BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Henry L. Ferguson Museum - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Henry L. Ferguson Museum REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260510T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260510T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260326T204650Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T202424Z UID:38336-1778428800-1778432400@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:From Declines to Recovery: A Half Century of Changes in Migratory Songbird Abundance on Block Island DESCRIPTION:Join us for a VIRTUAL illustrated talk by DPNC Outreach Coordinator Lauren Michael\, who draws on more than 50 years of bird banding data from Block Island Banding Station – where each fall\, thousands of young songbirds pass through on their first migration south.\nThis talk explores the history of one of the longest running bird-banding stations in North America\, as well as how migratory songbird populations on Block Island have changed over time. By looking closely at long-term patterns\, we uncover a more nuanced—and more hopeful—story about migratory songbirds\, and what it may mean for their conservation today. \nWHEN: Sunday\, May 10\, 2026\nTIME: 4 p.m.\nPLACE: Virtual via zoom \nJoin Zoom WebinarLauren Michael is the Outreach Coordinator at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic\, CT. Before stepping into this role\, she spent most of her twenties crisscrossing North America as a field biologist\, studying a wide range of bird species — from songbirds and seabirds to the elusive rail. She received her MSc from the University of Rhode Island\, where she studied long-term trends in migratory songbirds on Block Island\, RI. Lauren earned a BA in Biology from Kenyon College in Gambier\, OH. \nAbove Myrtle Warbler photo by Bonello\, Jake\, Public Domain via FWS \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Song Sparrow\, photo by Ken Thomas\, Public domain\, via Wikimedia Commons\n \n \n \n \n \n Blue-headed Vireo\, photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren\, CC BY 2.0\, via Wikimedia Commons URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/from-declines-to-recovery-a-half-century-of-changes-in-migratory-songbird-abundance-on-block-island/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/yellow-rumped-warbler_usfws_Bonello_Jake.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260523T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260523T130000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260324T232208Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T162307Z UID:38265-1779534000-1779541200@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Gardening from the Ground Up: The Whys and Hows of Native Plants DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum to explore the heart of our ecosystem and discover how native plants play a thrilling role in sustaining our food chain and environment on Fishers Island. Our lineup of peers and professionals will unveil the secrets of native gardening – and its powerful impact on biodiversity.\nFeaturing the insightful Emily Baiden from the Wild Seed Project\, local legends Diana Fiske and Dianne Crary\, and the dynamic Maggie Redfern from the CT College Arboretum. Their stories and expertise will open your eyes to the wonders of our local flora and fauna\, offering you fresh\, actionable tips for incorporating these natural treasures into your own gardening projects! Learn how embracing native plants can transform your garden into a vibrant habitat that supports local wildlife\, conserves water\, and minimizes the need for harmful chemicals. Say goodbye to the time and effort spent on non-native species that struggle in our climate! \nAfter a series of lightning talks that are sure to spark your curiosity\, we’ll open the floor for a lively Q&A session! And don’t miss the chance to mingle and celebrate with fellow nature enthusiasts at our reception afterward. Enjoy delicious refreshments and explore the plant sale showcasing a colorful array of native species waiting to enhance your garden. But that’s not all—Maggie will guide a delightful excursion into the HLFM Land Trust Wildlife Sanctuary\, showcasing the beautiful trees she highlights in her talk. Come join the fun! \nWhen: Saturday\, May 23\, 2026\nTime: 11 am (Short Talks)\, 12 pm (Reception & Plant Sale)\nPlace: At the Museum\, second floor and virtual\, via zoom \nDon’t miss this chance to make a positive impact on our ecosystem through gardening! Program is free but space is limited\, so be sure to reserve your spot today. \nRegister Today!This event is organized by the Fishers Island Seagrass Management Coalition and sponsored by the Fishers Island Conservancy and the Henry L. Ferguson Museum. \nPhotos from 2025 Event: Right Place\, Right Plant – Native Plants and Practical Uses URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/gardening-from-the-ground-up-the-whys-and-hows-of-native-plants/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/iSt-835524206-native-plants.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260614T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260614T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260324T152309Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T191751Z UID:38240-1781452800-1781456400@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Intro to Colored Pencil Botanical Drawing DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for an Introduction to Colored Pencil Botanical Drawing class by art educator Mary Barresi.\nWhen: Sunday\, June 14\, 2026\nTime: 4-5 pm\nPlace: In-person only. At the Museum\, 2nd floor \nThis class begins with practicing “learning to see” exercises\, and includes a demonstration of the unique characteristics of Prismacolor color pencils. Participants will begin their individual botanical drawings\, which they can complete on their own. All drawing and reference materials will be provided. \nProgram is free but registration is requested. Please RSVP to Jessica: jnejame@fergusonmuseum.org. \nMary Barresi is an art educator and administrator\, experienced in a wide variety of art media. Her preferred focus being both graphite and color pencil nature studies. She has had her work displayed in numerous art exhibitions throughout her career. Mary assisted her advanced drawing students with preparing their college portfolios and continues to teach drawing skills to all ages. URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/intro-to-colored-pencil-botanical-drawing/ CATEGORIES:Class,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mary-Barresi_colored_pencil_drawings.