Walter Cronkite Narrates —

‘Connecticut & The Sea’ On CPTV

HARTFORD — Did you know that before Europeans settled in Connecticut, the Pequots and Mohegans had thriving maritime trade centers on the coast? Were you aware that the man who discovered Antarctica in 1820 — Captain Nathaniel Palmer — hailed from Stonington? Do you recall that whaling and shipbuilding once were among the state’s major industries?

Connecticut & the Sea, a new 90-minute documentary, provides a sweeping look at the many different ways the sea has influenced Connecticut’s history, economy and culture. The documentary will premiere on Wednesday, May 24, from 8 to 9:30 pm, on Connecticut Public Television (CPTV). The program will air also on Saturday, May 27, at 11:30 am, and Sunday, May 28, at 4 pm.

CPTV can be seen on Charter Communications channel 12.

Veteran broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite introduces and narrates Connecticut & the Sea, which is produced by CPTV and the Connecticut Humanities Council in association with Mystic Seaport, the Museum of America and the Sea. The documentary is part of “The Connecticut Experience” series.

“Connecticut’s people have always aggressively found new ways and new industries to exploit the sea’s bounty, pursue adventure on and under its surface, and enjoy its vast beauty. It is a steadily unfolding story of boundless possibilities met by extraordinary ingenuity,” Mr Cronkite says in his introduction to the documentary. “Through new ideas and technologies, fishery development, naval defense and exploration, Connecticut’s continuing connection to the sea helped not only to build the state, but also played a large part in America’s maritime story.”

“Even if you never go fishing or boating or to the beach, I think Connecticut & the Sea will intrigue you with its raft of salty characters and briny stories,” said Ken Simon, the Emmy award-winning producer of the program. “In addition to fresh insights into familiar state history such as whaling and submarine building, there are many stories we tell that are largely unknown. These are tales of people, places, industries and trades that helped influence the state’s early history and in many cases still touch our lives today.”

“The Connecticut Experience” is an ongoing series of television documentaries and radio reports that explores Connecticut’s rich history and culture. It is a project made possible through a partnership of the Connecticut Humanities Council and Connecticut Public Television & Radio.