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FALL 2020 Reflections from the Third Director by Sherrod Sturrock

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FALL 2020 Reflections from the Third Director by Sherrod Sturrock VOL. 45 / NO. 3 FALL 2020 Reflections from the Third Director By Sherrod Sturrock “… all museums are essentially living in a theatre of dynamic change and movement … and there are more ways than we could imagine, to grow, adapt, change, and increase resiliency and sustainable development at every phase.” From a blog by Selma Holo and Maite Alvarez, Remix: Changing Conversations in Museums in the Americas Reflections ne of our founders, Alton Kersey, was volunteering for First Free Friday By Jeff Murray, Museum Director teaching kids how to tie knots and “lasso” pilings. Alton asked a boy if he liked the museum. He answered, “I love this place! It’s the best place in the Throughout this 50th Anniversary year, the O whole world!” And that, said Alton, is what it’s all about. For one of the museum’s Bugeye Times has documented the evolution and founders to hear that excitement and passion from a child was a dream fulfilled. I had development of the Calvert Marine Museum. In the Winter 2019/20 issue, Rachelle Green and Robert the privilege of being part of this very special place and the responsibility of carrying Hurry shared the museum’s beginnings in Volunteers on the legacy handed down from people like Alton. With Vision, an origin story that celebrates the local In 2016, I was named director of the Calvert Marine Museum. Working with volunteers who banded together to preserve local Doug Alves as the deputy director since 2004, I gained valuable insight into the history. In the Spring 2020 issue, Dr. Ralph Eshelman museum’s culture of mutual support which he fostered. I will always be grateful to regaled you with tales of the museum’s adolescence him for inviting me to join the staff, and for the support he gave me to do my job. with Reflections from the First Director, as he and his It was obvious early on that the museum’s success was a collective endeavor that staff figured out how tobe a museum. The Summer involved every person there. 2020 issue featured Doug Alves with Reflections from From my first day on the job to the day I retired in 2019, I loved the work. the Second Director. During his 25-year tenure, Doug Of course there were tough days, but even on the most difficult, I could take a walk brought the museum into its maturity with a strong and look out over the Drum Point focus on completing the first ambitious master plan, Lighthouse or go and watch the otters interspersed with the stories he is so well known in this issue… for. In this issue, Sherrod Sturrock shares her cavorting through the water or chat Reflections from the Third Director . 1 perspective in Reflections from the Third Director. She with a visitor who was delighted by From the Director . 2 oversaw a period of transition and rapid change at what they were learning and know New Dust Extraction System the museum. She also hired and mentored me in it was all going to be ok. When my for Fossil Preparation Lab . 6 preparation to assume the position as the fourth extended family gathered for the Early Bay Pilots and their Boats . 7 director of the Calvert Marine Museum. Taken Thanksgiving holiday, I could not A Tale of Two Turtles . 8 together, it is quite a story spanning 50 years of stop talking about all the fascinating Education Update . 9 celebrating the prehistory, natural history, and Bugeye Times: A Window things I had learned at my new job Into the Past . 9 maritime heritage of the Chesapeake Bay. about fossils and sea life and boats Activities & Events . 10 and lighthouses and the state of Volunteer Spotlight . 12 the oysters in the bay and… well, New Exhibit Opening in you get the picture. And that is one the Mezzanine Gallery . 12 of the true gifts of the museum — CMM Society News Museum Store . 13 there is so much to learn, so many A New Reality . 14 Membership . .. 15 Former and current directors, from left, are Board of Governors . 15 Dr. Ralph Eshelman, Doug Alves, Sherrod Sturrock, Continued on page 3 and Jeff Murray. (Photo by Rob Hurry) Staff Update . .. 