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260627T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260627T190000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260115T141035Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T162934Z UID:37611-1782579600-1782586800@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:2026 Annual Exhibitions Opening Reception DESCRIPTION:The Museum will open for the season Saturday\, June 27\, 2026. \nAll are invited to come view the new exhibits and enjoy the opening reception. \nRefreshments will be served on the deck\, weather permitting\, or inside\, if need be. \n1st & 2nd Floor Main Galleries \nMatt Kaelin\nPhotographs of Year Round Community 2016-2023\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Luke with his dog\n \n \n \n \n \n Mary and John Ski 2018\n \n \n\n1st Floor Side Gallery \nSukey Bryan\nBrickyard Marsh Mono Prints\nBrickyard Marsh 3 Monotype \n2nd Floor Side Gallery \nIPP\nMurals Gallery\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rainbow mural\n \n \n \n \n \n Sarah Upson with IPP kids URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/2026-annual-exhibitions-opening-reception/ CATEGORIES:Museum Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Museum-renderingbadge-logo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260628T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260628T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260312T185851Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T160759Z UID:38116-1782662400-1782666000@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Return to the Sky: The Reintroduction of the Bald Eagle DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for an illustrated talk by Tina Morris\, one of the first women to engage in a raptor reintroduction program.\nIn 1976\, as the bald eagle was facing extinction in the continental U.S.\, Tina was beginning her graduate work at Cornell University. By luck and circumstance\, she was selected to reintroduce the species into New York state – in the hope that eagles could repopulate eastern North America. Young\, female\, with no experience\, she faced the challenges of saving this iconic bird while striving for acceptance in the unfamiliar male-dominated world of raptor biology. Playing mother to seven eagles forced her to transcend the isolation and tedium of field research to rescue an endangered species while in turn rescuing herself. Her remarkable story is as much about the human spirit as it is about birds of prey. \nWHEN: Sunday\, June 28\, 2026\nTIME: 4 p.m.\nPLACE: In person at the Museum and virtual via zoom\nReception and book signing to follow. \nJoin Zoom WebinarTina Morris completed her graduate work in ornithology and wildlife biology at Cornell in 1978\, writing her thesis on the adaptations of hacking techniques to reintroduce bald eagles. Following her studies at Cornell\, she worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy for several years\, focusing on endangered species and critical habitat conservation\, before embarking on a 23-year career teaching English and biology. Since her retirement in 2020\, she has devoted her time to her own writing\, especially creative non-fiction with a science or nature focus. Thirty years ago\, with four children in tow\, Tina and her husband bought a farm in northern Massachusetts\, which they manage as a wildlife sanctuary\, promoting biodiversity and habitat protection for species in decline. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Eagle in flight USFWS natdiglib16081\n \n \n\nJoin from PC\, Mac\, iPad\, or Android:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/86040872787 \nPhone one-tap:\n+16699009128\,\,86040872787# US (San Jose)\n+16694449171\,\,86040872787# US \nJoin via audio:\n+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)\n+1 669 444 9171 US\n+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\n+1 719 359 4580 US\n+1 253 205 0468 US\n+1 689 278 1000 US\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n+1 305 224 1968 US\n+1 309 205 3325 US\n+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n+1 360 209 5623 US\n+1 386 347 5053 US\n+1 507 473 4847 US\n+1 564 217 2000 US\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 646 931 3860 US\nWebinar ID: 860 4087 2787\nInternational numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kClM0NPw3 URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/return-to-the-sky-the-reintroduction-of-the-bald-eagle/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tina_Morris_wEagle004.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260705T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260705T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260324T161045Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T164221Z UID:38255-1783267200-1783270800@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Intro to Cyanotypes DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for an Introduction to Cyanotypes – a camera-less photography workshop by photographer Emily Barresi.\nWhen: Sunday\, July 5\, 2026\nTime: 4-5 pm\nPlace: At the Museum\, 2nd floor \nLearn about one of the earliest forms of photography in this hands-on\, nature-centered workshop. Emily Barresi will guide students through the unique camera-less process of Cyanotypes – which involves laying objects on paper coated with a solution before exposing it to UV light. Students will bring home 2-3 original artworks on paper; great for adults and children alike! The Museum will provide materials\, though participants are welcome to bring any negatives or personal items they would like to create with during the course. \nProgram is free but registration is requested. Please RSVP to Jessica: jnejame@fergusonmuseum.org. \nEmily Barresi is a photographer and independent filmmaker from Connecticut. Her photographs and short films search for magic and meaning in suburban American spaces. She holds an MFA from Yale University and has exhibited both nationally and internationally. She currently lives and works in New London\, where she continues to observe and imagine technicolor futures for everyone. \nPHOTO CREDIT: Anna Atkins cyanotypes\, (wikimedia commons) Courtesy of The New York Public Library www.nypl.org URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/intro-to-cyanotypes/ CATEGORIES:Class,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Anna_Atkins_cyanotypes.