Jim Lockwood Scuba Museum

[pearldiver]

Hey, we finally have signage. Here is the Loves Park Scuba shop and the Jim Lockwood Scuba museum next door. Pretty cool sign and very expensive. Now to finish the interior and get things set up. Right now everything is in piles and getting sorted out. I may have to buy a bunch of hoses from you guys to make the double hose regulators appear newer. As far as repairing them to function, that won't happen. Jim Lockwood was a pioneer in the rebreather area and the museum has his dive gear there and very primitive rebreathers along with many shipwreck artifacts from the Great Lakes. That was what I was mainly involved in for so many years. So we are collecting all the 'stuff' we raped and pillaged in the 70's and 80's from all the local divers and setting it up for display. When I get a chance, I'll snap a few photos, but it won't be for awhile. I don't know if any of you know Gene Turner, but he is an older gentleman who has found many of the wrecks in the Great Lakes. I remember spending days at a time stranded in his boat staring at the magnatometer and waiting for a read. Such a life back then telling lies around dinners and sharing stories. So here is the start, and I'll probably need help to figure out the year of gear so it is properly matched and shown in the museum. I just sent the photo to linda so she could add it here.

Gayle

[Linda]

Hi, Gayle-
I haven't received an email from you... try again?


Okay, got it.... there you go.

[Ron Hearn]

I definetly would like to see more photos as you set things up. I was wondering how the rent and bills get paid opening up a museum, will there be a charge.

Ron

[swimjim]

I would like to make the pilgrimage to see the mueseum. Where is it? When is it open? Is it open? I've heard of Love's Scuba. Northern Illinois, I think. Anyway, thanks in advance for the info.

Jim

[pearldiver]

At this time, I don't know if there will be a charge for the museum. The rent and bills get paid from the rentals of the other store fronts. The building houses about 20 storefronts. Much of the diving gear has been donated, and much has been purchased. This has been an endeavor that has covered almost 30 years. Jim Lockwood lived here in Rockford, IL years ago. I knew him as he went to the Rockford Divers meetings with Ed Thorne. Ed Thorne was a man who, I beleive had the first dive shop here in the midwest around 1956 or so. I was 12 years old and rode my bike to the meetings. Ed would give me free air tickets which I adored him for. Air at that time was $1.50 a fill. Ed and Jim were old then...To make a long story short. Jim happened by the dive shop while in his 90's and discussions turned into keeping photos, gear, etc. of Ed Thornes hardware and Jim Lockwoods things and making a museum. The old dive shop was a house with a few smaller exterior buildings and an indoor pool. Over the last six years, here is the new building (the upper floor sports my concrete work and finally last month...The sign. The museum isn't open yet, but I will let you know as soon as it is. It's late right now, so I'll write more when I'm able to.
Gayle

[duckbill]

pearldiver said:

I may have to buy a bunch of hoses from you guys to make the double hose regulators appear newer.

Dan advertizes used hoses which should be perfect for what you want.