Charting the Course Capital Campaign to raise $10 million for exhibits/infrastructure

MOBILE, Ala. ? The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico officially launched its Charting the Course Capital Campaign Thursday at the museum?s future site in downtown Mobile by announcing that over $6 million has been raised toward the campaign?s $10 million goal.

Projected to open in 2009, the $30+ million project is a public/private partnership between the City of Mobile and the Maritime Museum, a non-profit organization that is underwriting the museum?s exhibits and infrastructure. With over $10 million in support from federal sources, the City of Mobile is working with the Maritime Museum to secure remaining funding for the $22 million building, which also will house the city?s ferry terminal with passenger service to other Gulf Coast sites. The Maritime Museum will serve as the public hub of activity at Mobile Landing, which is already home to the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center, Cooper Riverside Park, and the Alabama Cruise Terminal.

City officials, museum trustees, civic leaders, and campaign donors gathered at Mobile Landing to launch the campaign and unveil the sign that will mark the museum?s future home. ?Today we embark on a new era in the history of Mobile,? E. B. Peebles III, Chairman of the Maritime Museum Board of Trustees, said. ?Through this campaign, we are bringing together those who wish to honor and celebrate the rich maritime heritage of Mobile and the Gulf Coast region.?

The campaign?s lead commitment of $1 million has been provided by the McLean family ? Miss Clara McLean and the sons and daughters of Malcom and James McLean. In the 1950s, at Waterman Corporation in Mobile, Malcom McLean pioneered the concept of ?containerization? for transporting goods. With siblings James and Clara, the McLean family operated businesses that transformed international shipping ? a revolution that celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

In addition, lead gifts have been provided by Alabama Power Foundation, Atlantic Marine, Bender Shipbuilding, Cooper/T. Smith Corporation, The Crampton Trust, The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Hearin-Chandler Foundation, Mobile Gas Service Corporation, The Monte L. Moorer Charitable Trust, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Peebles III, Regions Bank, The Seamen?s Club of Mobile, The Sybil H. Smith Charitable Trust, Admiral and Mrs. William H. Stewart, Wachovia Bank and Whitney National Bank.

At Thursday?s launch, Campaign Chairman Lee Moncrief thanked current campaign leadership including Lead Gifts Committee Co-Chairs Cheryl Thompson and Marietta Urquhart for their time and effort, and acknowledged early donors as providing the campaign with a clear sense of momentum.

?The generosity of state and community leaders has shown that the time has come to move forward with the Maritime Museum for the benefit of Alabama, the Gulf Coast and beyond,? Moncrief said. ?These commitments provide support but also endorsements for the Maritime Museum as a future attraction, cultural institution, and educational resource in downtown Mobile.?

Members of the Lead Gifts Committee are Thomas Bender, Edgar Downing, Michael Lee, Lee Moncrief, E. B. Peebles III, Kate Seawell, Teresa McLean Smith and Admiral William H. Stewart.

The campaign launch also involved the unveiling of signage that marks the future home of the Maritime Museum. The sign, shaped like a vessel rising from the site, has an interior space that features displays about the Maritime Museum?s facilities and exhibits, the continuing development of Mobile Landing, and the museum?s capital campaign.

To conclude the ceremonies, Mobile Mayor Samuel Jones and Board Chairman E. B. Peebles hoisted the campaign flag to the top of the flagpole that serves as the sign?s central mast.

Following the campaign launch, the Maritime Museum will focus on generating additional gifts and pledges throughout this year, to be followed by a public phase in 2008. ?Donations of all sizes will be needed to underwrite the museum?s exhibits and infrastructure,? Tony Zodrow, Executive Director of the Maritime Museum, said. ?The public phase will provide an opportunity for families and school children to sponsor nautical elements in the Maritime Museum and show their support for the project.?

Gifts and pledges are tax-deductible and payable over a multi-year period. For donations of $25,000 and above, the Maritime Museum is offering naming opportunities for specific exhibits, rooms and architectural features. All campaign donors of $2,500 and above will be recognized on a donor wall to be located inside the Maritime Museum?s Grand Lobby.