In This Issue

Museum Design

Inside the Museum

Exhibit Spotlight

Fundraising Update

State-Wide Efforts

Important Links

Maritime Museum Website

UWF Creating Great Futures Campaign Website

Make a Gift

Dear Maritime Museum Friend,

Welcome to the inaugural issue of "Maritime Museum Currents." The purpose of this e-newsletter is to keep you abreast of the progress being made on the development of the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center. For more information or to provide feedback, please contact Aaron West, associate director of Development at UWF, at (850) 474-2758 or e-mail awest@uwf.edu.

MUSEUM DESIGN

Reminiscent of activity along Pensacola’s historic waterfront

Renowned museum architect Doug Mund has provided conceptual architectural designs for the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center. The result is a modern design that evokes memories of Pensacola’s historic bustling waterfront and wharfs. Designed to resemble a ship docking next to a traditional port building, visitors will see and begin experiencing the museum even prior to entry.

Working exclusively with museums for the past 26 years, Douglas Mund has lead and consulted on many of the leading museums nationally. “The State of Florida Maritime Museum is a wonderful opportunity to design a world-class museum from ground-up” says Mund. “The unique educational opportunities provided by the connection to UWF make this project very special.”

Click here to view conceptual design images

INSIDE THE MUSEUM

Over the last year, with assistance from scholars, input from the public, and support from businesses and individuals, a list of proposed exhibits has been established that will ensure a memorable experience for visitor’s of all ages.

Designing today’s museum exhibits takes much more than simply placing an artifact for visitor’s to view. Inside the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center, the latest technology will be used to successfully entertain visitors while developing a balance between leisure and learning. Through technology, guests of all ages will be transformed from passive viewers into participants through use of interactive devices.

Click here to view a list of exhibits proposed for the maritime museum.

EXHIBIT SPOTLIGHT

"The Ship's Bridge"

Imagine navigating a container ship through treacherous waterways and busy seaports. From the centuries old technique of celestial navigation to the use of GPS, visitors can learn methods of piloting their vessel. Then put your newly learned skills into action in our state-of-the-art Ship’s Bridge simulation.

Click here for details about this exhibit

Images are based on conceptual ideas. Actual space has not been determined.

FUNDRAISING UPDATE

Making steady progress!

Financial support for the State of Florida Maritime Museum continues to pour in. As of May 1, 2008, $10.5 million has been secured for construction of the facility.

Click here to read more about support for this exciting project.

STATE-WIDE EFFORTS

The Florida Legislature’s 2006 designation as the official State of Florida Maritime Museum opened up a vast source of artifacts and information that will eventually be housed at the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center. To capitalize on this designation, the University of West Florida recently contracted with John Ray of John Ray Consulting, Inc. to take our message across Florida. Located in Tallahassee, Ray will primarily focus on garnering support from Florida’s corporate citizens.