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Mystic Seaport is no ordinary museum. This is the nation's maritime museum, a 17-acre museum of the sea, located in the quaint village of Mystic, Connecticut. The nation's only surviving wooden whaler is anchored here. This is the place to immerse yourself in history, to actually act and feel the same as early pioneers, to experience some of their hardships and joys.

This is also the home of the Amistad, a recreation of the infamous coastal trader featured in Steven Spielberg's controversial 1997 film. The original Amistad was the scene of a revolt by the Africans it carried -- kidnapped for the slave trade -- during which part of the crew was slain. The unfortunate survivors were then arrested and imprisoned in the United States. After trials and appeals, the case was taken before the Supreme Court. John Quincy Adams, known as "Old Man Eloquent," spoke eloquently on behalf of the Africans, thereby persuading the Court that the prisoners should be granted their freedom. Listen closely when you board the ship; you may hear the cries of the innocents still.