Exploring The Depths: The Incredible World Of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Come with us to explore the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth, MA
Transcript
00:00Coming into this destination there is a swing bridge that you may have to wait
00:25for. That's kind of like a drawbridge except it swings sideways.
00:37Your destination is on the left. Parking is an exceptionally difficult process
00:44however we lucked out and we did find a spot.
00:50Welcome back to another exciting episode. Today we are at Woods Hole
00:56Oceanographic Institute in Falmouth Massachusetts. So come along with us and
01:01see what we can see. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute is the world's
01:07premier independent organization dedicated exclusively to ocean research,
01:12technology and education. Other than a beautiful landscape there's plenty to do
01:19here. Many many museums and some awesome restaurants and so much more. Let me show
01:27you what I mean. Exploring the area and seeing the interesting architectures we
01:37came across the Robert W Pierce Exhibit Center which is also a gift shop. Here
01:44you learn about the Marine Biological Laboratory and it's named in memory of
01:51Robert W Pierce, a former trustee of the laboratory who enjoyed sharing the
01:57Marine Biological Laboratory story with his many friends and colleagues. Colorful
02:04exhibits designed for all ages tell the story of the Marine Biological Laboratory
02:12and its impact on life sciences. There are some live animals, some underwater
02:20video footage, a hands-on microscope, an interactive squid. All are part of the
02:28visitor experience plus quite a few things more. We also came across a really
02:35cool aquarium called the Woods Hole Science Aquarium. Its biggest name to
02:42fame is that it was established in 1875 making it the country's oldest public
02:51aquarium. It displays approximately 80 species of marine animals found in
02:58Northeast and Mid-Atlantic US waters. The aquarium is designed for self-guided
03:05tours of the main exhibits and a behind-the-scenes look at aquarium
03:10operations. At the time of our visit they were open Tuesday through Saturday from
03:1511 a.m. to 4 p.m. and they were closed Sunday, Monday and all federal holidays.
03:21It is wheelchair accessible at the aquarium's first floor and the seal
03:28enclosure area. But if you want to go to the second floor where you see the
03:32behind-the-scenes area and visit the touch tank, you do have to notify the
03:37reception desk that you need wheelchair accessible assistance. In addition to the
03:42animals of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic waters, they also have
03:47exhibit cases with bones, skulls and teeth. And of course information about
03:56Woods Hole Science and History, Fishery Science, Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles and
04:04Local Fish Species. And in case you were wondering, the second floor touch tanks
04:10do have small fish, crabs, sea stars, whelks, shells and egg casings. As mentioned
04:19before they do have a harbor seal habitat. At the time we were there
04:24unfortunately it was right after feeding so they weren't very active but it was
04:28still kind of cool. We got a little hungry so we stopped by the Captain Kidd
04:34restaurant which supposedly has been open since 1849. You can witness the
04:41history of this place through their 40-foot mahogany bar which was hand
04:47carved in the Bowery of New York City in 1865. And through the prominent pirate
04:54mural which was painted by the famous local artist Joe Moran in 1939. This
05:03year-round eatery doles out seafood centric pub grub with a view of the pond
05:09and nautical themed digs. One of the must-do things to check out is the Ocean
05:17Science Discovery Center. This is a research facility with public exhibits
05:23about marine life, ocean exploration and the Titanic recovery. And here's my
05:31friend to tell you a little bit more about it. The Woods Hole Oceanographic
05:36Institution's overall mission is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the
05:39ocean and its connection with the earth system through a sustained commitment to
05:43excellence in science, engineering and education and to the application of this
05:47knowledge to problems facing society. The ocean is a defining feature of our
05:52planet and crucial to life on earth yet it remains one of the planet's last
05:56unexplored frontiers. For this reason the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
06:01scientists and engineers are committed to understanding all facets of the ocean
06:04as well as its complex connections with Earth's atmosphere, land, ice, seafloor and
06:10life including humanity. This is essential not only to advance knowledge
06:15about our planet but also to ensure society's long-term welfare and to help
06:19guide human stewardship of the environment. Their researchers are also
06:23dedicated to training future generations of ocean science leaders to providing
06:27unbiased information that informs public policy and decision-making and to
06:31expanding public awareness about the importance of the global ocean and its
06:35resources. At its founding in 1930 the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
06:40joined a thriving ocean science community in the village of Woods Hole
06:43Massachusetts that included the Marine Biological Laboratory and the National
06:47Marine Fisheries Service. At the time the world was only a little more than 50
06:52years removed from the first efforts to systematically study the ocean. One of
06:57their greatest contributions came even before a single building was constructed.
07:01As a result of the discussions and correspondence that surrounded planning
07:05the institution scientists formed a vision for oceanography that foresaw
07:09experts from many fields working together on questions related to the
07:12global ocean. One that continues to the present day. The turn of the decade brought
07:18profound change to oceanography. During the war the US Navy realized that many
07:23of its operations were intimately dependent on the environment in which
07:26ships operate and oceanographers found themselves consulted more frequently on
07:31matters of national defense. After the war there was a period of uncertainty
07:35about oceanography's future. For a while it appeared that the institution might
07:40return to the pre-war routine of busy summers and quiet winters. But both the
07:45direction of oceanography as a science and its economic situation had changed
07:49as had the demand for advanced research in the United States.
07:53Well thank you Davis for that great bunch of information. And if you happen to have a
07:58little bit of extra time drive down the road to the Nopska Lighthouse. At least I
08:04believe that's how it's pronounced. In 1829 this was the first lighthouse on
08:10the Nopska Point at the confluence of Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds. In 1876
08:19there was the Housekeeper's House and a 40-foot tall cast-iron lighthouse tower
08:26was built on the spot. And in 1888 the Frenzel lens was upgraded to a fourth
08:34order lens that is still in place today. Unfortunately it was close at the day
08:40that we were there. But boy were the views beautiful. And I believe across the
08:47way that is Martha's Vineyard. We don't make enough money to go over there. And
08:55that about does it for today's adventures. I hope you come back to view
09:02our future episodes. But until then, as always, have a great day!