| Distinguish Jax: The Jacksonville Maritime Museum |
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| Wednesday, 25 July 2007 | |
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While our city still struggles to promote the historic legacy of the St. Johns River and its impact on the community, the Jacksonville Maritime Museum Society (JMMS) operates a small, yet informative facility that does just that.
The Jacksonville Maritime Museum was established in the 1980's. It is located on the Southbank, directly across the river from the Landing, adjacent to Friendship Fountain and MOSH.
Maritime Museum Photo Tour Items displayed at the museum include Civil War artifacts and models of the Titanic, sailing ships, steamboats, and Florida's most famous tugboat, The Three Friends. Permanent & Interactive Exhibits
A model of the USS Saratoga, which was once stationed at Mayport.
Sailing Vessels from another century and a mural of the Jacksonville waterfront in 1931.
A display of historic ship building tools and artifacts.
A model of a freighter with the Northbank skyline in the background.
This wooden deadeye was discovered during the construction of the Skyway Express
An interactive exhibit.
Gift Shop
Research Library
Future Plans & Dreams For years, the maritime society has been in search of a larger riverfront site to expand the museum into a top rate facility to showcase Jacksonville's rich maritime heritage. The JMMS has targeted a little used surface parking lot under the Acosta Bridge as a potential site for a 10,000sf state of the art facility that they would use to construct a building with private funds. Unfortunately, to this date, the City of Jacksonville has shown very little, if any, interest in working with the JMMS to achieve those dreams.
The Jacksonville Maritime Museum is open 10:30am to 3:00pm on weekdays and 1:00pm to 4:00pm on weekends. To learn more about the Jacksonville Maritime Museum visit: www.jaxmaritimemuseum.org
Metro Jacksonville: Exploring Expansion Possibilities: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/53/119/ |
July 25, 2007, 10:27 am
Re: Distinguish Jax: The Jacksonville Maritime Museum
You are trying to tell me that the city of Jacksonville isn't interested in progress??? Whatever!!!
Thank you, thank you very much. I'll be here all week.
July 25, 2007, 11:51 am
Re: Distinguish Jax: The Jacksonville Maritime Museum
The Jacksonville Chapter of The Emerging Architects should be thanked for that site plan rendering. Last year, we held a design competition for the Maritime Museum. A winner was selected for that competition, and we then formed a group of Members to come up with a design specifically for the Acosta Site. That design was then presented to the Mayor by several Maritime Board members as well as two members of Emerging Architects, Jeremiah Russell and Eduardo Pagan. I'm more than a little surprised that this information wasn't mentioned in this article.
July 25, 2007, 12:25 pm
Re: Distinguish Jax: The Jacksonville Maritime Museum
There's no reason to be suprised. Those working in the museum didn't mention it when we were taking the images. Feel free to add elevations of that particular design so we all can see. What was the Mayor's response to the proposal, in your own words? Maybe we can help attract attention to the situation.
July 25, 2007, 12:46 pm
Re: Distinguish Jax: The Jacksonville Maritime Museum
In my own words, the Mayor was less than interested in the Maritime Museum building on that particular gem of a site. As for any action that may be taken in the future? The Maritime Museum Board has said that they are still interested in pursuing that site as a viable location for a new Museum, but opposition meets them at nearly every turn. All of this is my own supposition and should be confirmed with the Maritime Board. In my humble opinion, I don't believe that the Maritime Museum will ever be granted a place on the St. John's River on either bank other than the one that they currently occupy. Even though, for almost 30 years they have maintained and promoted the very rich Maritime history of Jacksonville and the St. John's River. I see it as a monumental insult that our city officials are unwilling to allow The Maritime Museum a place of prominence on either the north or south bank of the river. But then again, that's really no surprise to anyone is it?
July 25, 2007, 12:54 pm
Re: Distinguish Jax: The Jacksonville Maritime Museum
That's unfortunate. An expanded maritime museum would only increase the chance of public acceptance toward whatever the Mayor is dreaming of doing on the Southbank.
July 25, 2007, 3:59 pm
Re: Distinguish Jax: The Jacksonville Maritime Museum
it is pretty ironic. i mean who would even consider a maritime museum that isnt on the river? i think that the current administration cant really see the potential they are turning away from.
July 25, 2007, 6:23 pm
Re: Distinguish Jax: The Jacksonville Maritime Museum
When working for the US Government, they once brought in a young janitor who claimed he bought a surplus aircraft carrier for $500 dollars, and took it up the St. Johns, then hid it in a creek. He claimed he had to to keep all the tourists off of it! Now if we could just find it, damn, ready made museum!
Seriously, if our City would induce a dedicated fund to create cultural development, we would lead the State in no time. Oklahoma City voted a penny or so sales tax for the zoo, which is Sea World, San Diego, and a few others, all-in-one... on steroids! They also have the special MAPS funds, a short term tax that has re-made Bricktown, built arenas, ball parks, a river and a canal then lined them with top named hotels, retail and restaurants.
Just Imagine:
A 30,000 sq foot... Jacksonville Maritime Museum
A 10,000 sq foot... Museum of Florida Civil War History (more properly known as The War of Yankee Aggression)
A 20,000 sq foot... National Negro League, Home - Hall of Fame and a expo ball park
A 20,000 sq foot... Florida Museum of Transportation
A 10,000 sq foot... Museum of The Electric Railways of Florida (home to the Trolleys and attached to the above?)
A 25,000 sq foot... Museum of Southern Music, complete with sound stage and concert hall
Toss in a REAL reconstruction of the Steamboat "City of Jacksonville" on a cruise schedule to Sanford and packages that included tour coach connetions to the Mouse etc...
A REAL reconstruction of the Jacksonville Traction Company, the Citys historic Streetcar lines.
A JTA downtown shuttle bus system made of real or reproduction 1910-20's vintage BUSES.
A Hogans Creek-Walk development like The San Antonio River, or Oklahoma City's Bricktown Canal.
A piece of land for the Seminole Tribe down by the stadium so we will no longer be the only major Florida City WITHOUT a Hardrock Casino and Hotel.
Oh, if only I were King!
Ocklawaha
July 25, 2007, 7:43 pm
Re: Distinguish Jax: The Jacksonville Maritime Museum
I never thought of the Seminole land for a Hardrock. That is an awesome idea!
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