Six Real Pirates Discussions

The Science Museum of Minnesota has invited experts from around the world to discuss the history of piracy, explore the facts vs. the myths of pirate life, discover the fascinating world of underwater exploration and archaeology, and more.

Free Discussion!
The Transatlantic Slave Trade - An Interpretation

Mahmoud El Kati: Lecturer, Writer, and Commentator on the African American experience
Thursday, March 15, 2012, 7-8:30 p.m.
Europe, Africa and the Caribbean were the three major trade ports that defined the Atlantic Triangle. It also was the harrowing journey of many forced into slavery. Historian and community leader, Mahmoud El-Kati, examines the effect of the economy on geopolitics and the people of this time and today.

The Golden Age of Piracy

Angus Konstam: Pirate Historian and Author of over 60 books
Thursday, March 29, 2012, 7-8:30 p.m.
The term "Golden Age of Piracy" was coined to cover the piratical heyday of the early 18th century, when Blackbeard, "Black Bart" Roberts, and Sam Bellamy all sailed the seas in search of plunder. Internationally renowned pirate expert Angus Konstam lifts the lid on what exactly lay behind the dramatic upsurge of piracy during these key years, when America was plagued by some of the most notorious pirates in history.

Female Pirates and Other Seafaring Women

Lisa Norling: University of Minnesota History Professor, Author of books Iron Man, Wooden Women: Gender and Seafaring in the Atlantic World, and Captain Ahab Had a Wife
Thursday, April 12, 2012, 7-8:30 p.m.
Avast, Captain Jack Sparrow! Dr. Lisa Norling goes past the "Pirates of the Caribbean" stereotypes to uncover the surprising true stories of seafaring women during the Age of Sail; from cutthroat female pirates to daring and transgressive "female sailors bold."

Pirates in the Archaeological Record

Russell Skowronek: Marine Archeologist, Professor of History and Anthropology, University of Texas - Pan American, Author
Thursday, May 3, 2012, 7-8:30 p.m.
How do you tell a profiteer from a buccaneer from a pirate? It's a process of recovery, analysis, and conservation. Dr. Russell Skowronek takes us through the life of an underwater archeologist, searching for buried history.

The History and Recovery of the Whydah

Barry Clifford: Underwater Explorer, Author, and Discoverer of the Whydah
Thursday, May 24, 2012, 7-8:30 p.m.
Explore the history of the Whydah, the first pirate shipwreck ever discovered. Underwater explorer Barry Clifford will describe the career of this legendary pirate ship as both a slave ship and a pirate vessel, its wreck in a violent storm off the coast of Cape Cod, and his ongoing work to recover its treasures and secrets, thereby "shedding new light on a lost age."

Sponsored by

Hollywood and Pirates: Truth vs. Legend

Benerson Little: Author and Historian
Thursday, June 28, 2012, 7-8:30 p.m.
Peg legs, talking parrots, buried treasure and the eye patch—which one of these things is historically accurate to the life of a pirate? Find out with our guest speaker, Benerson Little, as he reveals what is pirate legend and how Hollywood has shaped our modern image of a pirate's life on the high seas.

Ticket Prices (per discussion)

• Non Members: $12
• Science Museum Members: $10
• Students: $8
• Limited Income Great Tix Discount: $8

Special Offer:
Buy any 4 discussions - Receive 1 FREE voucher to the Real Pirates exhibition

To purchase tickets or to register for the free discussion, call (651) 221-9444 or (800) 221-9444.

This event does not include admission into the Real Pirates exhibition. Special ticket prices are available for the exhibition before the discussion; call (651) 221-9444 for more details.