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For nearly 30 years, Peter J. Fromm has been sharing his passion for the sea through photography, writing and storytelling. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (majoring in photography) from Ohio University and a Masters of Science from the University of Oregon, where he designed the Interdisciplinary Studies Program that combines audio-visual communication with environmental education and recreation programming. Fromm is also a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton licensed Master and has served as captain and naturalist aboard whale watching boats in the San Juan Islands since 1973. Fromm has self published two volumes of Whale Tales: Human Interactions with Whales, unique anthologies regarding human encounters with whales.
Marine Transportation History
The inland waters of the Pacific Northwest were home to Native American seafaring cultures for thousands of years. The arrival of white settlers in the mid 1800's began a development of mass transportation; as well as moving mail, freight and livestock, which continues in the region today. Because of the thick forests, waterways were used for decades before roads were built. It was the time of change from sail to steam powered ships through out the world. Side and stern wheel steam boats plied the waters stopping wherever communities sprouted. The invention of the screw propeller made paddle wheel boats obsolete. Steam was created by burning wood, then coal was sued, and then oil.
Boats were built by families, and in dozens of shipyards on the mainland and islands. Marine transportation businesses were started all over, creating new competition. Commuters, people with produce, family visits, sightseers, day trip outings on weekends and holidays- everyone in the area traveled by boat- no trains or cars. As the population grew, the modes of transportation changes, roads and bridges were made, eliminating ferry runs. A virtual monopoly on this service was purchased by the State of Washington in 1953, made part of the Department of Transportation, and grew into the Ferry System we know today.
Audience: elementary through adult
Requirements: none
Whale Tales, Human Interactions with Whales
From earliest recorded history, cetaceans have fascinated humans. Petroglyphs from Stone Age, Minoan mosaics, and Roman vases clearly depict whales, dolphins and porpoises. Today, after hundreds of years of commercial whaling and the extinction and near-extinction of many species, cetaceans still grab our attention- witness the millions of people who go whale watching each year, the monthly television specials and frequent newspaper and magazine articles about whales, dolphins and porpoises. Since 1994, Peter Fromm has been documenting human encounters with whales. He shares these stories of human/whale interaction in a slide and video show presentation and asks the audience to relate their own experiences with whales. Fromm also gives examples of the changing relationship between humans and whales, and discusses the natural history of cetaceans.
Audience: all ages
Requirements: Kodak carousal projector and screen, VCR and monitor, medium sized table
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