Something magical happens when you combine a pair of human hands and a piece of wood.

If you’re at Mystic Seaport, you can see how a seemingly ordinary piece of white pine might be transformed into an angel or demon figurehead to be attached to the prow of a sailing vessel. Or, the magic might come from the carving of name boards, trail boards or stern boards for ships. The wooden transformations may also result in shop signs, tobacconists’ figures, and decorations meant for the home.

It’s all in the hands and skill of the wood carver and can be explored at the Shipcarver’s Shop at Mystic Seaport.