Children make belated, historical valentines

Feb 22, 2020

MATTAPOISETT — On Thursday, Feb. 20, the  Land Trust and the town’s Museum hosted twenty-five children for a school vacation activity at the museum. Children learned the craft of making sailor’s valentines.

During the 19th century, whaling vessel voyages could last months or even years at a time, taking sailors far out in to the Pacific. The trips were isolating for sailors, causing heartache for their loved ones back home. One way sailors coped with being away from their loved ones was to bring back gifts as a show of affection. A popular gift was the sailor’s valentine; scenes  made from sea shells and other natural objects formed into intricate designs. These gifts are believed to have been made on the island of Barbados and sold to sailors while in port.

Children at the museum were taught the history of the sailor’s valentine and then guided by members of the Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee and Mattapoisett Museum to create their own valentines using their creativity with inspiration from actual sailor’s valentines in the museum’s collections. Children were provided shells, glass beads, moss and other natural objects to create the valentines. Afterwards the young artists were treated to snacks and explored the museum.

The Mattapoisett Land Trust and Mattapoisett Museum are collaborative partners that work to bring educational events to the community. For more information on upcoming events, news and ways to get involved and support each organization visit mattlandtrust.org or mattapoisettmuseum.org.