Moby-Dick Marathon Program & Events Schedule

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

Moby-Dick Dinner & Lecture

Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)

• 5:00 PM: Cocktail Reception & Buffet
• 6:30 PM: Special Program (to be announced)

Tickets: $75 Members | $100 Non-Members (coming soon)

This is the only ticketed event. All other Marathon programs and museum admission are free until Sunday at 1:00 PM.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

9:30 AM – Stump the Scholars

Cook Memorial Theater (Lower Level)

Submit your questions to Melville experts and try to stump them. Hosted by Marina Wells. Special pins for successful stumpers.

10:00 AM – Story Time

East Meets West Gallery (Main Level)

Children enjoy a storytelling session in the coziness of the Kids Corner located within the East Meets West Gallery.

11:25 AM – Moby-Dick Extracts

A Whaling Voyage Around the World / Bourne Building (Main Level)

Melville Society scholars read selected passages. VIP readers seated near the podium.

12:00 Noon – Start of the 25-Hour Marathon

A Whaling Voyage Around the World / Bourne Building (Main Level)

Begins at the stern of the Lagoda with “Call me Ishmael.” Guest readers continue through Chapter 6.

1:30 PM – Father Mapple’s Sermon

Seamen’s Bethel and Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)

Wristband required for in-person seating. Livestream available in the Gallery. Hymn sheets provided with “The Ribs and Terrors in the Whale.”

1:30 PM – Portuguese Mini-Marathon

Cook Memorial Theater (Lower Level)

Forty-eight readers perform a Portuguese adaptation by Tiago Patricio. Doors open at 1:30 PM; reading 2:00–6:00 PM. Celebration follows in Jacobs Family Gallery.

2:10 PM – Main Marathon Continues

Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)

Marathon resumes after Bethel reading and continues through the evening.

2:30 PM – Chat with Melville Scholars

Research Library (Main Level)

Informal discussion with scholars in a roundtable setting.

3:00–6:00 PM – Make Your Mark

Classroom (Main Level)

Craft your own bookmark (drop-in self-guided activity). Supplies available while they last.

4:00-5:00 PM – Meet & Greet Drop-in Session with Heidi Whitman

Center Street Gallery (Main Level)

Meet the artist behind Ahab’s Head: American Vengeance, An installation, Heidi Whitman and reflect on Ahab’s obsession in Moby-Dick, and ties to American violence and public discourse.

6:30 PM – Cousin Hosea’s Chowder Hall and Decanter Taproom

Whales Today / Jacobs Family Gallery (Lower Level)

Warm up with complimentary chowder or explore local food vendors.

• Complimentary chowder while supplies last.
• Beer & Wine cash bar is available.

7:30 PM – Midnight on the Forecastle (Chapter 40)

Cook Memorial Theater (Lower Level)

Live performance by Culture*Park.

• NEW THIS YEAR: Seats will be assigned by lottery, like Seamen’s Bethel lottery, due to high demand and limited seating.
• Overflow virtual viewing available in Whales Today / Jacobs Family Gallery & Harbor View Gallery.

8:00 PM – Start of Overnight Marathon Reading

Cook Memorial Theater (Lower Level)

• Marathon continues through the night.
• NEW THIS YEAR: overnight slots will be in 5-minute slots (as are the daytime slots) to accommodate additional readers.
• Coffee available in Whales Today / Jacobs Family Gallery.

9:00 PM – Harbor View Gallery / Other Upper & Main Levels Close

• Turner Gallery remains open overnight as a Quiet Room.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4

8:00 AM – The 20th-Hour Treat

Whales Today / Jacobs Family Gallery (Lower Level)

Complimentary coffee and malassadas while, supplies last. Additional food will be available for purchase.

8:00 AM – Marathon Relocates

Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)

Final leg of the Marathon until approximately 1:00 PM.

9:30 AM – Chat with Melville Scholars

Research Library (Main Level)

Another opportunity for open conversation with scholars.

1:00 PM – Marathon Concludes

Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)

Amanda McMullen reads the epilogue.