So much joy today as we share the news that we finally have a new home!
There have been many stops and starts of sites we thought we had, an entire pandemic that caused us to delay our plans to open, and now with all that behind us, the ink is dry and the keys are ours and we are so pleased to announce our new location at the historic Tilghman Bank building on Main Street on this tiny island on the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, near historic St. Michaels where the country’s largest sea glass festival is held annually (its founder Kim Hannon, also President of the North American Sea Glass Association, is on our board of directors). The museum is also near where Pure Sea Glass was written; its author Richard LaMotte, founder of the North American Sea Glass Association, is also on our board. Founder of The Sea Glass Center in Maine, Danielle Perreault and Beachcombing Center Executive Director Mary McCarthy (Vice President of the North American Sea Glass Association) met recently in New York where Mary picked up some museum cases in preparation for exhibits. Together with board member Kirsti Scott, publisher of Beachcombing magazine, the entire board is thrilled about the news.
The building was constructed in 1915, mostly recently serving as a nautical bookstore for many years, and will require some renovations prior to its opening. We have named the building “The Beach Bank!” A ribbon cutting is tentatively being planned around the 4th of July. Stay tuned for more information and announcements on our social media pages: Instagram and Facebook.
We are so grateful for everyone who helped raise funds to make this happen! Every cent of the initial fundraiser money was saved and is being used for the opening of this building. Stay tuned for news of our new annual membership program, so that you can join in our ongoing efforts to keep the building one and maintain it!
If you would like to help, we are in need of volunteers at the museum, exhibit and event planning, mural painting, gardening, graphic and web design, bookkeeping, and other administrative help. Let us know how you’d like to help! Email info@thebeachcombingcenter.org