Sharkey and the Seal College of Kingston

There’s Vassar, Marist, Bard, Dutchess and…the Seal College?

The Hudson Valley was once the home to not only a world-renowned Seal College, but the “greatest performing sea lion,” named Sharkey. 

Sharkey starred on Broadway, appeared in a Hollywood movie, at Radio City Music Hall, worked with Bob Hope, Ella Fitzgerald, and even the Three Stooges. He was also the highest-paid single animal act of his day. 

On Washington Avenue in Kingston – across from where Moonburger and the QuickChek gas station is located today – Seal College, built in 1939, was once the largest institute for training sea lions in the world. (California sea lions were often misidentified and called seals.)

Ideally located on the banks of the Esopus Creek, the facility would use pumps from the creek to fill the seals’ tanks, and the large indoor pool that was used to train the seals to balance both on land, and while swimming. 

And, yes, Seal College did hold graduations for its pinniped showbiz stars – complete with caps and gowns, and the sea lions receiving their diplomas on stage… and in their mouths. 

According to one local story: Back in the 1930s two girls swam from Albany to New York. It took them about a week to make the trip. When they reached Kingston Point, Mark Huling let Sharkey swim with them. Sharkey slipped his harness and took off. People spent the next two days trying to capture the wiley seal. After two days, Alf Walker of Port Ewen was able to lure the seal to his boat. Sharkey had had a good time of freedom, but he was ready to come home where he would be well fed (20 pounds of fish daily) and be among his friends.

Sharkey was buried on Hurley Avenue, and his predecessor Charlie, is buried on Green Street in Uptown Kingston. A memorial marker still stands noting Charlie’s final resting spot.

On Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 7pm, Stephen Blauweiss and Gary Bohan Jr. – the great-grandson of Sharkey's trainer, Mark Huling – will be talking about their forthcoming documentary, Sharkey and His Pals at the Cross Point Fellowship Center in Hurley. The presentation will also feature newly acquired footage as well as recent interviews recorded for the film. The event is free and open to attend. https://www.hurleyheritagesociety.org/posts/sharkey-and-his-pals/