For many years, people who live and work along the Fort Lauderdale waterfront have talked about establishing a hometown maritime museum. In 2007, a major turning point was reached.

The City of Fort Lauderdale, in cooperation with a local developer and the organizers of the museum, allocated 6500 square feet of space for the museum in a mixed-use project on city-owned land. On the banks of the New River, just blocks from the Performing Arts Center, the Museum of Discovery and Science, and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, the Maritime Museum now has a superb home in an ideal location.

The museum has already established strategic alliances with the Broward County Public Schools, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, the Marina Mile Association, the Marine Advisory Board, the Florida Yacht Brokers Association and other organizations that share a natural and abiding interest in our maritime heritage and marine environment.

A first-year program of special exhibitions and events is under development and promises that the museum will indeed be a lively and engaging place for people to see, hear, explore and learn about the heritage and environment for which we all are caretakers.

Fund raising for the museum has already begun. Money is needed to outfit the museum space, to acquire exhibits, and to meet initial operating and other costs.

Because it is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 corporation, all individual and corporate contributions to the museum will be fully tax deductible. We ask you to come on board, give us your ideas, get involved, lend your support.

It has long been a good idea. Now its' time has come.