Museum Marks a First With Hello Sailor! Exhibit

Published by the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is making history with Hello Sailor! Gay Life on the Ocean Wave. The exhibit, which looks at gay culture as part of seafaring life from the 1950s to present day, opens for the first time in North America at the museum.

Quotes

“ This is a first for the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and an example of what our museums do best -- uncover unique aspects of our history. The aim is to explore this topic in an insightful and respectful way, just as the museum does with its other exhibits about life at sea. ” David Wilson, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage

“ Consultations with the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the local LGBTI community have helped staff present the exhibit in a way that is accessible to a diverse audience. ” Calum Ewing, director of museum operations

Quick Facts

Hello Sailor! is adapted from an exhibit created by National Museums Liverpool in England. It is based on Hello Sailor! The Hidden History of Gay Life at Sea, a book published by Jo Stanley and Paul Baker in 2003.
The exhibit has been on display at the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool since 2006.
To include Nova Scotian and Canadian perspectives, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic conducted research with local members of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgendered and intersex, or LGBTI community. Five gay mariners voluntarily participated, contributing personal anecdotes, photos and items for the exhibit.
Ms. Stanley, guest curator for the exhibit, traveled from Halifax, England to attend the launch.
Hello Sailor! runs until Nov. 27.

Learn More

Media Contacts

Jenny Nodelman: Maritime Museum of the Atlantic; 902-471-3320; E-mail: nodelmjw@gov.ns.ca
Kyla Friel: Communities, Culture and Heritage; 902-471-4128; E-mail: frielkv@gov.ns.ca

Images

One of the light-hearted crew drag shows, early 1960s. Courtesy of Southampton City Council and National Museums Liverpool.
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Putting on a show in the crew’s bar, the Pig and Whistle, in 1965. Courtesy of National Museums Liverpool.
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Minge, a barman on P&O’s Sea Princess in make-up and feminised uniform. Courtesy of National Museums Liverpool.
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Minge as a barman on P&O’s Sea Princess, with his arms round passengers. Courtesy of National Museums Liverpool.
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The announcement for the North American opening of the Hello Sailor! Gay Life on the Ocean Wave exhibit at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax.
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The rainbow flag flies outside the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax.
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Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister David Wilson welcomes the Hello Sailor! Gay Life on the Ocean Wave exhibit to Nova Scotia.
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Jo Stanley, guest curator and author of the book Hello Sailor! The Hidden History of Gay Life at Sea, hams it up with a boa at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.
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