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260708T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260708T150000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260325T111556Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T111556Z UID:38291-1783519200-1783522800@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Awesome Amphibians DESCRIPTION:We love our slimy friends!\nLearn what amphibians are\, meet live frogs\, and find out why amphibians are so important to the environment. \nWHEN: Wednesday\, July 8\, 2026\nTIME: 2 to 3 p.m.\nLOCATION: In person at the Museum \nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.\nSuggested donation $10.\n \nAll Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.\nAttendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.\nPlease phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org\n(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s). URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/awesome-amphibians-3/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DPNC-frog-hopping.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260712T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260712T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260408T162641Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T162937Z UID:38487-1783872000-1783875600@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:The Once and Future Osprey DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for an illustrated talk by Dr. Paul Spitzer on the rise of osprey populations over the past 70 years and their potential fall due to menhaden shortage.\nThis talk is presented by the ornithologist who led the campaign to restore ospreys in the northeast in the 1960s and 1970s. \nWhen: Sunday\, July 12\, 2026\nTime: 4 pm\nPlace: In person at the Museum\, 2nd floor and virtual via zoom\nReception to follow. \nEcologist Paul Randolph Spitzer has a lifelong love affair with the East Coast of North America.  His scientific studies began with failing Ospreys in 1968\, when they were severely impacted by DDT in some areas.  He was then a protégé of bird-people Roger and Barbara Peterson\, and a biology student at CT’s Wesleyan U.  DDT’s destruction of bird life\, reported by Rachel Carson in “Silent Spring”\, demanded more evidence and proofs.  Thus Paul devoted his 1970’s decade to detailed Osprey biology studies\, for his Cornell U. doctorate.  He happily documented initial northeastern Osprey recovery\, NJ to MA\, as DDT passed out of ecosystems.  His PhD thesis predicted Ospreys’ subsequent success in many parts of the world.  Paul says: “That decade based at Cornell was the making of me as a scientist and a humanist”. \nIn the 1980’s\, between international conservation projects in India\, Central America\, and New Zealand\, Paul gradually made the Choptank River–on Maryland’s eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay–his home for life.  Chesapeake Osprey population studies anchored him here\, by our “Choptank Osprey Garden”.  Currently\, Chesapeake  Ospreys are under detailed study as bioindicators of their Menhaden prey base depletion. \nPaul is currently completing “Dark of the Loon”\, his ecologist’s memoir about three decades of nonbreeding Common Loon study\, 1988-2020\, along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.  He seeks a friendly editor and strong publisher for his book.  He can tell you about his long and happy boater’s life of Osprey and Loon study cruises. URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/the-once-and-future-osprey/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Osprey_Burton-Robert-H_USFWS.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T150000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260325T113345Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T113345Z UID:38293-1784124000-1784127600@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Every Seed Tells a Story! DESCRIPTION:From a tiny acorn to a towering tree\, seeds grow into the plants that create food and shelter for wildlife. Discover how seeds become habitat for owls\, hawks\, turtles\, and frog—and how animals help plants grow in return. Meet live animals\, explore the journey from seed to ecosystem\, and create a seed craft to help plant native habitat in your own community. \nWHEN: Wednesday\, July 15\, 2026\nTIME: 2 to 3 p.m.\nLOCATION: In person at the Museum \nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.\nSuggested donation $10.\n \nAll Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.\nAttendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.\nPlease phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org\n(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s). URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/every-seed-tells-a-story/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/iSt-2223489097-blueJay-wAcorn.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260719T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260719T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260212T105919Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T171855Z UID:37925-1784476800-1784480400@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:How Native American People Lived on Fishers Island DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for an illustrated talk with archaeologist John Pfeiffer who will give an overview of Fishers Island archaeology that focuses on the excavation of sites\, artifacts discovered\, and John’s interpretation of how Native American people lived on the Island. This talk is based on co-research during the 1980s and 1990s\, with Dr. Robert Funk of the New York State Museum – which began as a survey of what had been discovered earlier\, and evolved into a thorough study focusing on newly discovered sites\, as well as scientific excavations of some of the earlier known places where prehistoric materials had been found. Together\, the data generated a reasonable picture of how island resources were utilized by indigenous people and how the availability of such resources changed over time. Funk and Pfeiffer’s experience from mainland archaeological sites\, when compared to the discoveries on Fishers\, demonstrated a special island