Miriam MacMillan facts for kids

Miriam Norton Look MacMillan (born June 13, 1905, died August 18, 1987) was an amazing American explorer. She was also a sailor, author, speaker, and photographer.

From 1937, she went on nine trips to the Arctic. She was the main photographer on these trips. They sailed on a ship called the Bowdoin to places like Labrador and West Greenland. They even got close to the North Pole!

In 1948, she wrote a book about her adventures called Green Seas and White Ice. It told the story of her trips from 1937 to 1939.

Miriam took thousands of photos during her expeditions. She also recorded Inuktitut songs and films of Umiak sailors. Later, she helped organize these and Inuit art for the Peary–MacMillan Arctic Museum.

Early Life and Sailing Adventures

Miriam Norton Look was born in Clinton, Massachusetts, on June 13, 1905. Her father, Moses Jerome Look, was a civil engineer. He built dams. Her mother was Amy G. Wood Look. Miriam's grandfather was a sea captain.

Meeting "Uncle Dan"

As a child, Miriam's parents often had a friend visit them. His name was Donald MacMillan. Miriam called him "Uncle Dan." Donald MacMillan would visit between his trips to the Arctic. He always brought Miriam a special gift. These gifts were often ivory figurines or beaded crafts. They were tokens from his adventures in the North. Miriam and Donald also wrote letters to each other.

Sailing the Sea Pup

Miriam's father loved sailing. He owned a 25-foot motorboat called the Sea Dog. When Miriam was a teenager, her father gave her her own boat. She named her new 25-foot motorboat the Sea Pup. She also had a rowboat that she called the Poodle. Miriam loved sailing her Sea Pup around the islands of Maine.

One day, while sailing, she saw Donald MacMillan's ship. It was the 88-foot Bowdoin schooner. It had stopped near Bustins Island. Miriam drove her Sea Pup over to him. She asked if he needed a ride. Donald said yes because he had a dinner date. But then, Miriam's boat ran out of gas! Donald MacMillan was half an hour late for his dinner. Even so, he was very impressed with Miriam's "expert control" of the motorboat.

Marriage to Donald MacMillan

On March 18, 1935, Miriam Norton Look married Donald Baxter MacMillan. Miriam was 29 years old. Donald was 61 years old.

Miriam MacMillan passed away on August 18, 1987. She was buried in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Arctic Expeditions

MacMillan traveled on 9 Arctic voyages in the Bowdoin schooner, and later worked towards its restoration

In 1937, Miriam MacMillan wanted to travel to Nunainguk. This was an Inuit town. Her husband, Donald, agreed. But she had to get to nearby Hopedale without his help. Miriam agreed to race him there. While Donald sailed, Miriam traveled by train and mail carrier. She reached Hopedale days before him.

Before Donald arrived, Miriam learned Inuktitut. She also made Inuit clothing. She asked local Inuit people to tell her stories about Donald MacMillan. When Donald finally arrived, he mistook Miriam and her friend for Inuit women!

Photographer and Recorder

Miriam was a photographer and audio recorder on nine of Donald MacMillan's Arctic trips. They sailed on the Bowdoin schooner. They visited places like Labrador, Baffin Island, and West Greenland.

In 1939, she took a portrait photograph of her husband. He was on the Bowdoin, wearing his Captain's hat. He was holding a puppy named Kahda.

A 1947 photo shows Miriam on the Bowdoin schooner. She was using a wire recording device. She used it to record Inuktitut languages.

Another photo from 1948 shows Miriam at the wheel of the Bowdoin schooner. She was in Northwest Greenland. Her camera tripod was right beside her.

Lasting Contributions

Miriam MacMillan made many important contributions. Samuel Edmund Oppenheim painted a picture of her.

On June 13, 1954, Miriam and her husband were on the front page of the Boston Sunday Herald.

In 1967, she became an honorary curator. This means she helped care for the Peary–MacMillan Arctic Museum.

Preserving Arctic History

From about 1970 to 1980, Miriam worked hard. She collected and organized thousands of photos and slides. She also gathered Inuit art. Her collection included wire recordings of Inuktitut language and songs. These items are now kept at Bowdoin College library. Miriam also played a key role in fixing up the Bowdoin schooner.

In 1980, Bowdoin College gave Miriam an honorary Doctor of Science degree. This was a special award.

In 1981, she became a member of The Explorers Club. This is a group for famous explorers.

In 2010, Miriam MacMillan was honored in Brunswick, Maine. She was added to the Brunswick Women's History Walking Trail. This trail celebrates important women from the area.

Books by Miriam MacMillan

• Green Seas and White Ice (1948), a true story about her travels.
• Etuk, the Eskimo Hunter (1950), a children's story inspired by Inuit culture.
• Kudla and His Polar Bear (1953), another children's story inspired by Inuit culture.

Images for kids

• Miriam MacMillan on the Bowdoin using a wire recorder.jpg

  Miriam MacMillan using a wire recording device on the Bowdoin schooner in 1947.

• Miriam MacMillan at the wheel of the Bowdoin, Northwest Greenland, 1948.jpg

  Miriam MacMillan at the wheel of the Bowdoin schooner, Northwest Greenland, 1948.