Dear maritime colleagues,
AHOY to all our friends, families and community members!
Did you know 95% of what comes and goes to this country comes and goes by ships? Did you know, unlike European nations, the United States lacks a national maritime museum, ship trusts and potential government subsidies? Our national maritime past is defined solely by local and regional organizations. Your historic maritime legacies and adventures are alive and well here at our S.H.I.P. – Seafaring. Heritage. Innovation. Programming organization — The Mississippi Shipbuilding and Maritime Center. Our Mississippi Shipbuilding and Maritime Center continues to embrace energy and enthusiasm as we build-out 3,000 sq ft of exhibit space and is projected to open later this year!! Dreams really do come true! Over hundreds of years, people here on the Mississippi coast have made their livelihood through their connections to the water. Thanks to the skill and ingenuity of these hardworking men and women, Mississippi’s maritime industry has impacted the region, nation and world. Rooted in value, relevance, authenticity and stewardship, our maritime museum is poised to open a new chapter in its history.
We are based at the historic Pascagoula High School. Our building is recognized by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Our maritime o r g a n i z a t i o n is d e v e l o p i n g interpretive exhibits to engage visitors in discovering our region’s long maritime history. Slated in the Pascagoula’s former high school’s band hall and metal shop space, our exhibits will help visitors connect with the community’s past, present and future while inspiring them to become involved with our maritime vision: “Collectively preserve and promote our shipbuilding and mariner history while engaging and strengthening the future maritime workforce of Mississippi’s maritime and shipbuilding heritage.” Please enjoy this newsletter filled with our most recent maritime achievements. I hope you enjoy our updates and take part in our excitement as we move our maritime organization to a “New Maritime Era of Exhibition!” We appreciate you as a valued partner, your belief in our future maritime success and passion for our gulf coast Mississippi maritime history preservation and promotion. Please feel free to email me at [email protected] with any questions or valued input.
Many maritime blessings,
Lorren West
President
Your return on investment ensures preserving and exploring the deep south’s maritime history, environment, and culture of the entire Mississippi maritime region, and making these resources available to all. Our Mississippi Maritime Museum and Activity Center in Pascagoula, Mississippi will be broadly recognized for providing an engaging maritime guest experience, for creating transformative educational programming, and as a vital community partner ensuring philanthropic efforts are enjoyed by all.