adaptation that permitted stable subsistence throughout the entire year – which was not always the pattern witnessed within inland sites\, and in some instances\, scarcity and famine had been revealed. \nWhen: Sunday\, July 19\, 2026\nTime: 4-5 pm\nPlace: At the Museum\, 2nd floor and virtual\, via zoom \nThe archaeological investigation of Fishers Island by Funk and Pfeiffer was guided by Charles Ferguson\, whose family had been residents for over a century. Charlie and his father\, Henry\, kept a watchful eye upon the discovery and recording of Native American artifacts found. A section of the H. L. Ferguson Museum was dedicated to their initial archaeological studies. Charlie’s daughter Marnie wrote a report that complemented their findings and the museum’s displays. \nDr. John Pfeiffer during the decade long archaeological investigation of Fishers Island (1986-1996). \nAbout John\nDr. Pfeiffer has lived in coastal Connecticut for his entire life and began his archaeological career at an early age\, working locally as a high school student.  Before entering college\, John worked in England as an archaeologist on Roman and Arthurian sites. He majored in Anthropology at the University of Connecticut\, then continued his anthropology and archaeology studies at Wesleyan University\, earning a master’s degree. He received his PhD in anthropology from the State University of New York at Albany.  There he met his mentor\, colleague\, and long-time friend Bob Funk who was the New York State Archaeologist. Together they worked on many sites throughout New York State and after a full day of excavation\, they would retire to a ping-pong table and play well into the night. On Fishers they were often joined by the field crew and their host\, Charlie Ferguson. \nThe above Mural of West Harbor was painted by former Museum president\, Charlie Ferguson. URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/how-native-american-people-lived-on-fishers-island/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HLFM_Native-American-WestHarbor-CBF.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260722T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260722T150000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260325T121640Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T121819Z UID:38298-1784728800-1784732400@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Hidden Creatures DESCRIPTION:Some animals are masters of staying out of sight! Discover hidden creatures who hide in plain sight\, come out only at night\, or live beneath our feet. We’ll meet real animal ambassadors and learn how their special adaptations help them survive sight unseen. \nWHEN: Wednesday\, July 22\, 2026\nTIME: 2 to 3 p.m.\nLOCATION: In person at the Museum \nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.\nSuggested donation $10.\n \nAll Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.\nAttendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.\nPlease phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org\n(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s). \nPHOTO CREDIT: Groundhog exiting burrow\, Amy Moore\, Some Rights Reserved URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/hidden-creatures/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Groundhog-exiting-burrow_Amy-Moore.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260726T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260726T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260316T224616Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T225810Z UID:38169-1785081600-1785085200@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Biography as Pilgrimage: On the Trail of Peter Matthiessen DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for an illustrated talk by author\, Lance Richardson\, who will discuss his eight-year undertaking — including a two-hundred mile trek in the Himalayas of Nepal — to write a biography of the twentieth century literary titan Peter Matthiessen\, a novelist\, naturalist\, and Zen roshi\, whose trailblazing work championed Native American rights and helped usher in the modern environmental movement.\nWHEN: Sunday\, July 26\, 2026\nTIME: 4-5 p.m.\nPLACE: In person at the Museum and virtual via zoom\nReception and book signing to follow. \nMatthiessen’s many books include travel classic The Snow Leopard\, and also Men’s Lives\, a moving account of the lives and struggles of East End Bonackers. He spent many childhood summers on Fishers Island. \nLance Richardson’s new book\, True Nature: The Pilgrimage of Peter Matthiessen\, was published in October 2025 to international acclaim. The Washington Post\, The New Yorker\, and Vogue named it one of the most notable books of the year. Richardson’s previous book\, House of Nutter: The Rebel Tailor of Savile Row\, was a New York Times Editors’ Choice and named one of the notable titles of 2018 by The Sunday Times\, The Mail on Sunday\, Esquire and the American Library Association. He has been awarded numerous awards and fellowships\, including a year-long residency at the New York Public Library’s Cullman Center. He currently teaches in the MFA Writing program at Bennington College\, Vermont. \nMatthiessen in the Himalayas photo by George Schaller \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Peter Matthiessen\n \n \n \n \n \n Matthiessen family off Fishers Island URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/biography-as-pilgrimage-on-the-trail-of-peter-matthiessen/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Matthiessen_in_Himalayas_Photo-by-George-Schaller.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260729T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260729T150000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260325T122521Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T122521Z UID:38302-1785333600-1785337200@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Amazing Owls DESCRIPTION:Meet DPNC’s ambassador owls and discover what makes these remarkable birds so unique! Learn about our native owl species and explore the incredible adaptations that help them thrive as nighttime hunters. Get hands-on with real owl artifacts\, then create your own owl craft to take home. \nWHEN: Wednesday\, July 29\, 2026\nTIME: 2 to 3 p.m.\nLOCATION: In person at the Museum \nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.\nSuggested donation $10.\n \nAll Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.\nAttendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.\nPlease phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org\n(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s). URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/amazing-owls/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/great-horned-owl-Jake-Bonello-usfws.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260802T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260802T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260316T133050Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T133050Z UID:38152-1785686400-1785690000@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Shorebirds of the Northeast: Success Stories and Species on the Precipice DESCRIPTION:Join us for an illustrated talk by Wildlife Biologist\, Maureen Durkin\, who will provide an introduction to shorebirds and their ecology – and explore what makes them unique and vulnerable in a changing world. This presentation will highlight some of the species that can be seen on our local beaches\, including both resident breeding species and Arctic-nesting migrants\, with a special focus on American oystercatchers and red knots.\nWhen: Sunday\, August 2\, 2026\nTime: 4-5 pm\nPlace: At the Museum\, 2nd floor and virtual\, via zoom\nReception to follow \nFor those of us who spend time on beaches\, marshes\, and coastlines of the northeast\, shorebirds are a familiar sight\, from tiny sandpipers to boisterous oystercatchers. However\, shorebirds are among the groups of birds undergoing the steepest declines\, as they face a myriad of threats in their breeding\, migration\, and wintering grounds. \nMaureen Durkin with juvenile oystercatcher \nMaureen Durkin is a Rhode Island-based Wildlife Biologist specializing in coastal birds and management of threatened and endangered species. She received her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College\, where she had some of her formative academic experiences in ecology in and around Long Island Sound. Maureen became fascinated by shorebirds while working field technician jobs around the Gulf of Mexico after college. She went on to receive her M.S. from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse\, NY\, conducting her research on the impacts of recreational disturbance to snowy plovers in the Florida Panhandle. She continued working in Florida for several more years through SUNY-ESF\, partnering with the National Park Service to conduct research to understand mortality risks and inform management of nesting shorebirds and terns. Maureen returned to New England in 2019\, as a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Rhode Island. She oversees the monitoring and management of piping plovers\, least terns\, and American oystercatchers across southern Rhode Island\, and works on a variety of projects related to coastal wildlife management. She also serves as the Piping Plover Recovery Lead for USFWS. \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n American oystercatcher with chick\, USFWS\n \n \n \n \n \n Red knots along Delaware Bay near Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge\, Gregory Breese\, USFWS URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/shorebirds-of-the-northeast-success-stories-and-species-on-the-precipice/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/american-oystercatcher-usfws.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260805T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260805T150000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260325T124426Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T124426Z UID:38304-1785938400-1785942000@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Super Animal Senses DESCRIPTION:Explore the incredible senses animals use to understand the world around them! Meet live animals and discover how sight\, sound\, smell\, and touch help our native animals find food\, avoid danger\, and survive in the wild. \nWHEN: Wednesday\, August 5\, 2026\nTIME: 2 to 3 p.m.\nLOCATION: In person at the Museum \nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.\nSuggested donation $10.\n \nAll Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.\nAttendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.\nPlease phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org\n(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s). \nPHOTO CREDIT: Black Racer snake\, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge\, USFWS URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/super-animal-senses/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/black-racer-snake-usfws.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260809T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260809T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260403T194221Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260406T135458Z UID:38419-1786291200-1786294800@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Seals and Society: Lessons on Conservation\, Resilience\, Research and Discovery DESCRIPTION:Join us for an illustrated talk by community scientist and conservationist Andrea Bogomolni\, who will be sharing insights into how we study seals\, what we are learning about their place in the greater ecosystem and what seals are telling us about ocean and human health – and our human connection.\nWhen: Sunday\, August 9\, 2026\nTime: 4-5 pm\nPlace: At the Museum\, 2nd floor and virtual\, via zoom\nReception to follow \nBetween 1880-1962\, gray and harbor seals were targeted in legal seal bounty hunts across Maine and Massachusetts due to a perceived competition with commercial fisheries. Following their extirpation 50 years ago\, legislative protections allowed seals to recolonize historical grounds along the New England coast. With this conservation success story\, conflict has re-emerged as seen in the numerous media articles reflecting a temperament beckoning to the past century\, with calls to cull the population and the spread of misinformation. While seals are endemic to the region\, the return of seals after decades of near-absence to New England has created a new ecological and psychological baseline for New Englanders where for three generations\, seals were rarely present. \nNow more than ever\, there is a need to understand the role seals play in our ecosystem and to understand their role as sentinel species. Through collaborative research and engagement\, much is being learned