Notwithstanding Stu Reininger’s bona-fides and his personal disappointments upon reconnecting with Mystic Seaport Museum, it’s hard to understand or appreciate The Day’s choice to amplify his hatchet job on a distinguished and iconic institution in our midst.

Members of my family, as longtime residents of Groton and Mystic, have been museum members for decades. My now-deceased mother volunteered for many years in membership as did my sister in the former Art Museum, whose magnificent centerpiece sculpture continues to grace, prominently, the museum’s entryway courtyard. As a museum member and neighbor, I have visited the Seaport scores of times in the past year following my move back to the area, my hometown. Though the upstairs bookstore long ago was moved downstairs and downsized, the selection of books seems to remain quite outstanding, albeit narrower in scope.

It has seemed to me and other family members that the new Museum President has been doing a “bang-up” job in numerous and terrific ways to not only pull the Seaport out of its reportedly million-dollar annual deficit, but to make the venue improved and spruced up in ways quite obvious even to a casual stroll-through.

Sure, there is progress needed, but the evidences of diligent and dynamic renewal and wise investment seem to be everywhere. The Sabino will be back in service once its needed refurbishment is complete. (Old ships need refurbishment, and the Seaport is known far and wide for its expert work.) Check out the new piers at the other end, and the many and delightful improvements along the way.

People come from near and far to visit this beloved and one-of-a-kind place in our region. It deserves our support, and admiration!

Doug Reed

Mystic