I took the opportunity to visit the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) on my recent October trip to Canada for the Admiralty Models Workshop. Although the purpose of my trip was to learn new model making skills and meet with colleagues, I couldn’t pass up visiting one of the world’s finest collections of historic ship models in nearby Toronto. The photos here are just a small sample I took in the museum’s dedicated Thompson Ship Collection gallery. A large format, 184 page full color book (pictured below) showing many of the models in the collection is also available from the gallery’s gift shop for the amazingly low price of $15 Canadian.
Continue reading “The AGO: Another Mecca For Ship Modelers”Shore Leave
When modelers step ashore, they often return with stories. Shore Leave features museum visits, historical landmarks, and the places that bring maritime history to life.
A Visit to the Mariner’s Museum: Ironclads and Master Models
On my recent trip to the IPMS conference in Hampton, Virginia, one recommendation kept coming up: “You have to visit the Mariner’s Museum.” With a few hours to spare on my final day, I took that advice—and I’m very glad I did.
Located just a short drive away in Newport News, the Mariners’ Museum is one of those rare places that feels both expansive and personal. Founded in 1930 by Archer Huntington, owner of Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, the museum was more than a philanthropic gesture—it was a bold response to the Great Depression. With ship orders drying up, Huntington kept his workforce employed by commissioning what he envisioned as “a museum and library dedicated to promoting all things nautical and maritime.” That vision still echoes today, nearly a century later.
Continue reading “A Visit to the Mariner’s Museum: Ironclads and Master Models”A Wooden Ship Guy at the IPMS National Convention
I recently attended the 2025 International Plastic Modelers Society (IPMS) National Convention in Hampton, VA. As someone firmly rooted in the “wooden sticks and strings” side of the hobby, this was my first IPMS event — and I even took the plunge and booked a vendor booth for SeaWatch Books. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I came away impressed by the scale of the show and the enthusiasm of the community.
The convention filled the Hampton Convention Center for four full days. With more than 100 vendors, several hundred contest models, and well over 1,000 attendees, it was easily one of the largest modeling events I’ve attended — certainly bigger than our annual Northeast Joint Clubs Conference.
Continue reading “A Wooden Ship Guy at the IPMS National Convention”