Whaling: An American Story. James Russell, President and CEO of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, will speak at the fall meeting of the Wayland Sailing Association on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at 8:00 p.m. He will discuss the 19th century whaling fishery and its importance to Massachusetts and the United States. Centered in New Bedford in the mid-1800’s, the whaling industry generated the capital that financed the railroads, textile mills, insurance, and banking practices and fueled the industrial revolution and the American expansion westward. Mr. Russell is the former Vice President of the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS), The Museum of Yachting, and at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.
The presentation will be preceded by a pot luck dinner starting at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at The Hills at Mainstone Farms, Hillside Drive, Wayland, MA. The event is one of several programs offered to members of the Wayland Sailing Association during the non-sailing season. Family membership is open to sailors and non-sailors alike and costs $30 a year. Memberships and more information about the dinner and presentation may be obtained by contacting Iryna Priester at irynawp@verizon.net or (508) 358-2539.
