Annapolis
Maritime Museum |
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Preserving
and teaching 400 years of maritime history |
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| Volume 3,
Issue 4 |
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| Newsletter |
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| USS
Constellation returns to Annapolis
More than 300 Museum supporters attended a gala reception held aboard the historic vessel USS Constellation on Saturday, October 30, which raised nearly $36,000 to benefit the Annapolis Maritime Museum and the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse. The Constellation, launched in 1854, was the last all-sail ship built by the U.S. Navy and the only vessel still afloat that served during the Civil War. She served as a training vessel at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1869 to 1893. She was restored from 1996 to 1999, and has since been open to the public in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. She visited Annapolis as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of her launch. The benefit was sponsored by Constellation Energy, Eastport Yacht Center, Weems & Plath, Jaguar/Land Rover of Annapolis, Cummins Power Systems, River Crest Design/ Build, with help from Legg Mason, Three Centuries Tours, Towne Transport, Hard Bean Coffee & Booksellers, the Boatyard Bar & Grill, Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits, Oliver’s Ale, and Breeze Cuisine. Entertainment was provided by Caryl P. Weiss and the Ship’s Company , who sang authentic sea shanties in period costumes, and the Spa Creek Swing Band.
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And that’s just what we’re going to do at our Annual Meeting at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts on Monday, December 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. I hope you can join me and the rest of the Board of Directors, our dedicated staff and our many volunteers, for some good cheer as well as some great news about what’s in store for the Museum, including an update on the restoration of the McNasby Oyster Company building as well as that National Landmark, the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse. There will be good food, good music, and good friends on hand to help us celebrate. We’ll also take this opportunity to thank the generous sponsors of our events, the organizations that have supported our projects and programs through grants, and, perhaps most important, our many wonderful volunteers who, together, have donated more than 6,000 hours of their time, energy and talent to the cause. And that leads me to my next topic: your financial support. If your copy of this newsletter arrived in your mailbox with a blue stripe on the address label, then it’s time for you to renew your membership for 2005. And since it’s the end of the year, it’s also time to consider making a gift to the Museum that reflects your enthusiasm for what we’re striving so hard to accomplish: to bring to Annapolis and Anne Arundel County a world-class facility that will inspire our kids, fascinate our visitors, and help our citizens discover, preserve and celebrate our maritime heritage. Take a moment to review an abbreviated version of our Annual Report on the next page. There are some pretty amazing statistics that show a dramatic growth in membership and volunteers. You’ll also see a responsible and business-like management of income and expenditures, with funds set aside to produce upcoming exhibits and programs like “Oysters on the Half Shell,” the “Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Experience,” and “We All Came by Water: the Maritime Heritage of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County.” Still, there are challenges ahead. We need to get the AMM Campus restored and functioning, and we can’t do it without your support. Come to the Annual Meeting on December 6 and we’ll tell you more. We’ll see you there! Buck |
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2004 AMM Annual Report reveals dramatic growth trends for future This has been an astronomically successful year by any standards, despite the fact that the Annapolis Maritime Museum has essentially been “homeless” since the AMM campus was devastated by Hurricane Isabel in September, 2003. Here’s evidence of AMM’s gains in income, the dramatic growth inmembership, the number of volunteers and their contribution of time and talent, and trends of income vs. expenditures. Note that in the 2004 Expenditures chart on the bottom left, there is a significant portion of our current budget set aside to fund upcoming exhibits and programs such as “Oysters on the Half Shell,” which will illuminate the natural history as well as the cultural history of this once ubiquitous bivalve; “The Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Experience,” including an introductory video and exhibit for those who can’t make it out to the light itself; and “We All Came by Water: the Maritime Heritage of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County;” as well as an update of the award-winning “Eastport Walking Tour.” |
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Join
AMM Board & Staff for Holiday Cheer & a preview of the great
year ahead
AMM will host its Annual Meeting on Monday, December 6, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. Join the Board of Directors and the staff for a celebration of the past year and an exciting glimpse of the year ahead. Chairman Buck Buchanan and Director Jeff Holland will provide a brief outline of the Museum campus renovation under weigh and the preparations for visits to the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, as well as other dynamic exhibits, programs and events in store for 2005. “This will be a chance to thank our hard-working volunteers and our many sponsors and supporters,” Buchanan notes. There will also be an election of the 2005 slate of officers. “Join us for a celebration of good friends with good food and good fun!” RSVP by email at ammoffice@annapolismaritimemuseum.org or by calling 410-295-0104. |
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AMM excellence recognized by Historic Annapolis Foundation, Four Rivers Heritage Area & AA County Trust for Preservation “Peg has received many award and honors for her great efforts,” said Will Mumford, Chairman of the Anne Arundel County Trust for Preservation. “She has truly been a guiding light for the Annapolis Maritime Museum.” HAF also recognized Bruce Morse for his restoration work on AMM’s Herbie Sadler exhibit and the Museum’s collection of wooden boats. Four Rivers presented four awards for AMM initiatives and partnerships, including the Summer Maritime Concert Series and the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Consortium. AMM’s partnership with other Four Rivers organizations was also recognized for Educational Interpretation. Jane Cox, AMM Board member and manager of the Thomas Point project, was recognized as the Four Rivers area top Heritage Professional for her work in Anne Arundel County Cultural Resources.
