Museum Vision

Aerial view of museum

Envisioned as part of the waterfront Community Maritime Park project in historic Pensacola, the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center will serve as a signature educational and research facility for the State of Florida. In this 50,000 square foot museum, topical displays will engage visitors of all ages in understanding how discoveries, events and commerce shaped our understanding of history and helped define the development of Florida. Visitors will learn, often through hands-on experiences, about underwater shipwrecks, maritime navigation, shipping, railroads, the timber industry and naval history.

The Maritime Museum will also house maritime-related research facilities in areas such as public history, underwater archaeology, marine biology and environmental science. The design of the facility will enable visitors to observe and participate in aspects of this research.

Museum Mission & Programming

The Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center will be dedicated to the continued education, preservation and research of Florida’s cultural and natural maritime resources. The museum will host a broad array of hands-on, interactive exhibits, including an aquarium, with the express purpose of engaging the minds of visitors young and old. It will:

• Serve as a venue for public and educational programs for a diverse audience that includes university continuing education courses; out reach programs for students and teachers in K-12; and public seminars, lecture series and workshops for all ages.
• Provide sponsored research opportunities through the museum, the Marine Services Center and the Maritime Research and Teaching Center.
• Educate the public on the interrelationship between archaeology, biology, environmental studies and history.
• Encourage and promote preservation of our underwater resources through interactive exhibits demonstrating the effects of preservation on maritime and coastal assets.
• Provide course-based internships and other opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Serve as headquarters for the Florida Public Archaeology Network.

Back to top

Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman

Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman, or Jack as he was known by many, was born in Ashland, Pennsylvania in 1932. He graduated from Albright College in 1954 and soon after was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. By 1956, he was designated a naval aviator and was engaged in various operational commands for the remainder of his 38-year career, including Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific. While his Navy career was long and distinguished, Vice Admiral Fetterman’s post-Navy accomplishments and contributions to Northwest Florida were just as significant. For 13 years, Vice Admiral Fetterman served as the president and chief executive officer of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. Over the years he also served on a variety of community and military boards including chairman of the Mayor’s Community Core Values Board and Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce, and past chairman of the commissioning boards for the USS Mitscher, USS Bonhomme Richard and USS Iwo Jima. The Admiral was instrumental in obtaining the USS Oriskany, a decommissioned naval aircraft carrier, that is utilized as a diving and fishing reef 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola.

He had the exceptional vision to look at the city of Pensacola and not see what it was, or what it is, rather, he saw what it could be. In fact, he was a key visionary in the proposed Community Maritime Park in which the Maritime Museum will be located. It is because of Vice Admiral Fetterman’s passion for the Maritime Museum and the community that Governor Jeb Bush signed into law a bill to name the museum in honor of him. The Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center will serve as the official state maritime museum. It will provide unique opportunities for learning and research and will honor a man who served his country, community and family with great distinction.

Q: What is the Community Maritime Park project? A: The project is a public/private venture planned for 30 acres of publicly owned property immediately south of Pensacola City Hall on Pensacola Bay. Plans include a multi-purpose stadium, a conference/continuing education center, a maritime museum, and mixed-use development including retail and commercial space. Development of the Maritime Park is overseen by the Community Maritime Park Associates (CMPA), a 12 member board. The key component to the Maritime Park is the VADM John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center.

Q: Who oversees development of the Florida Maritime Museum?
A: The University of West Florida (UWF) will own and operate the State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center. As a University facility connected to educational programming, the Museum will be governed by the University President and Board of Trustees. A memo of understanding between UWF and the CMPA allows for the development of the Museum to be conducted by the University within design criteria established for the park as a whole.

Q: What is the City of Pensacola's role in the project?
A: The Pensacola City Council, by a strong 9-1 vote, took a major step forward on March 27th, 2006 by giving final approval to the Community Maritime Park. The approval came after City Manager Tom Bonfield reported that the City has the ability of funding its $40 million share of the $70.4 million needed to build the Community Maritime Park through bonds to be issued on the projected growth in revenues of the Community Redevelopment Agency.

The Maritime Museum will be funded through private contributions raised by the University of West Florida and matched through the Alec P. Courtelis matching gift fund.

Q: How much money is needed to build the Maritime Museum?
A: The budget for construction of the Maritime Museum is $18 million. $9 million of that must be raised which the State of Florida will match with the remaining $9 million.

As of April 2008, over $5.25 million has been raised resulting in total funds (raised and matched) reaching over $10.5 million.

Watch Video

Click here to view the video.

Back to top