Planning for Rockland 's Waterfront Gateway Center in Full Swing

Stephen Liberty, Chairman of the Maine Lighthouse Museum (MLM) Building Committee, reported that architect Jon Hansen of South Thomaston is nearing completion of the working drawings for Rockland 's waterfront museum and visitor center.

Mr. Hansen is coordinating the design with Chris White of Chris White Designs and Ben Fuller, Curator of the Penobscot Marine Museum .  Mr. White and Mr. Fuller are charged with the curatorial design and exhibit placement within the facility.  The bubble plan is a concept drawing that tells the storyline and directs exhibit placement on the floor of the Gateway Center . Final curatorial design will be completed early in 2005 with installation projected for the spring of 2005.    Preliminary architectural plans are available for public review at the Rockland-Thomaston Area Chamber of Commerce and on the Rockland's port page at the Port Information link of this website.

Penobscot Marine Museum to Partner Philip Conkling, Chairman of Maine Lighthouse Museum, Inc., Board of Directors, announced that the Penobscot Marine Museum (PMM) of Searsport will be a collaborating partner in the new museum.  PMM executive director, Mac DuFord, has agreed to loan the services of their curator, Ben Fuller, to assist in creating the curatorial floor plan for this unique facility.  As a collaborating partner, the Penobscot Marine Museum will be able to have a display on the Gateway floor, highlighting their collection.   

Laura Zylstra, Capital Campaign Director, reported that fundraising efforts are going well, resulting in gifts from a variety of individuals, foundations, institutions, government and business sources.

Some highlights include:

Earlier this summer, the Maine Lobster Festival presented MLM with a  $20,000 check towards its generous $200,000 pledge, and the Liberty family has pledged $50,000.  The Rockland-Thomaston Area Chamber of Commerce (RTACC) has pledged $25,000 to the project.  Said Bob Hastings, C.E.O. of RTACC,  “The Gateway Center promises to be the key to the redevelopment of the Tillson Avenue marine district in downtown Rockland .  This facility will serve as the primary regional information center for Mid-coast Maine.  It was essential that the Chamber of Commerce provide full support for the effort."

The Island Institute has pledged $10,000 toward the project, and the Owls Head Transportation Museum has pledged $10,000 for program development.  Additionally, 100% of MLM and RTACC board members have pledged personal financial support for the project. Several more grant proposals, including an application for an Enhancement Grant from the Maine Department of Transportation, have been submitted and are pending approval.  Additional support from area businesses and individuals is anticipated in the c0376.oming months.  

A special event fundraiser is planned at the Gateway Center for early winter to mark the ground breaking for the renovation. For more information on the project contact the Rockland-Thomaston Chamber of Commerce at (207)596-0376.