In this presentation, attendees will learn details about the planning, construction, and operation of the longest wooden vessel ever built, and the shipyard that launched it. Anecdotes of its builders and crew will add personal flavor, emphasizing the people who made Wyoming possible. These human stories complement vessel engineering and construction, contextualizing the industry within broader social, cultural, and environmental perspectives.

Luke Gates-Milardo is Director of Exhibits & Learning at Maine Maritime Museum. Luke designed and managed the interpretive refresh of the historic Percy & Small Shipyard; directs the coordination, design, and fabrication of exhibits; and oversees the museum’s educational programming. He holds a certificate in Exhibition Design from Pratt Institute, a bachelor of arts in English and Education from Bowdoin College, and a Maine State teaching certificate.