Steve,
Your experience seems to be the exact opposite of mine. I was not looking
for any individual boat, or Group, just a specific detail or style of
sternsheet. I wanted to take some measurements so I could possibly generate
a 'formula' to adapt it to various small boat hull widths. I was given a
nice 'rummaging tour' by the 'main guy' {I was directed to him by the people
working in the restoration boatyard}. I used the word 'attic' because that
was the environment - dusty, dirty, musty, and moldy. It was NOT a clean,
well lighted, climate-controlled building. In fact it was several very
crowded 'warehouse-like' buildings.

I certainly don't have a card with 'letters' after my name {although I do
have legitimate claim to . . . A.ScMe, A.ScELE, and a B.Sc, so I'm not
exactly illiterate} and I was wearing somewhat 'scruffy' clothes. However, I
remember, specifically, his comment that, " . . . most people don't realize
that's what we're actually here for . . . research".

As a Member, I'm sorry your experience was not to your liking. The Seaport,
like a great many other such institutions, has limited funds and personnel
resources. Many of the people you see 'working' there are actually un-paid
volunteers. They have 'donations' of artifacts from many sources, but not
the best places to store them, or people & time to 'catalog' them. Plus the
fact that a lot of items have been there a long time. Why should they spend
the money to simply 're-do' or 're-print' a catalog when the items haven't
changed. Yes, a lot of the 'stuff' in the Gift Shop is over-priced . . . did
you also notice that it was OUTSIDE the Entrance. The prices are actually on
par with that charged by "Preston's", "Wind in the Rigging", and other
sellers. I not 'thrilled' either, but would rather see the extra profits go
to support some place like the Seaport, then just add to some corporate
'bottom line'.

Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop

"steveJ" wrote in message
...
That's right about the research area not being "open". I visited the
Museum last summer trying to do some research on some bark canoes that
I'm pretty sure they have and the main guy who everyone directed me to,
who shall remain nameless, was less than helpful. He directed me to
a catalogue directory that was printed a number of years ago that listed
some boats but would not show me anything else.
SNIP