News Archives 2008 - February

History on the Railway

There’s an historic landmark on our marine railway. The nine-log bugeye Edna E. Lockwood has been hauled out this winter to have her covering boards replaced. The work entails removing the pine deck planks from her bow and replacing them with oak, which is better suited for the boat.

Edna was built in 1889 by renowned boat builder John B. Harrison of Tilghman. He was 24 years old when he built her, the seventh of 18 bugeyes he would build. Harrison also built the Chesapeake Bay log canoes Jay Dee and Flying Cloud, which are still being raced today.

St. Michaels Fire Department to Receive Grant for Essential Safety Equipment
New Protective Gear Will Help Protect Firefighters and Make Community Safer

ST. MICHAELS, MD— It is the most important equipment a firefighter needs when responding to an emergency and now St. Michaels firefighters are receiving a number of the newest, most effective models.

Maury, Donnelly & Parr, Inc. and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company are partnering to award a $5,841 grant to the St. Michaels Fire Department for five new sets of “turnout gear” (jacket, pants and helmet). The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) alerted Maury, Donnelly & Parr of their local fire department’s funding needs.

According to Chief J.D. Patrick of the St. Michaels Fire Department, “Our new firefighters have been forced to wear turnout gear that is 10-years-old and does not meet national standards. The new gear will allow our new members to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently, helping us to better protect the community.”

Turnout gear is the protective, fire-resistant clothing that firefighters wear when responding to incidents like fires or major vehicle crashes. The clothing protects them from exposure to chemicals, heat or flames. The gear also includes a helmet with a face shield that protects firefighters from flying debris. These new sets, which meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, will replace the department’s most worn-out pieces.

On Thursday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m., the grant package will be presented during a special event at the Museum’s Steamboat Building in St. Michaels. Chief J.D. Patrick, St. Michaels firefighters, local officials, executives from Maury Donnelly & Parr and Fireman’s Fund, along with leaders from CBMM will be in attendance.

“It brings us great pleasure to support the St. Michaels Fire Department in such a tangible way,” states Brian Phoebus, program director for Maury, Donnelly & Parr. “This grant will help support the firefighters, and, in doing so, protect the residents of this community.”

“We are very pleased we were able to bring attention to the needs of the St. Michaels Fire Department,” says CBMM President, Stuart Parnes. “It’s great to see a department that provides such a critical service to our community receive much-needed funds and the recognition it deserves.”

The grant package is part of a nationwide program called Fireman’s Fund Heritage® which is funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire departments. Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has issued grants to hundreds of different departments totaling more than $16 million. Independent insurance agencies/brokers that sell Fireman’s Fund products, like Maury, Donnelly & Parr, Inc., are able to direct these grants to support fire stations in their communities.

About Maury, Donnelly & Parr, Inc.
Maury, Donnelly & Parr, Inc., in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, administers an insurance program that specializes in historic property insurance and acts as a resource for non-profit and historic property owner’s countrywide. Located in historic downtown Baltimore, the agency, which has been in business since 1875, fills a large need within the preservation community. MDP offers insurance programs for historic theatres, religious organizations, historic hotels, main street organizations and historic sites/museums.

About Fireman’s Fund
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance company providing personal, commercial and specialty insurance products nationwide. Founded in 1863 with a mission to support firefighters, Fireman’s Fund continues this mission today through the Fireman’s Fund Heritage program. Fireman’s Fund is a member of the Allianz Group (NYSE: AZ), one of the world’s largest providers of insurance and other financial services. It is rated 'A+' by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. For more information, visit www.firemansfund.com.

Ships in Bottles and World Wetlands Day:
Upcoming Programs at CBMM

ST. MICHAELS, MD—Children ages 9- to 12-years-old are in for a treat on Saturday, February 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, as local model maker Jim Wortman will lead a special workshop on how to, “Build a Skipjack in a Bottle.” Participants will construct their very own ship in a bottle using traditional techniques. The skipjack, one of the Chesapeake Bay’s icons, will serve as inspiration for this model-making activity. All tools and materials needed to construct the project will be provided. The class will be held in the Museum’s Steamboat Building. The project materials cost is $12 for CBMM members and $15 for non-members which includes admission to the Museum. Reservations are required.

World Wetlands Day

Join the Museum for World Wetlands Day on Saturday, February 2, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Celebrated for the first time in 1997, World Wetlands Day focuses on the relationships of wetlands and the communities in which they are situated. Each year, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of the benefits of wetlands. The theme for this year is “Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People.” Learn about wetlands and create your own mini-filtration system using recycled materials. The program will be held in the Museum’s Steamboat Building. The cost is free for CBMM members and $3 for non-members.

These educational programs have been developed in conjunction with the Museum’s “Chesapeake Icons” exhibition, which is on display through mid-June in their Steamboat Building. The exhibition and programs are funded in part by grants from Choptank Electric Trust, John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, and Maryland Historical Trust. For more information on the Museum and/or upcoming programs, please call 410-745-2916.

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