NEWBURYPORT — The Custom House Maritime Museum is hosting two events Friday including another First Friday Lecture and a photography exhibit.
“The Day Wooden Navies Became Obsolete: Newburyport Sailors and the Battle of Hampton Roads,” features an exploration of the 1862 Battle of Hampton Roads, the historic naval engagement that forever changed the course of maritime warfare. Capt. Robert Cronin, chairman of the museum’s board of directors leads the discussion starting at 6:30 p.m. with a reception taking place at 5:30 p.m. Free for museum members, $10 for non-members.
Fought on March 8–9, 1862, during the American Civil War, the Battle of Hampton Roads marked the first clash between ironclad warships in history. The encounter between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia demonstrated the transformative power of iron armor and is widely remembered as a turning point in naval history—ushering in an era in which wooden warships were rapidly rendered obsolete.
Cronin will examine the events that led to the battle, the dramatic engagement itself, and the devastating destruction of two Union wooden warships, the USS Cumberland and USS Congress. He will also explore the battle through the experiences of the sailors who witnessed and participated in the fighting.
Of particular interest to local audiences, the presentation will highlight Newburyport’s connection to the Battle of Hampton Roads, exploring the experiences of sailors from the city who found themselves caught up in one of the most consequential naval engagements of the Civil War.
Through historical accounts, firsthand perspectives, and the broader story of the transformation of naval technology, Cronin will bring the battle and its human dimension to life while highlighting the important role Newburyport sailors played in the nation’s maritime history.
The program is part of the Custom House Maritime Museum’s ongoing commitment to exploring Newburyport’s maritime heritage and its connections to significant events in American and global history.
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The museum is hosting a photography exhibition by Mark Quarantiello in the Community Gallery. The opening reception also takes place Friday, at 5:30 p.m.
A longtime resident of the Newburyport area, Quarantiello originally began taking photographs as a complement to his writing about saltwater fishing for magazines and newspapers. His photography has appeared in the Newburyport Daily News, New England Fisherman Magazine, and Saltwater Sportsman Magazine, among other publications.
Several of Quarantiello’s scenic fishing photographs were also featured in Greater Newburyport, “A Photographic Portrait,” a pictorial book celebrating the region. His photograph “Golden Cast” was selected as one of the book’s award-winning images.
Primarily self-taught, Quarantiello has supplemented his experience with photography classes over the years, continually refining his technical and artistic skills. His approach is grounded in a simple goal: to capture and preserve moments that are visually compelling or that tell an interesting story, according to museum officials.
Newburyport residents are invited to explore free of charge as part of their visit to the museum. The museum is located at 25 Water St., Newburyport.