Plans for the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center are well underway. The design and construction of this world-class venue has been bolstered by recent gifts from museum friends. To date, $10.5 million has been secured toward the established $18 million construction cost. A $2.25 million gift from Quint and Rishy Studer will support construction of the Maritime Museum and a $1 million commitment from the Lamar-Switzer-Reilly families will create the interactive C.W. Lamar Ocean Tank, a 135,000 gallon aquarium that will allow visitors to actively communicate with divers and participate in underwater archaeology demonstrations.

A visit to the Florida Maritime Museum will enable visitors to connect to the past through innovative technology of the future. Owned and operated by UWF, the museum will offer strong connections to educational programs for the community, including K through 12. This museum will showcase artifacts from the past, but also display advanced technology of the future, as it will be an integral part of the design of the museum and the exhibits.

To learn more about the museum or to make a gift, visit uwf.edu/maritime/gift/gift.cfm or contact Aaron West, associate director of development for UWF, at (850) 857-6111 or e-mail awest@uwf.edu.