Brunswick Naval Museum and Memorial Gardens
http://www.brunswicknavalmuseum.org/

In January of 2009 a group of retired and ex-navy personnel, museum professionals, and interested persons assembled to see about establishing a museum and retaining the memorial gardens at the Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine (NASB).  We became the Brunswick Naval Museum and Memorial Gardens.  An organizational Board of Directors was established and it has incorporated, drafted bylaws, developed a business plan, obtained its non-profit 501(c)(3) status with the IRS and is planning to acquire the former base chapel. 

Our purposes are to maintain a memorial to those service members who gave their lives in service to their country; and to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the history of naval airborne patrol, especially the history of NASB and naval units based in Maine.  To that end we will maintain the  memorial and friendship gardens, establish and maintain museum facilities, collect and preserve artifacts, photographs, documents and other materials pertaining to that history, and among other things, mount ongoing educational activities including exhibits, research, publications, seminars, workshops, lectures and outreach programming.  Since its inception, NASB has been a vital part of the Brunswick Community and vice versa.  This unique and vital heritage needs to be preserved so that future generations will obtain a better understanding of that heritage.

We decided to obtain the base Chapel and surrounding grounds since the Memorial Gardens are already in place there and the chapel building has an abundant amount of room for its activities.  At the present time we will not be able to own the property due to the requirements of the base closing process.  However we have an option to lease it with the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, the organization that will manage the base property for redevelopment, and we will lease it until we are able to acquire it.  Visit our website at www.brunswicknavalmuseum.org.

In order for us to accomplish the above goals, your financial support is critical.  Initially we must raise at least $6,000 in order to conduct a feasibility study to determine if we will be able to support a museum operation.  We anticipate the funds needed to modify the building and equip and man it to create a museum and open its doors will amount to almost a half-million dollars.  If we cannot raise the $6,000, we certainly cannot proceed with the museum.

Being a 501(c)(3) organization, contributions to the Brunswick Naval Museum and Memorial Gardens are income tax deductible within the guidelines of the Internal Revenue Service.  They will be used solely for the operations of the organization.  If the necessary $6,000 are not raised, contributions earmarked for the study will be returned.

Please remit your contribution to:

            Brunswick Naval Museum and Memorial Gardens
            PO Box 943
            Brunswick, Maine 04011

We are a membership organization and any person, organization or corporation desiring to support and/or promote the purposes of the Museum is eligible for membership.  At the present time there are only two categories of membership: Member, and Founding Member.  A donation of at least $60 is required for membership and $160 is the minimum amount in the Founding Member category.  All founding members will have their names listed on our website and on a plaque or suitable permanent marker in the museum and will receive recognition in our newsletter when established.  All funds received will go entirely to the establishment and operation of the museum and memorial gardens.  All membership dues are currently completely tax deductible within the rules and regulations of the IRS.

A meeting will be held annually to elect members of the Board of Directors that govern the organization, and those obtaining membership now will elect the first Board, the meeting time and place to be announced.

Please remit your dues to the PO Box listed above.

Would you like to participate in the deliberations of the organizational Board?  Do you have specific expertise and background in developing a business plan, marketing, fundraising, website maintenance, or museum operations?  Would you like to offer your services?  To do so or obtain any further information, please contact our President, John Briley, at 207-729-7216.  Our organizational Board currently meets monthly on the third Tuesday.