Stephen C. White, President & CEO, Mystic Seaport, has a strong vision for the future of the Museum as did founder Carl C. Cutler, shown in the painting.

story & photo
by Alexis Ann

Last January 15th, some 80 years after the story of the Mystic Seaport began with the incorporation of the Marine Historical Association, Stephen White, former headmaster of the Fay School, Southborough, MA, took its lead position as President and Chief Executive Officer.  Stephen, a cheerful, enthusiastic, ambitious, down-to-earth, market-savvy leader has a strong vision for the future of the Seaport.  He stresses the importance of the Seaport’s connection to our community as did the three founders:  Carl C. Cutler, a lawyer from a seafaring family, Charles K. Stillman, a New York doctor who had returned to Mystic to live in the house of his grandfather, shipbuilder Clark Greenman; and Edward Bradley, a local silk manufacturer.

Reciprocity

The new president’s mission?  “Intensifying our focus on community relations.”  He poses, “How can we (Mystic Seaport) be a more effective partner to the community?” Stephen adds, “A strong healthy Mystic is important to the Seaport and a strong healthy Seaport is important to Mystic.”

Legacy

As a young boy growing up on the coast of Maine, Stephen developed a deep passion for the sea and sailing.  Explaining the legacy of the Mystic area, “Before the Seaport was here as a museum, this place had a legacy of the sea.  This area was a hub for maritime industry.  The three largest ships ever built in Connecticut, including the famous Davy Crockett, were built here.”  Today, this legacy lives on through the marinas and boating activities on the Mystic River.  “The Museum represents the legacy of the past.”

Culture of a Museum

“The hardest part of non-profits is managing the culture of the institution.  Embracing and nurturing the culture while moving it in a positive direction-a dynamic direction so it sustains itself.  Unlike other types of businesses, if we have to make more money, we can’t step up production of something.   We have to inspire donors to give more.  We have to acquire more grants.  We have to inspire a visitor to come visit us and then, make them want to come back, time after time.”

Dreams for Future

“My dream is that every fourth grader in the State of Connecticut will have the opportunity to walk across our campus and experience all that Mystic Seaport is.  With budget cuts and the financial struggles of educating our kids, we need to enrich the experience of our elementary school children.  They need to go to places like here.  Through partnerships with statewide organizations and our fundraising efforts,  I’m hoping we can provide a free experience for fourth graders.”

Goal

“My first goal is:  How do we get every fourth grader in New London County the opportunity to come experience the Mystic Seaport next year.  To date, we’ve raised $450,000 to endow this program.  We are working with other major businesses in this area to participate in the funding of this program.”

“My second goal is to provide teachers access to our knowledge of U.S. History and our knowledge of maritime history through webinars and online resources.”

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