Preserving Maritime America

Book excerpt: Introduction. From cabinets of curiosities to remade waterfronts -- "That every mariner may possess the history of the world": a cabinet for the East India Marine Society of Salem -- "From pursuit to preservation": the new Bedford Whaling Museum -- "Stout hearts make a safe ship": individual and community at Mystic Seaport -- "To make the American people more ship-minded": shipbuilding and sea culture at the Mariners' Museum -- "A sailing ship stirs the general public like nothing else": remaking San Francisco's waterfront and identity -- "The street of ships": creating South Street Seaport -- Conclusion. "A loosely knit net of regional enterprises."