“We hope people will come away with an idea of how long humans have been trying to find their way across the seas,” said Conchi Saenz-Cambra, director of collections for the museum.
The new exhibit represents the work of dozens of volunteers who logged more than 300 hours doing everything from painting murals to building a small planetarium, where visitors can take a look at various constellations ancient sailors used to navigate the high seas.
Newport Beach retiree Bill Nelson stopped by the museum one day looking for a model ship kit, but ended up building an interactive display of a ship for the exhibit where visitors can take the life-sized wheel. A journeyman and electrician, he’s spent about eight hours a day at the museum for the past four months volunteering his time to the navigation exhibit.
“I hope people whatever their age who come to see the exhibit will learn something about sailing and also have fun,” Nelson said.
Other interactive displays in the exhibit include a video-guided lesson on how to use a sextant and a hands-on tutorial on tying various nautical knots.
Visitors also can play a sailing video game developed by a French gaming company.
“We’re trying to make everything we do very interactive, because coming to a museum should be fun,” Muller said.
If You Go
ADMISSION:
Five dollars for adults; $3 for students and senior citizens. Museum members and children younger than 12 get in free.
MUSEUM HOURS TODAY TO MAY 31:
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
The museum will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 24 and Memorial Day
CONTACT:
Call (949) 675-8915 or visit www.nhnm.org for detailed visitor information and additional opening times.
The exhibit will be on display at the museum until Dec. 15.
