Mystic ― Mystic Seaport Museum announced Tuesday it has received $821,000 in federal grants that will support its Center for Experiential Education and historic watercraft collection.

The education center’s Maritime Adventure Program will benefit from a $570,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Education while a $251,000 grant from the National Park Service will support preservation of and access to the museum’s small craft collection.

The Maritime Adventure Program serves high school students affiliated with New London Youth Affairs in New London County, offering young people from diverse backgrounds the chance to gain skills in marine carpentry, sailing, powerboating, astronomy and navigation as well as instruction in maritime heritage and marine conservation.

The museum’s watercraft collection began in 1931 and has become the largest collection of its kind in the United States. Its holdings range from rowboats to schooners and ships, rowing craft, canoes and powered craft.

U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., were instrumental in securing the funding, the museum said.