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Onrust Returns to Connecticut River Museum

The Connecticut River Museum heralds the return of the re-creation of Adriaen Block’s Onrust for public cruises in June.

In 1614, the Dutch explorer and his crew investigated coastal New York, Long Island, Connecticut, and Rhode Island in pursuit of developing trade partnerships with Native Americans. Block became the first known European to travel up the Connecticut River to just north of Hartford (a distance of approximately 60 miles from Long Island Sound).

The re-created Onrust was launched in 2009 by The Onrust Project, an all-volunteer non-profit out of New York, which built the vessel after painstakingly researching traditional Dutch shipbuilding techniques. The museum and the project have again partnered to bring the vessel to Connecticut.

Traveling from New York to the Connecticut River Museum, the vessel followed much of the same path that Block took in 1614. It departed from Kingston, New York, travels to New York Bay, traversed the treacherous Hell Gate, entered Long Island Sound and sailed to the mouth of the Connecticut River. The Onrust then completed the last leg of its journey, sailing up the Connecticut River, which Block named the Versche, or Fresh River.

The Onrust will be a floating exhibit at the museum through early October. She will be open for dockside tours, school and scout programs, along with public cruises and charters. Public cruises run June to October. On Monday, June 25, at 5:30 p.m., as a celebration of the museum’s newest exhibit, Onrust will host a Thirsty River: 400 Years of Drink, Life, and Reform in the Connecticut River Valley themed cruise in Middletown with guest speaker Steve Gencarella. A sunset cruise is planned for 7 p.m. Tickets for the Middletown event may be reserved by calling the Connecticut River Museum front desk at 860-767-8269.

The Connecticut River Museum is located on the Essex waterfront at 67 Main Street in Essex and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum, located in the historic Steamboat Dock building, offers exhibits and programs about the history and environment of the Connecticut River. For a full listing of museum programs or to buy tickets for the Onrust, RiverFare, and many other events go to www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860-767-8269.