UNITED STATES LIGHTSHIP MUSEUM INC
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Mission Statement
The United States Lightship Museum (USLM) is dedicated to restoring and preserving the famous Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 in perpetuity, reestablishing this National Historic Landmark and National Treasure in its homeport of Boston. The ship is shared with the public as a floating learning center, including exhibits showcasing the importance of U.S. lightships and their historic relevance to transatlantic commerce, transportation, maritime history, culture, arts, and the marine and nautical sciences. In addition, Nantucket Lightship serves as a educational catalyst for the general public, particularly underserved chlldren from area schools, to gain a broad understanding of maritime service and history. An all-volunteer group, the USLM is actively raising funds to complete the restoration of the lightship, making it one of the most visible and vibrant attractions in Boston Harbor.
About This Cause
Mission The mission of the United States Lightship Museum (USLM) is to preserve and maintain Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 in perpetuity, reestablishing this National Historic Landmark and National Treasure in its homeport of Boston. LV-112 serves as a floating museum and learning center (school house) for the general public, chronicling the maritime history of the U.S. Lightship Service from its inception in 1820 to its end in 1985. Nantucket/LV-112 — the largest and most famous U.S. lightship ever built — served 100 miles off the mainland, guiding transoceanic ship traffic past the treacherous and remote Nantucket Shoals. As the first symbol of America seen by immigrants, it became affectionately known as “The Statue of Liberty of the Sea.” Today, visitors to our museum ship experience what lightship service was like for crewmembers living aboard these “floating lighthouses,” whose duty was to stay on their station regardless of weather and sea conditions, faithfully and courageously guiding international commerce and transportation to and from Europe and the United States through dangerous seas. Vision and Goals The long-term goals of the USLM are twofold. First and foremost, our objective is to preserve and protect the structural integrity of Nantucket Lightship/LV-112, consistent with its use as a commissioned U.S. Coast Guard lightship vessel, based in Boston and stationed in international waters on the treacherous Nantucket Shoals Lightship Station from 1936 to 1975. The ship is shared with the public as a floating educational center, including exhibits to illuminate the importance of U.S. lightships and their historic relevance to transatlantic commerce, transportation, maritime history, culture, arts, and the marine and nautical sciences. In addition, Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 serves as a educational catalyst for the general public, particularly chlldren from area schools, to gain a broad understanding of maritime history. We offer interactive programs in collaboration with various educational institutions, maritime and marine-science organizations. Through an engaging learning environment, this 150-foot living museum engenders an appreciation of maritime history and lightship service as well as marine and nautical sciences including engineering, navigational, environmental, climate and weather sciences. Populations Served Our ship museum reaches out to diverse populations of all ages. Tourists from around the world, express their enjoyment touring the ship. Instructors from learning institutions and youth groups coordinate with our museum, utilizing it as part of a curriculum for their students. In addition, the ship serves as a resource and field-trip destination for underserved students, youths at risk and senior citizens. We provide tours for groups such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Boys Scouts of America, and elementary schoolchildren from Greater Boston and beyond. We are presently developing an educational program (“Candlepower”), that have the potential of reaching thousands of children per year from schools throughout Massachusetts, providing them an online “virtual field trip” followed by a hands-on field trip to the ship. The course also will reach an unlimited number of students nationwide. Mission The mission of the United States Lightship Museum (USLM) is to preserve and maintain Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 in perpetuity, reestablishing this National Historic Landmark and National Treasure in its homeport of Boston. LV-112 serves as a floating museum and learning center for the general public, chronicling the maritime history of the U.S. Lightship Service from its inception in 1820 to its end in 1985. Nantucket/LV-112 — the largest and most famous U.S. lightship ever built — served 100 mites off the mainland, guiding transoceanic ship traffic past the treacherous Nantucket Shoals. The first symbol of America seen by immigrants, it became affectionately known as “The Statue of Liberty of the Sea.” Today, visitors to our museum ship experience what lightship service was like for crewmembers living aboard these “floating lighthouses,” whose duty was to stay on their station regardless of weather and sea conditions, faithfully and courageously guiding international commerce and transportation to and from Europe and the United States through dangerous seas. Vision and Goals The long-term goals of the USLM are twofold. First and foremost, our objective is to preserve and protect the structural integrity of Nantucket Lightship/LV-112, consistent with its use as a commissioned U.S. Coast Guard lightship vessel, based in Boston and stationed in international waters on the treacherous Nantucket Shoals Lightship Station from 1936 to 1975. The ship is shared with the public as a floating educational center, including exhibits to illuminate the importance of U.S. lightships and their historic relevance to transatlantic commerce, transportation, maritime history, culture, arts, and the marine and nautical sciences. In addition, Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 serves as a educational catalyst for the general public, particularly chlldren from area schools, to gain a broad understanding of maritime history. We offer interactive programs in collaboration with various educational institutions, maritime and marine-science organizations. Through an engaging learning environment, this 150-foot living museum engenders an appreciation of maritime history and lightship service as well as marine and nautical sciences including engineering, navigational, environmental and weather sciences. Populations Served Our ship museum reaches out to diverse populations of all ages. Tourists from around the world love to tour the ship. Instructors from learning institutions and youth groups coordinate with our museum, utilizing it as part of a curriculum for their students. In addition, the ship serves as a resource and field-trip destination for underserved students, youths at risk and senior citizens. We provide tours for groups such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Boys Scouts of America, and elementary schoolchildren from Greater Boston and beyond. We are presently developing an educational program (“Candlepower”), that has the potential of reaching thousands of children per year from schools throughout Massachusetts, providing them an online “virtual field trip” followed by a hands-on interactive field trip to the ship. The course also includes cause and effect problem solving challenges that will also be able to reach an unlimited number of students nationwide. In addition, the Candlepower program will introduce students to actual historic events as part of the problem solving component. Structure and Programs We currently are an all-volunteer organization, headed by a president, who with other dedicated volunteers, manages all activity including ship restoration work, fundraising, donor relations, special events, outreach to funding organizations, and visits by schoolchildern, youth organizations and people with a special interest in lighthouses and marine sciences. We also manage a wide range of communications initiatives including media relations, e-newsletters and mailings to our growing list of friends and constituents. Several former LV-112 crewmembers, many of whom have gone on to other careers, lend their valuable time, expertise and connections to advance our project. Educational Programs The USLM has established relationships with teachers and school systems as a field-trip destination. With public school teachers and other educational professionals, we are currently developing a learning system for grade-school students called the Candlepower Program, which will aid their fundamental and basic learning skills and help them prepare for required state assessment tests. Observing the enthusiasm and participation of students during and after their visit to LV-112 has been an enlightening experience for instructors and students alike. The program will be designed to set high standards and establish measurable goals to improve individual educational outcomes and create a curriculum that aligns with state and national standards, demonstrating that learning can be fun! History is real! As an added bonus, youngsters will learn to appreciate their future role in preserving America’s historic treasures. Facilities Our programs are provided directly on Nantucket Lightship/LV-112, proudly afloat at a berth donated by the Boston Harbor Shipyard & Marina, located in East Boston and prominently seen from many harbor locations. In addition, we travel to area schools and organizations to give presentations about the ship and its storied past. Strengths and Challenges Our greatest strength is that we can provide the general public direct access to the largest and most famous U.S. lightship ever built, allowing people of all ages to come aboard and imagine the dedication of the ship’s crew, who in the face of horrific storms could never abandon their station. Stories of courage and sacrifice abound, imparting an appreciation for their extraordinary level of service. Children are enthralled at the opportunity to ring the bell, use the old-fashioned phone system, turn the large steering wheel, and traverse the catwalk above the ship’s massive diesel engines. We often receive heart warming thank-you notes from youngsters, such as: "I'll never forget the history of the ship and the brave people who worked on it." "I hope the ship can be preserved for 100 years for chlldren to see an old lightship." "My favorite part was when we rang the bell. It was the greatest day of my life." Our greatest challenge is to meet the growing interest of schoolchildren to visit our ship. To tell the lightship’s story to as many students as possible, we are planning to create an online version of he Candlepower Program — a “virtual field trip” followed by an actual trip to the ship. In addition to this course, we are seeking funds to make capital improvements to the ship’s heating, electrical, mechanical systems and structural components to ensure our young visitors’ comfort and safety.