The maritime museum is calling it quits after 28 years.
QuoteAfter sailing sometimes rocky seas for 28 years as the home of Jacksonville's maritime history, the Jacksonville Maritime Heritage Society's Jacksonville Landing museum will permanently close on New Year's Eve.
Even as the society board voted unanimously this month to close its museum Dec. 31, it has been seeking new homes for some of its artifacts, or finding out if those who donated them want them returned.
Museum officials predicted in April that the end was near since money had almost run out to pay the annual $45,000 in expenses for its volunteer-run storefront museum.
Museum director and lone paid employee Paul Ghiotto said they "gave it their best shot."
"We had enough money to go through the end of 2015 if we watched our pennies as we said 'Let's not throw in the towel,' hoping a sugar daddy might show up or we might get a bequest," Ghiotto said. "... There is just not enough to keep us going where we needed to be."
Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2015-08-30/story/jacksonvilles-maritime-museum-close-after-28-years
I was hoping that this museum would become integral with the USS Adams when it finally arrives. So sad.
Is there any way that COJ might be able to help them out at all? Has the museum asked? It seems like a pretty tough loss given the future plans with the Adams.