A maritime museum dedicated to the Gulf of Mexico has been a dream for decades in Mobile, Alabama, and other cities along the Gulf Coast.

In the 1990s, Mobile and state leaders formed a non-profit organization to begin the arduous task of establishing a maritime museum that would serve as an educational resource for the region and the nation, a museum unlike any other in the world.

This museum would specialize in providing hands-on experiences that inspire visitors to understand and appreciate the maritime heritage of the Gulf of Mexico. There would be no permanent collection of artifacts or memorabilia – rather, historical items would be displayed through temporary exhibits, traveling exhibits, and visiting vessels.

As plans emerged, Mobile Mayor Michael Dow championed the Museum as the centerpiece of a 12-acre public development on the city’s downtown waterfront. During Mayor Dow’s tenure, “Mobile Landing” became home to a bustling convention center, Alabama’s only cruise ship terminal, and a riverside park for public events.

Now, under the leadership of Mayor Samuel Jones, the City of Mobile is partnered with GulfQuest in generating more than $36 million in project funding, with underwriting from government agencies and contributions from individuals, families, corporations and foundations.
 
Following ground breaking ceremonies held April 9, 2009, GulfQuest and the City of Mobile are moving forward with site preparation and construction.  GulfQuest is projected to open in 2015.