across the region. \nDr. Andrea Bogomolni (Dr. Dre) is a community scientist as well as many other “-ists”: a naturalist\, artist\, biologist and conservationist with a passion for the ocean. Working with a range of collaborators from scientists\, to fishermen and to artists\, she aims to understand not just seals\, but our human relationship with the natural world and ways we can help preserve\, protect and sustainably make use of the limited resources nature provides. She has an interdisciplinary skill-set in scientific research\, education and outreach. Her Bachelor’s degrees are in studio art and wildlife\, fisheries and conservation biology from UC Davis\, her Master’s is in marine biology from Boston University and her Doctorate is in pathobiology and veterinary science with a certificate in public health from UCONN. She was a postdoctoral fellow and guest investigator at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She has taught marine mammal science and conservation courses at several institutions and began the seal research program at the Shoals Marine Lab a decade ago. She currently teaches Marine Mammal Biology at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and is the Chair and co-founder of the Northwest Atlantic Seal Research Consortium. Through all her work\, she hopes to amplify the voices of those that can provide the knowledge needed to mitigate human impacts as we manage ocean ecosystems. \nPHOTO CREDIT: Harbor Seals\, Hungry Point courtesy of Clay Burkhalter URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/seals-and-society-lessons-on-conservation-resilience-research-and-discovery/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/29168_181-seals-Clay_Burkhalter.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260812T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260812T150000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260325T125359Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T125457Z UID:38307-1786543200-1786546800@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Prehistoric Creatures DESCRIPTION:Travel back in time to meet the animals and plants that lived long before humans—and discover which ones are still here today. Unearth the story of ancient wildlife and meet their modern relatives. \nWHEN: Wednesday\, August 12\, 2026\nTIME: 2 to 3 p.m.\nLOCATION: In person at the Museum \nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.\nSuggested donation $10.\n \nAll Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.\nAttendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.\nPlease phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org\n(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s). \nPHOTO CREDIT: Snapping turtle. Courtesy of Justine Kibbe URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/prehistoric-creatures/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/15536_snapping-turtle_Turtleneck_jkibbe.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260816T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260816T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260331T133647Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T133647Z UID:38379-1786896000-1786899600@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:From Glaciers to Gardens: How Earthworms Shaped Northeastern Forest Soils DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for an illustrated talk by Annise Dobson\, Associate Research Scientist at Yale University\, who will share how the history of earthworms in North America has been shaped by ancient glaciation\, centuries of human-mediated introductions and spread\, and multiple waves of biological invasion.\nThis talk traces that history from the post-glacial forest assembly absent of earthworms and spread of European earthworms through agriculture\, logging\, road building\, horticulture\, and fishing bait. We then examine contemporary invasion of jumping worms\, and how different earthworm groups reshape habitats by accelerating leaf-litter breakdown\, altering soil structure and nutrient cycling\, and changing conditions for seeds\, seedlings\, and fungal communities. Finally\, we consider how earthworm impacts interact with other stressors such as invasive plants\, overabundant deer\, and climate-driven shifts in temperature and moisture\, and we outline practical steps for reducing spread and supporting conservation and management goals. \nWHEN: Sunday\, August 16\, 2026\nTIME: 4-5 p.m.\nPLACE: In person at the Museum and virtual via zoom \nAnnise Dobson is the Director of Research Programs\, Associate Research Scientist\, and Lecturer in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and the School of the Environment at Yale University. She grew up on a farm in the Ottawa Valley in Ontario\, Canada\, and completed her PhD at Cornell University. Her research focuses on plant-soil interactions and the ecosystem-level impacts of invasive species. Her work investigates the cascading effects of jumping worms on forest health\, from the soil food web\, up to the seedling layer\, and beyond. Dr. Dobson is passionate about translating scientific discovery into practical land management guidance and is actively involved in outreach to help land managers and the public understand and respond to this pressing ecological threat. \nPHOTO CREDITS: Grant Dobson URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/from-glaciers-to-gardens-how-earthworms-shaped-northeastern-forest-soils/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/earthworm_1455_Grant-Dobson.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260817T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T120000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260326T182537Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T135844Z UID:38331-1786957200-1787313600@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:FIND 2026 (MORNING PROGRAM) DESCRIPTION:FISHERS ISLAND NATURE DISCOVERY\n2026 – The 7th Year of FIND\nA Week (5 DAYS from 9 AM to NOON) of Learning Programs for Young Island Naturalists Ages 5 to 10. \nFIND offers a week of learning programs for young Island naturalists on a variety of environmental topics relating to the natural history and stewardship of our Island.