaids Family Bash," which welcomed kids to attend in costume, make monster slime, get glitter tattoos, meet a mermaid, and more. Museum educators at the event discussed deep sea creatures, kraken, and merpeople as my kids listened in amazement. 

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The exhibit's crafting stations let kids create colorful sea creatures.

Monsters & Mermaids Hands-on Fun 

Kids and adults alike can channel their inner artist and take a turn at the exhibition’s drawing station, sketching what they imagine sea monsters and mermaids may look like. The mythic craft stations were a big hit with my little artists, who love to create art.

During a visit, the museum’s workshop will have six self-serve mythic craft tables for kids to enjoy free with museum admission. My kids made mermaid and sea monster hats and created squid and mermaid puppets. 

The Secret Sirens scavenger hunt challenges kids to find hidden merfolk tails to score a prize during their visit. While kids explore, they can pretend to go below deck in the museum’s permanent exhibit and experience a ship’s sleeping quarters and a historic general store.

The new exhibition also aims to help educate kids on how they can help do their part in securing the ocean and sea life’s future through conservation. 

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There's a lot to learn about the folklore of sea serpents, mermaids, and dragons. 

Upcoming Events, Workshops, and More at the Whaling Museum

The museum holds workshops, special family events, and drop-in craft programs for kids and adults throughout the year. This exhibition will have a two-year run at the museum. The museum also has programs designed for school field trips, homeschooling, and scouts.

Check the museum's website and social media for upcoming events like the Harbor Haunts Walking Tour and Lights Out @ The Museum in October. There is also a small museum store with nautical-themed toys, jewelry, books, and other items. 

Know Before You Go: The Whaling Museum in Cold Spring Harbor

• The Whaling Museum & Education Center is open Thursday through Sunday, 11am-4pm. It's also open on select holidays like Columbus Day and Veterans Day. 
• Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and kids. Active military and children aged three and younger are FREE. The museum also offers family memberships. 
• There is no parking on site, but parking is available on the street near the museum and at Cold Spring Harbor's free town lot. 
• The museum doesn't have food, so plan to eat before your visit.
• A multi-stall, handicap-accessible bathroom is available on the first floor.
• There is a small museum store with nautical-themed toys, jewelry, books, and more. 
• If you have time after your museum visit, take a walk with the family or grab a bite to eat in the historic village of Cold Spring Harbor. 

Photos by the author