Post by pearldiver on May 16, 2006 13:34:24 GMT -8
Ok.... Here we go now. The building is all in order and the wreck diving artifacts and Old Scuba gear are in boxes all over the place. I'll start with information on the museum first.
Lockwood Pioneer Scuba Diving Museum
Dedicated to those individuals who have made the sport of scuba diving what it is today.
James E. Lockwood was born in Racine, Wisconsin and was known to many as an explorer, inventor, and entrepreneur. He was also known as part of the 'Milwaukee Trio', which consisted of Jack Browne, President of DESCO (Deep Water Diving Helmets & Equipment) Max Gene Hohl, Vice President and Chief Engineer of DESCO (and also known as the world deepwater record holder at 420 feet in 1937), and Jim Lockwood, inventor of a diving lung in 1938 as well as an underwater housing for the Bell & Howell camera which was used during the 1930's filming of the original Tarzan movies. After Jim's passing in 2003, it was decided to honor this man; a man who was truly one of the first pioneers of scuba diving, as well as those individuals whose efforts and achievements were also instrumental in making the sport what it is today.
The LOCKWOOD PIONEER SCUBA MUSEUM, and IRS recognized non-for-profit organization, has recieved a grant to create and maintain a museum which will be located in Loves Park, IL, adjacent to Loves Park Scuba, in the newly constructed Lighthouse Point Retail Center. The museum occupies 2000 square feet within this new building. Loves Park, ILlinois is located approximately 90 minutes from Chicago and within the heart of the Great Lakes Shipwreck diving community.
The Lockwood Pioneer Scuba Diving Museum is asking the individuals, manufacturers, and corporations for its support to maintain its existence. Additional exhibits and artifacts are needed for display. The museum currently has a variaty of vintage scuba equipment and shipwreck artifacts for its displays, however, donations or loaner exhibits are welcome. Corporate and manufacturer sponsorships are also available.
Lockwood Pioneer Diving Museum
7307 N Alpine Road
Loves Park, IL 61111
815-633-6969
info@lockwoodmuseum.com
The date for the Grand Opening is set for October or November. As of yesterday, I spoke to Dan Johnson (owner of Loves Park Scuba and taking on this project) and he does not want the museum to be tacky in any way. Here is what we discussed. There are four areas to work with. One is a 'Hollywood Diving' theme that Zale Perry is helping to construct and organize. A Great Lakes shipwreck theme, that 80% of our artifacts that have been cleaned and arranged will be located. All the artifacts including the name plates from the LUMBERMAN will be on display along with the ships wheel and Helm from the Kate Kelly. I donated all but one of my ballast lead bars and dead eyes off her. Lots of artifacts too numerous to mention, Donkey engines etc. Not some pile of junk here. No... The next section is a Help keep the Sea's clean, or a theme in that order, the next of course I am in charge of and need a desperate amount of help with. The theme is "Evolution of Diving". Dan has all this old dive gear in boxes. He has no idea what goes where, it's just in a pile. I would like to beg and plead with you folks to help me either physically to come and organize this stuff, or help get the gear in fine looking order. Now, I see there are Voit lables and harnesses and all kinds of stuff you guys have been making or made. I would like the gear to look nice and fresh, not some gob of crap hanging off a maniquen. It's professional all the way, or no go here. If I need help to restore a tank, I would send the tank to you and have it re-done to brand spanking new looking shape. Same with regulators. A1 all the way. I have two or three sets of hard hat diving gear, the complete set with the hand crank compressor donated by Gene Turner. It is all restored and pumps air. Dan worked on the compressor for three months getting it perfect. It's beautiful and it's a huge one. Not some pump you carry around in a car. No, this thing must weigh 700 pounds and has brass pistons and rods. It's gorgeous. I happen to be clueless on Mark V gear or things like that. Remember, I don't collect this stuff, I just use it to dive with!! The entire museum will be geared towards educating youth and students alike along with the folks interested in diving. Our plan is to have a movie screen surrounding the walls playing movies or showing slides of underwater history, things like that. If anyone is good at figuring out how to do this, please let me know, or get into contact with Danny. Our next step is to contact Stan Waterman and ask for some films. He did some great work on sharks way back when. The people coming into the musuem, would have an opportunity to try out scuba diving free, or I think the saying is a 'Free Scuba Experience' in Dannys indoor custom made pool. There are regulators, hookah style that people can use rather than strapping on a tank etc. Our Grand Opening diving celebrities include so far.... Zale Perry. She will be in attendance and now is the time to make history yourself with this project. As soon as my scanner is working, I'll have Linda post a photo of the museum exterior for you. If you have any questions, please email me. If you want to help out, Dan will pay for lodging for you, or you can stay at my house in the camper. It's nice and tidy and cozy. Thank you. Gayle
Lockwood Pioneer Scuba Diving Museum
Dedicated to those individuals who have made the sport of scuba diving what it is today.