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| Monday, December 6 — AMM Annual Meeting. Join the AMM Board and staff for Holiday Cheer, a review of 2004 and a preview of 2005. 6-8 p.m. at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. Free Admission. Please RSVP 410-295-0104 or ammoffice@annapolismaritimemuseum.org Wednesday, February 2 — AMM Maritime Lecture Series. Caryl P. Weiss presents “Sea Shanties 101: She Sings Sea Shanties by the Seashore.” Learn the basics of shantying from capstan shanties to halyard shanties to pump shanties from this talented Annapolis folk singer and Admiral in the Texas Navy. Those who fail to sing along will be keel-hauled. Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 7-8 p.m. Free Admission. Wednesday, February 16 — AMM Maritime Lecture Series. “Tonging for Freedom: Black Oystermen & Economic Autonomy on the Chesapeake,” by Dr. Roger Davidson, Jr., Assistant Professor at Coppin State University. Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts,7-8 p. m. Free Admission. Thursday, January 20 — AMM Volunteer Orientation Reception. Stop by the EPA Conference Room at Annapolis City Marina, 410 Severn Avenue in Eastport, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Enjoy refreshments while learning how to contribute your time & talent to AMM’s many upcoming exciting programs. RSVP Mary LaLonde, 410-295-0104. Free Admission. Saturday, January 22 — Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Preservation Training. (Day-long session for new volunteers). Site TBA. Advanced registration required. Contact Anne Puppa at anne.puppa@erols.com. Free Admission. Wednesday, March 2 — AMM Maritime Lecture Series. Larry S. Chowning will discuss his book, Chesapeake Bay Buyboats. Few of these traditional working vessels are still afloat. Originally converted from schooners, buyboats traveled the Bay purchasing seafood from watermen in smaller workboats and quickly running it directly to market at places like Annapolis City Dock. Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 7-8 p.m. Free Admission. Monday, March 7 — 8 to 10 p.m. Second Annual Irish Night at Galway Bay to benefit AMM featuring “Them Irish O’Boys” (aka Them Eastport Oyster Boys). Admission. RSVP 410-295-0104. Wednesday, March 16 — AMM Maritime Lecture Series. John Sherwood, world-class sailor and member of the Annapolis Maritime Hall of Fame, will discuss the history of Big Boat Racing on the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 7-8 p.m. Free Admission. Friday, March 18 — Burning of the Socks. The Vernal Equinox occurs at 5:03 p.m., EST (Eastport Standard Time), so blow out your winter blues with this annual Rite of Spring at the Barge House Beach. Free Admission (bring your own socks). Wednesday,
March 30 — AMM Maritime Lecture Series. Jane Cox
will discuss the history of the Thomas
Point Shoal Lighthouse, its restoration under the
aegis of the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society,
and the Museum’s plans to open this historic landmark to visitors.
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 7-8 p.m. Free
Admission. |
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| Holiday Gifts available through AMM: Call 410-295-0104 to order
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Volunteers needed for Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse renovations The Thomas Point Light was illuminated for the first time on November 20, 1875, making her 129 years old. Next year, there will be a proper celebration for her 130th birthday party. Meanwhile, work is in progress towards opening the Lighthouse to the public in May of 2005. The screwpile cottage has been cleaned out of all Coast Guard debris and reconstruction of the landing deck is underway. In order to prepare volunteers needed to help with this work, there will be two training sessions in the upcoming months. The first will focus on training volunteers to conduct preservation work under the supervision of the U.S. Lighthouse Society. The second will be to train volunteers to act as docents or tour guides on board the light under the supervision of the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The US Lighthouse Society has scheduled the day-long training session with a preservation specialist from the National Park Service for January 22nd. Please contact Anne Puppa at anne.puppa@erols.com to sign up for the session. Anne will want to know your particular area of skills so she can schedule work sessions efficiently. As a limited number of personnel can be aboard each day, sign up early and plan on attending the preservation training class. Those with the training class under their belt will be given priority for preservation slots.
