The Whaling Museum's newest exhibition dives deep into the stories sailors told — and the ones the ocean told them. Monsters & Mermaids explores how nautical myths shaped cultures and continue to shape us, from ancient cave paintings of mermaids to the Starbucks logo. You'll see a genuine Fiji Mermaid, try your hand at sketching sea creatures from historical descriptions, and discover how legends like the kraken helped sailors make sense of the unknown.

The centerpiece is “Medusa” — a stunning 26-foot giant squid sculpture by Greenport artist Cindy Pease Roe, made entirely from plastic debris collected from Long Island beaches. It's a striking piece that turns ocean pollution into something beautiful and unsettling, and it hangs right above you in the whaleboat gallery.

When: On view through Labor Day 2026 (September 7)
Where: The Whaling Museum, 301 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11 AM – 4 PM
Cost: Included with museum admission