National Coast Guard Museum Coming to Life
New London, Connecticut (PRWEB) November 13, 2014 -- The board of directors of the National Coast Guard Museum Association reviewed and approved new renderings of the building that will encompass all facets of the United States Coast Guard – land, sea and air. The Museum will take full advantage of its location on the New London, Connecticut waterfront by incorporating a pier for America’s tall ship Coast Guard Cutter Barque Eagle and soar to the skies with Coast Guard aircraft on the rooftop. Architects from PAYETTE and exhibit designers from Gallagher & Associates are in place to personify the United States Coast Guard of the past, the present and the future.
“This design engages the museum structure with the New London waterfront site and includes the Barque Eagle as an integral part of the Coast Guard Museum experience,” stated James J. Coleman, Jr., Chairman of the Board for the National Coast Guard Museum Association, Inc.
This second phase of the design process adds aircraft exhibits on the rooftop deck of the building, as well as outdoor exhibit space in Waterfront Park and adjacent docks. As the drawings illustrate, visitors will get to know the missions and heroes of the U.S. Coast Guard both indoors and out with hand-on exhibits.
The new renderings for the museum showcase a four story 54,000 square foot building with four floors for interactive exhibits, event space and lecture rooms, as well as a reception area with gift shop, café and direct access to America’s tall ship, the Barque Eagle.
Boston-based firm PAYETTE, a leading international architectural firm recognized for their creativity and vision has designed the physical building concepts. PAYETTE was recently named to the Architect 50 by ARCHITECT Magazine as one of the most highly awarded architectural firms in the nation.
Charlie Klee, principal at PAYETTE and chief architect for the project, was enthusiastic about the progress in the design phase. “We are at the starting gate and ready to go.”
The interior exhibits are also beginning to take shape. The board of directors also approved engagement with Patrick Gallagher and Associates for the first phase of interior planning. The interactive, multimedia exhibits will highlight the dedication and heroism of the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard through its 225 year history. The Gallagher museum designers have wide experience in translating military history into an informative, interactive and delightful visitor experience. Some of their most notable American projects include the National World War II Museum, the Gettysburg National Military Park, the International Spy Museum and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Additionally, their work for the Smithsonian Museums is well-known and highly regarded.
“The U.S. Coast Guard has several warehouses full of artifacts that need to be displayed and enjoyed by the American public,” noted Board Member Rear Admiral John Faigle, USCG (Ret.) “Patrick Gallagher is the best of the best to prepare the exhibits for our museum.”
The public is invited to view the designs for the National Coast Guard Museum on its website at: http://www.CoastGuardMuseum.org
About the National Coast Guard Museum
The National Coast Guard Museum will honor the heroism of the men and women who answered the call to always be ready, as in the Coast Guard motto: Semper Paratus.
Permanent and revolving multimedia exhibits will tell compelling stories of the past, the present and the future as they evoke the Coast Guard’s critical role and mission in maritime security, safety, protection of natural resources, and national defense. The museum will use interactive and modern technology to engage the public, veterans and present Coast Guard men and women as they serve our nation now and into the future.
The National Coast Guard Museum Association, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the United States Coast Guard history and tradition. The museum will open in 2018 based on the raising of fifty million dollars in private donations to match the same dollar amount in government grants. For more information or to make a donation, contact the National Coast Guard Museum Association at 860.443.4200 or visit http://www.coastguardmuseum.org, and follow @USCGMuseum on Facebook and Twitter.
Pamela Fink, Quinn &Hary/Regan Communications, +1 8604440448 Ext: 10, [email protected]
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