\nUsing the Ferguson Museum as a base\, the programs provide an indoor/outdoor learning experience that introduces our children to the Island’s natural resources and some of the challenges faced in maintaining its fragile ecology. Led by educators\, the children discover the Island’s natural history through a combination of hands-on exploration\, observation\, and interpretation. \nWHEN: The 2026 FIND program will run for one week from August 17 to August 21; Monday through Friday\, 9 a.m. to noon. To promote group cohesion and learning\, we encourage all participants to attend all five sessions. \nWHO: 20 children max\, all between the ages of 5 to 10. Depending on numbers\, attendees will either be in one group\, or split into two groups by age. \nEach group will be led by educator/s from the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) or the Niantic Children’s Museum\, assisted at times by Museum staff and guest naturalists. \nWHERE: Outdoor locations will vary based on the daily plan\, but will include Fishers Island’s beaches\, woods\, and ponds. Indoor learning will take place at the Museum and will include art and science projects related to the daily subject matter. \nCOST: The cost per participant is $425 for the week. (Current FI School students can attend at no cost.) \nREGISTRATION: Please call the Museum (631-788-7239) or e-mail info@fergusonmuseum.org to reserve a spot for your child/children (and note the FIND program and the name and age of the attendee/s). The registration and payment form will then be sent to you. \nThis is a wonderful opportunity for young children to develop a love of nature and ecology through participatory learning both at the Museum and in the field. URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/find-2026-morning-program/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/HLFM-FIND-program.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260819T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260819T150000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260325T130520Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T130520Z UID:38310-1787148000-1787151600@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Inspect an Insect DESCRIPTION:Gain an appreciation for the diversity of insects as we examine insect specimens\, meet a live insect\, and use nets to see what insects are living outside of the museum! \nWHEN: Wednesday\, August 19\, 2026\nTIME: 2 to 3 p.m.\nLOCATION: In person at the Museum \nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.\nSuggested donation $10.\n \nAll Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.\nAttendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.\nPlease phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org\n(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s). URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/inspect-an-insect-2/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/monarch-butterfly_usfws.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260407T195339Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T231212Z UID:38473-1787414400-1787418000@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Tour of Olmsted Brothers’ Landscape Design Being Restored at East End DESCRIPTION:Join RoAnn Costin and William (Ned) Friedman\, Director of Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum\, for a tour of her property\, Rose Nest\, which she is restoring to the original Olmsted Brothers landscape design.\nIn the late 1920s\, the legendary Olmsted Brothers Firm of Brookline\, MA. created an elaborate landscape design for the George E. Hardy property overlooking Island Pond (later owned by the Mallory and O’Keefe families). \nRoAnn invites you to tour the grounds! \nWhen: Saturday\, August 22\, 2026\nTime: 4 pm\nPlace: Costin house at the East End\nReception to follow.\nPlease register to secure a spot by contacting the Ferguson Museum by phone (631-788-7239) or by e-mail (info@fergusonmuseum.org). \nABOVE PHOTO: Lot design for Hardy property\, originally named Winkath. \nPlease note related talk “Evolving Landscapes: Olmsted\, Design\, and the Arnold Arboretum” on Sunday\, August 23 by William (Ned) Friedman\, Director of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University\, who will take us on an exploration of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design legacy embodied at one of his most renowned and best-preserved landscapes: the Arnold Arboretum. URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/tour-of-olmsted-brothers-landscape-design-being-restored-at-east-end/ CATEGORIES:Garden Tour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Winkath_Olmsted-landscape_DSC01178.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260403T210833Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T102651Z UID:38423-1787500800-1787504400@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Evolving Landscapes: Olmsted\, Design\, and the Arnold Arboretum DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for a richly illustrated talk by William (Ned) Friedman\, Director of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University\, who will take us on an exploration of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design legacy embodied at one of his most renowned and best-preserved landscapes: the Arnold Arboretum.\nWhen: Sunday\, August 23\, 2026\nTime: 4-5 pm\nPlace: At the Museum\, 2nd floor and virtual\, via zoom\nSpace is limited\, registration is required. \nWe will learn about the design history of the Arboretum\, from its origins under Frederick Law Olmsted to decades of evolution that involved contributions by the Olmsted Brothers\, including lessons learned in modern times about how to manifest their visions in our contemporary world. \nNed will also share how a groundbreaking\, 19th-century collaboration between the City of Boston and Harvard University gave birth to the Arnold Arboretum\, which is today a world-leading scientific research enterprise dedicated to the study of woody plants\, and a crown jewel in Boston’s Emerald Necklace – a public park that is free and open 365 days a year\, fulfilling Olmsted’s vision of making the natural world accessible to every person\, no matter their background. This talk will connect past to present\, culminating in a reminder that we can learn from legendary designs and also make them relevant for our times. \nPlease note related event\, “Tour of Olmsted Brothers’ landscape design being restored at East End” – all are invited to join RoAnn Costin and William (Ned) Friedman\, Director of Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum\, Saturday\, August 22\, 2026 for a tour of