James E. Lockwood was born in Racine, Wisconsin and was known to many as an explorer, inventor, and entrepreneur. He was also known as part of the 'Milwaukee Trio', which consisted of Jack Browne, President of DESCO (Deep Water Diving Helmets & Equipment) Max Gene Hohl, Vice President and Chief Engineer of DESCO (and also known as the world deepwater record holder at 420 feet in 1937), and Jim Lockwood, inventor of a diving lung in 1938 as well as an underwater housing for the Bell & Howell camera which was used during the 1930's filming of the original Tarzan movies. After Jim's passing in 2003, it was decided to honor this man; a man who was truly one of the first pioneers of scuba diving, as well as those individuals whose efforts and achievements were also instrumental in making the sport what it is today.
The LOCKWOOD PIONEER SCUBA MUSEUM, and IRS recognized non-for-profit organization, has recieved a grant to create and maintain a museum which will be located in Loves Park, IL, adjacent to Loves Park Scuba, in the newly constructed Lighthouse Point Retail Center. The museum occupies 2000 square feet within this new building. Loves Park, ILlinois is located approximately 90 minutes from Chicago and within the heart of the Great Lakes Shipwreck diving community.
The Lockwood Pioneer Scuba Diving Museum is asking the individuals, manufacturers, and corporations for its support to maintain its existence. Additional exhibits and artifacts are needed for display. The museum currently has a variaty of vintage scuba equipment and shipwreck artifacts for its displays, however, donations or loaner exhibits are welcome. Corporate and manufacturer sponsorships are also available.
Lockwood Pioneer Diving Museum
7307 N Alpine Road
Loves Park, IL 61111
815-633-6969
info@lockwoodmuseum.com
The date for the Grand Opening is set for October or November. As of yesterday, I spoke to Dan Johnson (owner of Loves Park Scuba and taking on this project) and he does not want the museum to be tacky in any way. Here is what we discussed. There are four areas to work with. One is a 'Hollywood Diving' theme that Zale Perry is helping to construct and organize. A Great Lakes shipwreck theme, that 80% of our artifacts that have been cleaned and arranged will be located. All the artifacts including the name plates from the LUMBERMAN will be on display along with the ships wheel and Helm from the Kate Kelly. I donated all but one of my ballast lead bars and dead eyes off her. Lots of artifacts too numerous to mention, Donkey engines etc. Not some pile of junk here. No... The next section is a Help keep the Sea's clean, or a theme in that order, the next of course I am in charge of and need a desperate amount of help with. The theme is "Evolution of Diving". Dan has all this old dive gear in boxes. He has no idea what goes where, it's just in a pile. I would like to beg and plead with you folks to help me either physically to come and organize this stuff, or help get the gear in fine looking order. Now, I see there are Voit lables and harnesses and all kinds of stuff you guys have been making or made. I would like the gear to look nice and fresh, not some gob of crap hanging off a maniquen. It's professional all the way, or no go here. If I need help to restore a tank, I would send the tank to you and have it re-done to brand spanking new looking shape. Same with regulators. A1 all the way. I have two or three sets of hard hat diving gear, the complete set with the hand crank compressor donated by Gene Turner. It is all restored and pumps air. Dan worked on the compressor for three months getting it perfect. It's beautiful and it's a huge one. Not some pump you carry around in a car. No, this thing must weigh 700 pounds and has brass pistons and rods. It's gorgeous. I happen to be clueless on Mark V gear or things like that. Remember, I don't collect this stuff, I just use it to dive with!! The entire museum will be geared towards educating youth and students alike along with the folks interested in diving. Our plan is to have a movie screen surrounding the walls playing movies or showing slides of underwater history, things like that. If anyone is good at figuring out how to do this, please let me know, or get into contact with Danny. Our next step is to contact Stan Waterman and ask for some films. He did some great work on sharks way back when. The people coming into the musuem, would have an opportunity to try out scuba diving free, or I think the saying is a 'Free Scuba Experience' in Dannys indoor custom made pool. There are regulators, hookah style that people can use rather than strapping on a tank etc. Our Grand Opening diving celebrities include so far.... Zale Perry. She will be in attendance and now is the time to make history yourself with this project. As soon as my scanner is working, I'll have Linda post a photo of the museum exterior for you. If you have any questions, please email me. If you want to help out, Dan will pay for lodging for you, or you can stay at my house in the camper. It's nice and tidy and cozy. Thank you. Gayle