Historical Society speaker to focus on whaling

In recent years, the Johnston Historical Society has developed a reputation for having a variety of special speakers at its monthly meetings.

However, the scheduled May 31 meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. inside the non-profit’s Museum Barn at 101 Putnam Pike in Johnston, may just raise the bar a notch or two.

“There is lots and lots of interest as well as talk among our members concerning next week’s guest speaker,” said Anthony Ursillo. “He certainly has an interesting résumé, to say the least.”

Even Ursillo said that may have been an understatement, given the fact that Peter Hacunda, who has extensive experience in marketing and sales and enjoys indulging in art, has conducted tours of Alcatraz Island on behalf of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. However, when Hacunda visits the JHS next week on May 31, he won’t be talking about the infamous and now closed prison or anything close.

Hacunda, who lives in Providence with his wife Teresa, will explore the extraordinary business of whaling in 19th century New Bedford with consideration given to the challenges, adventures, fortunes and misfortunes of the myriad of people involved in the industry.

“His presentation promises to be quite unique,” Ursillo noted. “Peter is a tour guide with the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and offers a wealth of history and knowledge about the industry during his visit next week.”

The presentation, which Ursillo said is billed as “Risky Business: New Bedford in Whaling Days,” will trace whaling from its roots in Quaker Nantucket to its transition to the mainland, where the business of whaling made New Bedford the wealthiest city in American.

“Peter will focus on why, how and where whales were hunted and what life was like aboard a whaleship,” Ursillo explained. “He’ll also talk about the men who went a-whaling and consider the circumstances of the people living and working in New Bedford during whaling times.”

Hacunda is also expected to weave a bit about the legendary Herman Melville as well as whaling’s connection to the Washington Monument, Hubble Space Telescope and Alcatraz. Ultimately, he’ll determine who the winners and losers were in the risky business of whaling.

“He’s definitely an interesting man,” Ursillo said. “This is his 10th year leading walking tours at the New Bedford Whaling National Park and he has conducted tours of Newport’s historic mansions with the Preservation Society of Newport County and served as first mate on Providence’s land-and-sea Splash Duck Tours.

Hacunda is currently studying in the graduate history program at the University of Rhode Island and in recent summers he has spent time as a scholar at the Mystic Seaport’s Munson Institute of American Maritime Studies. He holds a BA in management from UMass Boston and a marketing MBA from the University of Cincinnati.