16 Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums / www.calvertmarinemuseum.com time being, which after day. Deputy Director Rachelle Green in turn has caused merits additional praise for authoring and tremendous financial obtaining Health Department approval difficulties both here for the museum’s reopening plan, which By Jeff Murray and across the globe. guides what we do each and every day Nevertheless, I’ve with respect to the virus. Turning 50 in a Pandemic: never been more The pandemic has forced the proud of our staff museum to make some difficult financial New Pathways for New members and volunteers as I am at this decisions, cutting back in certain areas due Challenges moment! They have worked tirelessly to the temporary dormancy of some of utumn is my favorite time of over the last six months to limit exposure, our revenue streams. Wherever possible, year. Cooler temps and colorful suggest new and creative ideas for how to we have applied for and received COVID- leaves bring out nature’s beauty maintain social distancing in our spaces, related relief funding and were successful A re-think the ways in which we develop with multiple applications. In addition, and make for great hiking, biking, and working in the yard days. This year the and deliver programs, and re-open the the museum’s Board of Governors has season also marks a very special milestone museum in the safest and most welcoming formed a COVID fundraising committee for the Calvert Marine Museum, as environment possible. and already raised nearly $10,000 in th we celebrate 50 years of service to our Because of their efforts, there is their first effort, a 50 Anniversary community! Unfortunately, this hasn’t good news to report! Despite COVID Appeal. Their second effort is being led quite been the 50th anniversary year that capacity restrictions which limit visitation by board member Nancy Wieck and is a any of us had envisioned. The pandemic to a maximum of 225 guests each day, challenge to walk 50 miles for 50 years in th has rendered in-person gatherings and attendance has thus far beaten expectations. honor of CMM’s 50 anniversary — look celebrations of any size impossible for the Our Museum Store is doing VERY well, for information about this fundraiser with good sales throughout the summer elsewhere in the issue. 2021 will bring and September sales being nearly what different ideas for fundraising as we they were for the same month during the continue to navigate the new normal. past two years. Our two boats, the Wm. B Within the museum itself, there are Tennison and Dee of St. Mary’s, are operating some brand-new reasons to come (or at or near capacity for their public sails. come back). The Exhibits Department Quarterly Newsletter of the Vacation rental demand at Cove Point has just put the final touches on both the Calvert Marine Museum (A Division of Calvert County Government) Lighthouse is strong since it serves as a very USS Calvert exhibit in the military history and the nice place for guests to socially distance section of the Maritime History Gallery, Calvert Marine Museum Society, Inc. (ISSN 0887-651X) away from the large city. and also completed installation of a new Jeff Murray, Museum Director Our most important number, Mezzanine Gallery exhibit, Faces of the Robert Hurry, Editor however, remains at zero. We have thus Chesapeake. We continue to renovate Sherrod Sturrock, Assistant Editor far had no positive tests for COVID-19 and improve infrastructure at our three Kathleen Porecki, Copy Editor among our staff, volunteers, or family The bugeye was the traditional sailing craft locations. Having recently finished of the bay, and was built in all its glory at members. However, we are prepared renovation projects on the Drum Point Solomons, the “Bugeye Capital of the should that happen. CMM’s various Lighthouse roof and on the Cove Point World.” Membership dues are used to fund special museum projects, programs, and departments have developed backup and grounds and fog building, we now turn this newsletter. Address comments and emergency plans for coverage should our attention to the bulkhead in the boat membership applications to: one or more staff test positive in their basin under the Drum Point Lighthouse, Calvert Marine Museum Society, Inc. P.O. Box 97 • Solomons, MD 20688-0097 area, and many staff have stepped up and the Lore Oyster House. The former 410-326-2042 • FAX 410-326-6691 TDD 410-535-6355 and cross-trained to work in a different will replace a bulkhead that is due for Museum Store: 410-326-2750 department for a short time if necessary. repair, and roof and siding projects at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com Since CMM’s re-opening to the public the Lore Oyster House will stabilize that Layout by Stuller Designs on July 15, front-line staff have been historic building in preparation for future exemplary in the positive and proactive renovations. ways they have worked with museum We are also adding new team visitors. It is they who are making great members! As you’ll read about elsewhere sacrifices, including wearing their masks in this issue, we have two new staffers for hours at a time and policing the mask joining us this season: Dr. Victor Perez use of our patrons — not always an easy will complete his post-doctoral fellowship task.
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