The former rectory houses several small exhibits dedicated to the history of New York Shipbuilding Corporation, the Henson-Peary explorations, the Port of Camden, and other local maritime subjects. Open by appointment.
Outreach programs:
Urban BoatWorks This is a wooden boatbuilding program offered in partnership with Urban Trekkers and the Cooper River Yacht Club. Located at the museum’s boatshop, Camden middle and high school students have built a variety of small boats (rowboats, sailboats, canoes and kayaks) and launched them in the Cooper River. The program includes water safety instruction, swimming lessons and sailing instruction. The program includes several boating and camping trips. The boats are sold and proceeds go towards the program. Funded by I BOAT NJ and Urban Trekkers.
See: www.urbantrekkers.org/urban-boatworks
Marine Ecology Education This program is offered in conjunction with “All Hands on Deck-Delaware River”, a program of the N.J. Marine Sciences Consortium. This program is for middle school science teachers and their students and offers a shipboard laboratory with hands-on experiments and activities as well as an orientation to the history of the Port of Camden-Philadelphia. A voyage on the Delaware River on the schooner North Wind and other maritime oriented field trips are a major feature of this exciting new program.
See: www.njmsc.org/AHOD.html
AmeriCorps/NCCC and VISTA Project
In partnership with the Camden Children’s Garden, the museum is housing teams of AmeriCorps volunteers who provide work for non-profit organizations in Camden City. Projects include expanding Camden’s urban gardening program as well as work at the museum. In addition, the museum is hosting a VISTA worker who provides staff services.
See: www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp
Capital projects:
Matthew Henson Statue
A life-sized statue honoring Mr. Matthew Henson,
Arctic mariner
and co-discoverer of the North Pole. Funded by I BOAT NJ. Completed.
Boatbuilding Workshops Funded by I BOAT NJ. Ongoing.
Church Restoration
Restoration and adaptation of the historic maritime Church of Our Savior
into a first class museum. Partially funded, ongoing.
Under Development:
Housing the Shipbuilders of West Jersey
An Exhibition Examining the Founding of the Communities of Fairview,
Brooklawn, Audubon Park and Bellmawr Park.
The Ports of Southern New Jersey:
Engine of Regional Prosperity and Growth
An exhibition and educational module for secondary schools.
Maritime explorers of the Arctic:
Matthew Henson and Robert and Josephine Perry’s Quest to reach the North Pole
An exhibition and an educational module for secondary schools.
