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FRIDAY MAY 24, 2024 • VOL. 54, NO. 21
Independence Seaport Museum Ushers In Summer Season With Shipboard Activities For All Ages WWII-Era Submarine, Becuna, Turns 80 Years Old Independence Seaport Museum (ISM) is gearing up for the summer season with programming and events that allow visitors to explore Philadelphia’s river of history and world of connections, all from aboard its two historic ships, Olympia and Becuna. “Philadelphia is a city that was born from the Delaware River,” states Peter S. Seibert, president and CEO of the Independence Seaport Museum. “As you make plans for the summer, I encourage you to come down to the river and begin exploring its rich history by attending one of our programs.” Coinciding with Memorial Day Weekend, the museum will celebrate Becuna (“Becky”)’s 80th birthday with a weekend full of programming and special discounts from Saturday, May 25, to Monday, May 27. A WWII-era submarine, “Becky” was comm i ss i o n e d o n M ay 27 , 1 94 4 , at Electric Boat Company in Groton, Conn., and sent immediately to the Pacific Ocean, where she engaged the naval forces of Imperial Japan during WWII. In 1951, Becuna underwent modernization as part of the United States Navy’s Greater Underwater Propulsion and Power Program (also known as the GUPPY Program), where she was refitted with a streamlined hull and a snorkel system, among other upgrades. “Becky” is the only Guppy 1-A type submarine re m a i n i n g a n y w h e re i n t h e world. Relocated to Philadelphia in 1969 after she was decommissioned, Becuna was made a museum in July 1976 as part of the Bicentennial Celebration of the Declaration of Independence and moved to Penn’s Landing to be docked alongside the Olympia. Throughout the holiday weekend, the museum will offer special promotions to celebrate Becuna’s historic milestone. Visitors who purchase either the Climb Aboard, the Explorer, or the Admiral Dewey admission packages will receive a special memento to rememb e r B e cu n a’s 8 0 t h B i r t h d ay Bash. The Climb Aboard package is a ship-centric offering that
features self-guided exploration of Olympia and a guided tour of the cruiser’s engine room, plus a guided tour of Becuna. The other two options, the Explorer and Admiral Dewey packages, include s e l f - g u i d e d e x p l o ra t i o n o n Olympia and a guided Becuna tour in both packages, plus a guided tour of Olympia’s engine room with the Admiral Dewey selection, in addition to self-
“ T h e s e s h i p s w e re n e v e r designed to last this long,” says Independence Seaport Museum’s Shipboard Interpretation Manager Greg Williams. “Becuna is still here 80 years later, serving as a link to our past and educating younger generations about our nation’s history.It is a remarkable thing and a testament to ISM’s commitment to her as her caretaker.”
Here the Becuna is docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1949, Weilminster Collection, 2009.015. Photo courtesy of Independence Seaport Museum.
The Becuna is moored alongside Olympia on Penn’s Landing. Photo courtesy of Independence Seaport Museum. guided exploration in the museum building. Additionally, shoppers in the Museum Store will receive an 8.0 percent discount on any Becuna-themed merchandise. ISM will also introduce its expanded historic ship schedule, which will run until Labor Day. Guided tours of Becuna will be offered daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m., alongside guided tours of Olympia’s engine room at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Olympia, the oldest floating steel ship in the world, will also be the site of events throughout the summer. Back again for a second year, ISM’s “Captain’s Corner” series will be offered once a month aboard the ship. The series will cover various topics, but all have one common thread: highlighting themes relevant to the museum’s two historic ships. G u e s t s ca n lea r n a b o u t t h e American Army in the Phillippines
during the Spanish-American war with Ph.D. student Derrick Rowe on June 29; the naval life and l ea d e rs h i p o f Fl e e t A d m i ral Chester Nimitz with Dr. Tyler R. Bamford from the Naval History and Heritage Command on July 27; and Hitler’s plan to stimy the Americans in the Atlantic Ocean with K.A. Nelson, the author of “Killing Shore: The True Story of Hitler’s U-boats Off the New Jersey Coast,” on Aug. 17. The cost per program is $15 per person and includes access to the lecture and self-guided exploration onboard Olympia. ISM members receive free admission. Summer evenings at ISM will come alive with Olympia After Hours, a series of special events that the museum will launch in June. Back due to popular demand following a similar event held in 2023, Olympia After Hours will include speakeasy evenings plus three new thematic evenings for those 21 and older. On June 14, July 12, and Aug. 9, attendees will be transported to a 1920sera speakeasy, complete with jazz music, themed cocktails, and mocktails. On June 28, July 26, and August 23, visitors can experience different themes, including a celebration of Pride month (June 28), a sci-fi night where guests will travel to far-off realms (July 26), and a ‘90s night where attendees can relive the recent decade (Aug. 23). Tickets for each event are $35 per person and include one complimentary drink. ISM members receive free admission. Rounding out summer programming is a new event on Olympia scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 3. ISM will be joined by Nerd Mall and Origins of Play for Olympia Con, a full day of gaming and exploration. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., gaming enthusiasts, anime lovers, and co l l e c to rs w i l l u n i te fo r a n unforgettable experience filled with cutting-edge video game tournaments, thrilling anime and cosplay, amazing vendors, and more.To make the day sweeter, Philadelphia’s own Bassett Ice Cream will be available during the event, selling ice cream to those onboard. Additional information and ticket options will be announced shortly on ISM’s website. Continued on page 5
Antiques And Primitive Goods Show At Walker Homestead Will Take Place June 15 Show Is Held In Brookfield, Mass. Walker Homestead is hosting its spring Antiques and Primitive Goods Show on Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 19 Martin Road, Brookfield, Mass. The show features nearly 50 reputable dealers in early country antiques and also quality handmade primitive goods from all over New England and beyond on Walker Homestead’s lawns and back fields. Now in its 15th year, the show is a greatly anticipated twice-yearly event. Walker Homestead, the home of Paul and Kris Casucci, consists of a 1698 colonial saltbox situated on 30 acres in central Massachusetts and features heirloom gardens, country antiques and also handmade primitives. The event Continued on page 3
Gehman Auctions To Hold Two-Day Sports Card And Memorabilia Sale Large Event Set For May 26 And 27 By Karl Pass On Sunday and Monday, May 26 and 27, Gehman Auctions based in Ephrata, Pa., will hold a huge sports card and memorabilia sale. Over 1,250 lots will cross the block at the online sale, which will begin to close at 3 p.m. each day. The two-day event will encompass antique, vintage, and modern sports cards and various items of sports memorabilia. Featured items include a complete set of 1986 Fleer basketball Continued on page 7
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . .
starting on page 2
SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . .
on page 4
EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR on page 5 AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . on page 5 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . . . . on page 5
FEATURED ARTICLE: Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall To Hold Memorial Day Weekend Sale - Page 2
CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 7