Lead tours of Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Volunteers will also be needed to lead tour groups of 15 to 20 guests out to the lighthouse. There will be several tours per day on weekends and at least one on Friday evenings and for special events. Docents will be asked to commit to working a minimum of two shifts per month. In order to participate, potential docents must attend two training sessions, tentatively scheduled for Thursday evenings in March and April. These training sessions will include extensive details on the lighthouse history, keepers, architecture, and engineering. Basic safety and tour guide training will be offered, including a suggested script or outline for conducting tours. Please check with AMM Volunteer Coordinator Mary LaLonde at 410-295-0104 for more information. AMM is also looking for marketing and promotional support for the Lighthouse Tours. These volunteer positions will include coordinating and implementing outreach activities, preparing literature and press releases, talking with adult and student groups about the Lighthouse and tour availability, and developing parameters and coordinating special events on board the light. There’s also a need for someone with a background in safety training or OSHA implementation to help make sure the Lighthouse Experience is a safe and enjoyable one. If you have skills that suit any of these positions, please contact AMM’s Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse project coordinator Jane Cox at thomaspoint@12283.com to see how you can get involved. For more information, log on to www.annapolismaritimemuseum.org or www.tplsh.com. |
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Passport to Discovery guidebook earns Four Rivers heritage award
The children’s guide book, My Annapolis Adventure: Passport to Discovery, published by the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and the Annapolis Department of Transportation, won an award for Best Children’s Interpretation at the First Annual Four Rivers Heritage Awards in November. The publication features illustrations by Annapolis historian and artist Ginger Doyel. The publication was funded by a grant from Four Rivers, the Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town & South County with additional help from Annapolis Bank & Trust. The Annapolis Maritime Museum is one of eighteen historic attractions featured in the book. Copies can be found at any of the sites included or at the Annapolis Department of Transportation, 308 Chinquapin Round Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. For more fun for kids in Annapolis, visit www.annapolis.gov/fun4kids. |
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Your 2005 AMM dues are now due! Renew today!
This is an exciting time to be part of the Museum, with the adoption of the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, the renovation of the McNasby Oyster Company building and the Museum campus. There’s also the development of the “Oysters on the Half Shell” exhibit, as well as great upcoming programs like the winter Maritime Lecture series and the Summertime Lunchtime Maritime Concert series. And we’re planning special programs to bring our maritime heritage to life for our school children as well. If the address label on the cover of this newsletter has a blue stripe down the side, it’s time to renew your membership. Please use the enclosed return-addressed envelope to send in your 2005 dues. Check off your level of support, from $25 on up, and enclose a check payable to the Annapolis Maritime Museum, or include your Visa or MasterCard number, expiration date, and phone number. If you have the need or the means to make a large donation for this year, but want to spread your actual gift over time, consider setting up a Donor Advised Fund. A DAF is when you place cash or appreciated assets into a pool of investment funds of your choosing. You get an immediate deduction for the calendar year. Then you can direct the administrator to send donations to any charity in any amounts until the funds are exhausted. The funds may be in the DAF for an indefinite time. For more information on this or other ways to donate to the museum, please call the office at 410-295-0104. If you’ve
picked up this newsletter at one of our many events, there’s
a convenient form on the back page you can fill out, tear off, and
mail in with your contribution. Thank you for your support! We can’t
do it without you. |
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The
Annapolis Maritime Museum is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization |
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L.B.
"Buck" Buchanan, Chairman of the Board Board Members
Jane Cox, Program Committee, Thomas Point Lighthouse
Project Manager Crew Teresa
Dowd, Project Coordinator Annapolis
Maritime Museum 410 295-0104 ammoffice@annapolismaritimemuseum.org |
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As
we bring this eventful year to a close, we can look back and count
our many accomplishments and look forward to the many exciting goals
we have to accomplish us in the year ahead.
Wednesday,
January 19 — AMM Maritime Lecture Series.
Jonathan Doherty, Director of the Chesapeake
Bay Gateways Network, will discuss the Network’s
140 unique sites, including the Annapolis Maritime Museum and City
Dock, and the National Park Service’s plans for enhancing
the Network partners’ capacity to tell the story and preserve
the resources of the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland Hall for the Creative
Arts, 7-8 p.m. Free Admission. 
If
you’ve just received this newsletter in the mail, congratulations!
You’re a valued member of one of the most dynamic community
service organizations in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. The
Annapolis Maritime Museum is growing fast, and it’s all because
of your caring and support.