Fast Women, Hydroplane Racing on the Connecticut River: Amy Trout, Curator of the Connecticut River Museum will cover the era of speed racing on the Connecticut River during the first forty years of the Twentieth Century, before America’s entry into World War II. Technological innovation, hydroplane design and manufacture, women racers in a male-dominated sport, and all of the people involved in this sport; sponsors, designers, and racers will be discussed.

Hydroplane racing embodied innovation, speed, and change. The Speed exhibit encapsulates an activity reflective of America during the early 20th century: innovation, economic change, thirst for modernity, and expanding freedoms for women who could participate in male-dominated sports.

The Connecticut River … its long and peaceful past until the industrial revolution,followed by years of abuse, then partial recovery, and a bright outlook today.

Dick Shriver presents the last 12,000 years of the CT River to the present, with special attention to abuse of the river during and following the industrial revolution. He acknowledges those in government who established the present-day regulatory apparatus that has helped clean up the water in the river. Finally, he summarizes the good works currently underway for the long-term benefit of the environmental and ecological features of the river.

Dick Shriver has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering. He has held executive positions in government and industry having been assistant secretary of the US Treasury Department and Senior Vice President, Chase Manhattan Bank. He has been professor of business finance & marketing at the International Management Institute, Kiev, Ukraine. He is provost emeritus of the European College of Liberal Arts (now Bard College Berlin), and is currently head coach of girls’ varsity lacrosse at Old Saybrook High School.

Bucket List: Newport Bermuda Race, presented by the Cruising Club of America