National Coast Guard Museum Set to Rise in New London, Conn.

By Coastal Angler Magazine Staff

A living tribute to the rich history and storied traditions of the United States Coast Guard will soon rise here in New England. With a ground breaking plan for May in New London, Conn., the home to the United States Coast Guard Academy, the first-ever National Coast Guard Museum will forever immortalize and honor the commitment, accomplishments and sacrifices of the Coast Guard men and women.

Recently, Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy, along with Admiral Robert J. Papp, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, signed an agreement that detailed the cooperative relationships and mutual commitments required to establish the nation’s only National Coast Guard Museum to be built along New London’s historic waterfront district.

“Signing this agreement is a significant milestone in bringing this world-class museum to life,” said Admiral Papp. “We are one major step closer to walking through the doors of an iconic museum that will honor our Coast Guard and the rich maritime heritage of the State of Connecticut and City of New London.”

The new National Coast Guard Museum will be a fitting tribute to the men and women of the service—those currently serving, those wanting to serve and all those who have served over the past 224 years. It will be a place where visitors will be enlightened and amazed by tales of the Coast Guard’s rich history of bravery, devotion and patriotism. Americans and tourists from all over the world will visit the museum and be inspired by a legacy of service and honor.

The new museum will honor the heroism of the men and women who answered the call to always be ready, as in the Coast Guard motto: Semper Paratus. Permanent and revolving multimedia exhibits will tell compelling stories of its past, present and future as they evoke the Coast Guard’s critical role and mission in maritime security, safety, protection of natural resources and national defense.

As a dynamic institution charged with these roles, the museum will use interactive and modern technology in exhibits to engage the public, veterans and present Coast Guard men and women as they serve our nation now and into the future.

Plans include a four-story, 54,300-square-foot building with four floors of interactive exhibits, event space and lecture rooms, as well as a reception area with a gift shop and cafe. In addition, plans anticipate docking the Coast Guard’s tall ship, Barque EAGLE, at an adjacent pier serving as an additional attraction. A pedestrian overpass across the railroad tracks will connect the museum with the local ferry terminal and train station helping to usher visitors as they come to experience this first national museum.

For more information about the National Coast Guard Museum or to contribute, please visit www.coastguardmuseum.org or follow @USCGMuseum on Facebook and Twitter.

[easy-social-share]