The Blue Humanities: Reimagining America’s Maritime History

Join us at the Museum for an illustrated talk by Associate Professor of History at the University at Albany, State University of New York, Christopher L. Pastore, who will give a fast-paced tour through America’s maritime history and explore how and why sea stories have changed over time. During the early twentieth centuries maritime topics drew considerable interest, but by the second half the ocean’s past had fallen from favor. More recently, historians, geographers, and literary scholars have breathed new life into salty subjects, filling shelves with books organized around the idea of the “blue humanities.” Intended for fishermen, sailors, and beach combers alike, this lecture explores why the field has faced this ebb and flood—and provides a winter reading list in the process. WHEN: Sunday, August 30, 2026 TIME: 4 p.m. PLACE: In person at the Museum and virtual via zoom Christopher L. Pastore Christopher L. Pastore is Associate Professor of History at the University at Albany,… View Source