Step aboard the storied schooner BOWDOIN with Captain Graham McKay for an evening of adventure, history, and firsthand accounts of Arctic exploration. Designed by legendary explorer Donald MacMillan, BOWDOIN has spent more than a century braving some of the world’s most formidable waters. McKay, a seasoned tall ship captain and master boatbuilder, will recount his experiences navigating Greenland’s rugged coastline, steering through towering icebergs, and engaging with remote Arctic communities.

Captain Graham McKay is a master boatbuilder, maritime historian, and seasoned tall ship captain with a lifelong passion for traditional watercraft and exploration. As the director of Lowell’s Boat Shop, the oldest continuously operating boat shop in America and a National Historic Landmark, he is dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of wooden boatbuilding.

McKay’s seafaring experience spans the globe, from captaining historic vessels to navigating Arctic waters aboard the legendary schooner Bowdoin. His background includes work as a commercial diver, fisherman, and fisheries scientist, giving him a deep understanding of both maritime history and the practical challenges of life at sea. He holds a master’s degree in Maritime History and Archaeology from the University of Bristol and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard College.

Whether restoring historic boats, sailing through ice-laden waters, or sharing maritime heritage with new generations, McKay’s work bridges the past and present, keeping the legacy of traditional craftsmanship and exploration alive.