Fishing Out of Stonington

In the mid-1990s, Mystic Seaport documented the fishing families and fishing fleet of Stonington, Connecticut, with tape recorder and camera. In honor of the 50th anniversary of Stonington's Blessing of the Fleet, oral historian Fred Calabretta has compiled reflections on the practice and meaning of fishing to the community of Stonington captured in the oral history interviews. More than 80 images document the fishermen and their world, in summer and in winter, at work and in celebration. An introduction by Dr. Glenn Gordinier offers an overview of the role of fishing in Stonington's history, and an afterword by Dr. John O. Jensen discusses changes in the industry since this material was gathered.