Greetings; let me start with some history: For the past two years, Mystic Seaport has been involved in planning the building of a reproduction of a ship, the _Amistad_. In 1839 fifty-three illegally enslaved Africans were on this schooner and were being transported from Havana to another port in Cuba when they overpowered the crew and tried to sail back to Africa. After a two month odyssey the voyage ended on the eastern end of Long Island and they were taken into custody and delivered to New London, Connecticut, and from there to New Haven to stand trial. What I have thus far related to you is just the beginning of a very important story in the history of the struggle over human rights in the United States. It is the incident around which the Abolition movement coalesced. It is a story that many more people will become familiar with after the completion of the "major motion picture" by Stephen Spielberg. (His location-scouting visit here and in Newport, RI, on Monday, was front page news both in New London and Providence.) We are working with partners, a new organization - Amistad America - will actually own and operate the completed vessel; and a large grant from the State of Connecticut has been set aside for the construction. We are still planning and continue fund raising. We have NOT begun construction as yet, but HOPE to do so within 12 months time. Now the reson for this post: In preparation for this new interpretive focus at this maritime history museum, we are involved in a major staff training effort and continue planning for additional training. We realize that our staff need more than "just the facts" if they are going to be interpreting this historic event to a diverse public. We, in fact, are working to diversify our audience as we bring forward the issues of race and diversity in the stories of America and the sea. We are looking at a specific multi-faceted training program for everyone on our staff which will help us to examine our own issues regarding racial and cultural diversity. In addition to our partners in this collaboration, we have contacted some great resource people in the National Park Service, at the Holocaust Museum, at Colonial Williamsburg, and in the local academic community. However, we are looking for additional resources and so I turn to you - this electronic community. If you have conducted training programs to increase sensitivity and awareness of your staff around the issues of racial and cultural diversity, especially within a historical context, I would love to hear about it. Published articles would also be very useful. Thanks. Edward Baker ********** Edward Baker Supervisor of Interpretation Mystic Seaport Museum Box 6000 Mystic, CT 06355 (860)572-0711 [log in to unmask] **********