Children from the Pascagoula Recreation Department explore Frances O'Brien's skiff during the very first class in our new exhibit arena! We are excited to continue our STEAM curriculum in this new space!

A collaboration between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) in Pascagoula, the National Marine Sanctuaries program, and local artist Matt Stebly, owner of Twisted Anchor Tattoo in Ocean Springs, has produced a painting to be displayed at the Mississippi Shipbuilding and Maritime Center in Pascagoula through November before returning to NOAA. NOAA’s chief of port operations for the Gulf Marine Support Facility (GMSF) in Pascagoula, Tim Martin, who spearheaded the project, had this to say about the piece. “I asked Matt to illustrate the long standing relationship that NOAA has had with the gulf coast, and I think he captured it perfectly. We study a wide variety of animals here and he was able to incorporate a lot of them. It’s an outstanding piece of art. We wanted the public to be able to enjoy it as well and I would like to thank Lorren West, the Executive Director of the museum for allowing us to display it there for an extended period of time.”

Thank you to Lake Elementary for submitting entries to our model boat contest during our Launch event! Congratulations to the second place winners of our K-4th division from Lake Elementary: Mason Russell, Carline Russell, and Grayson Burnett!

 Dr. Jack Hoover, founder (along with Mr. Pat Keene) 'crossed the bar' earlier this week. Our Mississippi Shipbuilding and Maritime Center's crew is deeply saddened by Dr. Hoover's transition. Both Dr. Hoover and Mr. Pat Keene (also deceased) believed in the maritime spirit and cultural heritage of our great Mississippi gulf coast. Dr. Hoover's maritime entrepreneurial experience allowed the creation of his passion "to create a non-profit organization to educate and impassion our region's significant maritime contributions in both shipbuilding and maritime heritage achieved for the past 400 years."

Dr. Hoover was our organization's backbone for inspiration. Our executive director, Lorren West, met with Dr. Hoover monthly at his residence in Spanish Fort, AL. Ms. West gained insightful, invaluable experiences as Dr. Hoover mapped out his vision to help our communities interpret the local maritime world.

Dr. Hoover's vision and conviction will live on in our mission "To Preserve the history and engage the future of Mississippi's Shipbuilding and Maritime Innovations."

 "We're built to cruise for but awhile upon the trackless sea, until one day we sail into Infinity.."

The Ship Of Life

By John T. Baker

National Volunteer Month is an extension to an already-established holiday-week, National Volunteer Week, first held in 1943 in Canada, dedicated to paying tribute to the unwavering contributions of women during World War II who would collect supplies and help wounded soldiers. It was in the early 20th century when organized volunteering reached its peak. Numerous groups opened up to escalate humanitarian services, many of which are still active today, such as the Red Cross.  

Once the war was over, the celebrations were damped down but resurged in the early 1970s. National Volunteer Week debuted in 1974 in the United States and was revered by the general public. Since then, National Volunteer Week, later to become National Volunteer Month, has been celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm every April. It was made official worldwide in 1990.

 Presidents of the United States throughout the years have proclaimed National Volunteer Week and Month, saluting the unparalleled services of volunteers who have given countless hours for the betterment of mankind, communities, and the American way of life.

The Mississippi Shipbuilding and Maritime Center is looking to expand our crew of volunteers!

Celebrate National Volunteer Month by volunteering at your Maritime Center!

If you are interested in volunteering, please email msmmuseum@gmail.com or call us at (228) 202-1518.

The Mysterious Millennium Ghost Ship Last Seen In Scotland

Have you seen this off of our Coast?

On May 2, at 9am, the Jackson County Board of Supervisors will have a Proclamation to launch National Boating Safety Week, featuring the United States Coast Guard and the Mississippi Shipbuilding and Maritime Center! We would like to invite our community to join us for the Proclamation.