Long-stalled campaign to build new Coast Guard museum to get jump-start

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:38:53 -0400

An artist’s rendering of the future National Coast Guard Museum in New London, Conn. (Image courtesy the National Coast Guard Museum Association)

From the Washington Post - "The effort to build the only national Coast Guard museum in the United States had been on the ropes for years when retired Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr. took over as the sea service’s top officer in 2010. Federal legislation passed in 2004 said it could only be built in Connecticut, but there were disagreements about whether that was the best idea.

Papp, then the commandant of the Coast Guard, said he was concerned the project might remain stalled forever. So he and others involved decided to move forward with plans to build it in New London, the small Connecticut seaport city that is also home to the Coast Guard Academy.

“Rather than try to change anything,” he told The Washington Post, “We are pressing ahead.”

On April 29, the Coast Guard Museum Association that oversees the project will launch its first national fund-raising campaign in Washington. It comes following a groundbreaking ceremony on the New London waterfront last spring, and after the city gave the sea service property last year.

The goal is to open the museum by 2018. Doing so will give the service a national museum, something the other branches of the armed forces have had for years. But it will require a lot more money: Museum association officials say they have about $25 million, and need $100 million.

“It’s going to be tight, but we have an awful lot of enthusiastic people who are going to be working on this,” Papp said.

The service has artifacts in several locations that could be displayed at the museum, including at a warehouse near Washington, Papp said. The Coast Guard Academy also has a museum on its grounds, but it is small and not open to the public often.

“It’s really one room in the academy’s library, and they put some of the artifacts out there on display,” Papp said.

The new museum will highlight Coast Guard heroes like Signalman 1st Class Douglas Monro, the only member of the service to ever earn the Medal of Honor. He did so during the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II, putting his boats in the line of fire to allow Marines to evacuate. He was mortally wounded in the process.

More recent events like the rescue effort following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 also will be highlighted. The service is credited with pulling 24,135 people from imminent danger, usually off the roofs of homes that had been flooded."

See the full story and additional images here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/04/22/long-stalled-campaign-to-build-new-coast-guard-museum-to-get-jump-start/?tid=hpModule_9d3add6c-8a79-11e2-98d9-3012c1cd8d1e&hpid=z15

The effort, once stalled, now calls for the museum to open in 2018.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 22 at 2015 6:42 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:42:54 -0400

National Coast Guard Museum Association:

http://coastguardmuseum.org/

Coast Guard Museum

The National Coast Guard Museum Association, Inc. is proud to announce a new group of special donors called the“Search & Rescue Circle.” Through a $250 donation, members of the new“Search & Rescue Circle” will receive a limited edition coin commemorating the National Coast Guard Museum. This die struck hard enamel challenge coin will come in a finished walnut presentation box and is sure to become a cherished momento. Help make the dream a...

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 22 at 2015 6:46 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:46:24 -0400

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 1:05 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 13:05:19 -0400

It's nice to see this project finally move forward! There are some very nice USCG related materials in the museums by Cape May as well. In case anyone get's down there to poke around!

Response by PO2 Steven Barkley made Apr 28 at 2015 8:18 PM

PO2 Steven Barkley — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 20:18:18 -0400

A long time coming! Will look forward to helping financially or with memorabilia if needed!

Response by LT Garth Young (Ret) made Apr 29 at 2015 9:45 AM

LT Garth Young (Ret) — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 09:45:45 -0400

This is a project that needs to move forward. The Coast Guard has an incredible history from 1790 to today and has played a major role in the freedom Americans enjoy today. Not to mention the impact on the humanitarian side, commerce, transportation, marine safety, and so much more. I'll visit the museum when completed and stroll the corridors with great pride!

Response by PO1 Tammy Lee made May 7 at 2015 1:03 AM

PO1 Tammy Lee — Thu, 07 May 2015 01:03:59 -0400

It's about time!! Thank you Adam Papa!!!

Response by Gaspare Marturano made Dec 28 at 2015 10:44 AM

Gaspare Marturano — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 10:44:55 -0500

Update: The First National Museum Honoring The U.S. Coast Guard! CGAUX LIVE: https://shar.es/1GVnwD

Update: The First National Museum Honoring The U.S. Coast Guard! « Coast Guard Auxiliary Live

Great news concerningthe first national museum honoring the U.S. Coast Guard! On December 18th, 2015 the Senatepassed federal legislation that will provide a financial lift to the long-awaited project planned for waterfront in New London, CT (a 2004 act of Congress designated New London, CT the home of theU.S. Coast Guard Academy, as the location for a museum).

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 2 at 2016 9:41 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 09:41:52 -0500

Let's hope their foundation can raise the funds to at least acquire land and start building a modest facility which can be expanded and grow over the years. Very worthwhile and hopefully there are enough Coast Guard backers to get it done. The MC built a very handsome facility near Quantico funded by private donations and have been expanding over the years.