her property\, “Rose Nest”\, which she is restoring to the original Olmsted Brothers landscape design. Registration required. \nWilliam (Ned) Friedman\, an evolutionary biologist who has done extensive research on the origin and early evolution of flowering plants\, has served since 2011 as the eighth director of the Arnold Arboretum. He is also a tenured professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University. \nAs leader of the nation’s first public arboretum\, Ned has positioned the Arnold Arboretum to confront current world challenges by redoubling the institution’s commitments to public health\, free access to programming and the beauty of the landscape for all citizens\, and global change mitigation projects. His vision for what a twenty-first century arboretum can and should be is fueling the largest redesign of horticultural and visitor infrastructure in the landscape since the Arboretum’s founding\, as well as forging a significant commitment to advancing environmental equity and climate change scholarship. \nFriedman’s academic research has focused on patterns of plant morphology\, anatomy\, and cell biology. He has been acclaimed for his discovery of a new type of reproductive structure in an ancient flowering plant that may represent a critical link between flowering plants and their ancestors. Friedman also has a keen interest in the history of science\, particularly the intellectual history of evolutionism. He has designed and taught courses on the life and work of Charles Darwin and other historical figures and lectured on the subject at natural history museums and other venues. \nAs a botanist who has devoted his entire career to studying the evolutionary diversification of plants\, he feels privileged to have the opportunity to steward\, promote\, and share the extraordinary botanical and horticultural resources of the Arnold Arboretum with students\, scholars\, and millions of annual visitors. \nHe is a graduate of Oberlin College and the University of California\, Berkeley\, and taught at the University of Georgia and the University of Colorado before joining Harvard University and the Arnold Arboretum. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Olmsted Arboretum Design\n \n \n \n \n \n Arboretum Bussey Hill\, Lilac Collection photo by Jon Hetman\n \n \n \n \n \n Arboretum Kent Field\, Conifer Collection\, Autumn photo by Ned Friedman URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/evolving-landscapes-olmsted-design-and-the-arnold-arboretum/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/arnold_arboretum_Oak-Collection-Fall_Ned-Friedman_34568.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260826T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260826T150000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260325T131704Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T131704Z UID:38313-1787752800-1787756400@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Innovative Animal Adaptations DESCRIPTION:Discover the world of biomicry and learn about human inventions that were inspired by animals and plants in the wild. Explore hands-on activities to replicate some of the incredible adaptations that animals have perfected over millions of years. Meet DPNC ambassador animals and observe their innovative adaptations! \nWHEN: Wednesday\, August 26\, 2026\nTIME: 2 to 3 p.m.\nLOCATION: In person at the Museum \nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.\nSuggested donation $10.\n \nAll Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.\nAttendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.\nPlease phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org\n(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s). URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/innovative-animal-adaptations-2/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/belted-kingfisher_Courtney-Celley_usfws.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260830T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260830T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T203120 CREATED:20260331T201450Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T191332Z UID:38385-1788105600-1788109200@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:The Blue Humanities: Reimagining America’s Maritime History DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for an illustrated talk by Associate Professor of History at the University at Albany\, State University of New York\, Christopher L. Pastore\, who will give a fast-paced tour through America’s maritime history and explore how and why sea stories have changed over time.\nDuring the early twentieth centuries maritime topics drew considerable interest\, but by the second half the ocean’s past had fallen from favor. More recently\, historians\, geographers\, and literary scholars have breathed new life into salty subjects\, filling shelves with books organized around the idea of the “blue humanities.” Intended for fishermen\, sailors\, and beach combers alike\, this lecture explores why the field has faced this ebb and flood—and provides a winter reading list in the process. \nWHEN: Sunday\, August 30\, 2026\nTIME: 4 p.m.\nPLACE: In person at the Museum and virtual via zoom \nChristopher L. Pastore \nChristopher L. Pastore is Associate Professor of History at the University at Albany\, State University of New York\, where he teaches courses in environmental history\, early America\, and the Atlantic world. He holds a Ph.D. in American History and M.S. in college teaching from the University of New Hampshire\, an M.F.A. in nonfiction Creative Writing from New School University\, and a B.A. in Biology from Bowdoin College. He is the author of Temple to the Wind: The Story of America’s Greatest Naval Architect and His Masterpiece\, Reliance (Lyons Press\, 2005) and Between Land and Sea: The Atlantic Coast and the Transformation of New England (Harvard University Press\, 2014). He is currently writing an environmental history of the Atlantic world with working title of A Thousand Thousand Slimy Things: A Natural History of the Sea from the Bottom Up. \nPHOTO CREDIT: Winslow Homer\, Boys in a Dory\, 1873\, Public domain\, via Wikimedia Commons URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/the-blue-humanities-reimagining-americas-maritime-history/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Winslow_Homer_-_Boys_in_a_Dory_WC.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR