News about the Seabee Museum

WHERE TO SEE THE BEE:
If you are in the New England area, or planning to visit this summer, be sure and stop by and see the Museum's parade Bee and say "Hello" to the Seabees at these events and locations:

Aug 2-3, 2008 - Shaw's Supermarket, Old Tower Hill Rd., Wakefield, RI
Aug 16, 2008 - Stop 'n Shop, Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown, RI
Aug 23, 2008 - Stop 'n Shop, Point Judith Rd., Narragansett, RI
Sept 28, 2008 - South Kingstown RI Parade
Oct 12, 2008 - Providence RI Columbus Day Parade

GATE BEE UPDATE
In December 2007 (see below) when we began preparing the beloved Gate Bee for a new coat of paint we found deterioration in the hands. It appears that at some time in its 50+ year life the hands were patched by welding thin sheet metal over the original hands. This hid a growing problem ... the original plate steel hands are rusting beneath this top layer. Of the six hands, one was in need of immediate restoration.

This has slowed the repainting, but it is fortunately that the problem was discovered. Steel plate was purchased, rolled, cut and welded it in place by our own Bob Schwab. Our thanks to Bob! In the next few weeks we will begin repainting.

We had planned to have the Bee back on display by Memorial Day. Our new estimate is sometime in the early fall. We'll let you know.

NEW LOOK FOR THE CHAPEL:

The Seabee built concrete Chapel-in-the-Pines has a new roof. Thanks to a grant from the Federal government, Cornerstone Restoration carefully restored and recoated the aged and leaking roof. The new roof is brilliant white and promises to extend the life of the chapel another 50 years

Pro-Paint Plus of North Kingstown RI then cleaned the exterior and used a special two coat system to paint the building. For the first time in decades, the lower buttress supports were painted gray, as was done over forty years ago when the Navy built the venerable structure. By the way, the owner of Pro-Paint Plus ... Thomas Marsocci, Jr. ... is the son of a Davisville Seabee.

The interior is sound. It needs cleaning. painting and some minor restoration. When the base was closed the pews were removed and used at another Navy facility. Fortunately, we were able to obtain pews from a closed chapel in Newport. These need to be sanded and repainted. Clearly, our focus is raising funds for a museum building, but we have not forgotten the old chapel.

SEABEES AGAIN SALUTED AT ARMED FORCES CONCERT:

The Navy Seabees and the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park were once again spotlighted at the annual North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Armed Forces Musical Salute. This year's concert was held on May 10, 2008. The Lafayette Band of North Kingstown played rousing military music, including our favorite, The Song of the Seabees. The local Sea Cadets held a flag folding and
TSGT Michael Jackson USAF (Ret.) led Echo Taps. A special highlight this year was The Hummingbird Trio, three local high school seniors who perform 1940s music in the style of The Andrews Sisters. After the show The Hummingbirds posed on stage with the Museum's Parade Bee.

VOLUNTEER HONORED:
Joe Cormier, board member in charge of parades and our "Can Do" guy was honored as our 2008 Volunteer of the Year by the North Kingston (RI) Chamber of Commerce. Thanks and congratulation to a great Seabee.

NEW BOSTON FUND PROVIDES MATCHING GRANT:
On February 4, 2008, New Boston, the developer of the Gateway Project, offered to match the first $50,000 raised. In addition, New Boston will be contributing $20,000 in landscaping and other improvements to the park.

The matching grant was announced by Jerry Pucillo, a senior vice president of New Boston Fund Inc., in the rotunda of the Rhode Island state capital. During the press conference hosted by Rep. Larry Ehrhardt, (R) North Kingstown, he said: "We are proud to have in our community the original home of the Fighting Seabees and the famous Quonset Hut -- that magnificent engineering wonder that has lasted for decades and carried the name Quonset worldwide. I am pleased that the historical importance of the Seabee to Rhode Island and the country will be further memorialized."

In the photo, President Elect Nicholas Fisch accepts the challenge grant as Rep Ehrhart looks on, To learn more about the building fund, and how you can donate, go to our Building Fund page.

MUSEUM EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH SEA CADETS:
Jan. 4, 208, The Museum and Seabee Veterans of America Island X-1, Davisville, RI, announced an expanded support and partnership with the US Naval Sea Cadet Battalion at Quonset Point, RI, the oldest of the three Sea Cadet units in the Ocean State (cadets are shown at left providing an honor guard for a ceremony at the museum in 2007).

As part of the Quonset Point Sea Cadets' advanced sailing and maritime industrial training programs, outstanding cadets from around the country are selected to attend one-week programs. During the program cadets are housed in Quonset Huts maintained by the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park. Members of the local chapter of the Seabee Veterans of America help with training and provide mentoring. In the past, the Sea Cadets have offered three one-week programs. With this new partnership, the number of programs will be increased to five.

GATEWAY PROJECT COMES TO DAVISVILLE:
The biggest news affecting the Museum in 2007 was the state approval of the mixed-use Gateway Project. When completed in 2009, the Museum will be surrounded by a multi-million dollar retail and office park. At left is an artist's concept how part of the development will look when completed. The first store is scheduled to open in October of 2008.

MUSEUM BUILDING FUND:
To prepare for our "new neighbors" the Museum announced in December 2007, a two year, $250 thousand campaign to build an entrance building and museum, a place to demonstrate and preserve the "Can Do" spirit and to recognize the past, present and future contributions of the US Navy Seabees.
Please consider a donation.

THE BIG BEE NEWS:
The giant Seabee that guarded the main gate at Davisville (left) is now over 50 years old and was last repainted in 1999/2000.

Painting the statue is a complex process. The metal skin has to be repaired in a few places and rust removed. Then the task has begun. The Bee was moved on Saturday, December 1, 2007, to a nearby warehouse.

The Museum has received generous grants to cover the cost of the nine colors of paint needed. What the Museum needs now are more volunteers. Do you live in or near Rhode Island? Give is a call, we can use your help.

PARADES AND EVENTS: The Seabee Museum and Memorial Park participates in parades and events throughout Rhode Island, If you are in charge of a parade or event, contact us about participating.