College Relations

CONTACT --- Jim Glynn at 978-542-7519 or james.glynn@salemstate.edu

SALEM, Mass. - The Bowditch Institute of Salem will celebrate the bicentennial of Nathaniel Bowditch's The New American Practical Navigator with a conference Nov. 8-9 at Salem State College.

The conference "Nathaniel Bowditch: The Art and Science of Navigation, 1802-2002" will use Bowditch as a touchstone for exploring the state of the maritime sciences and commerce of his age, as well as the legacy of his contributions into the 21st century.

Bowditch scholars and navigation specialists from eminent research universities, as well as scholars from the U. S. Naval Observatory, Sea Education Association will explore interconnections between maritime history, science, and commerce in the Early Republic, and his legacy in these areas today.

In the spirit of Bowditch's commitment to education, scholars, teachers, museum and historic site professionals are invited.

Salem State College professor Dane Morrison, left, and Dan Finamore of the Peabody Essex Museum, discuss plans for the upcoming Bowditch conference.

The conference will take place in historic Salem seaport, and will feature venues at the home of Nathaniel Bowditch, the Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Athenaeum, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, and Salem State College.

Activities will include museum and historic site visits, including tours of the replica 1797 merchant vessel Friendship.

Registration is $50. A Friday reception dinner at the Phillips Library is $25. A Saturday lunch at the Conference Center is $10 and the Saturday reception at the Salem Marine Society is $15.

For more information, contact Dr. Dane Morrison, professor of History at Salem State College, at 978-542-7134 or dane.morrison@salemstate.edu.