The USS John F. Kennedy museum is committed to obtaining the carrier for use as a stationary public museum/memorial. As a ship museum, the ship’s mooring will enhance Portland Harbor as a destination for both Maine families and tourists. Should the carrier be donated to our organization, it will be used to immerse visitors in maritime history. Displays and attractions will educate visitors on Maine’s maritime and shipbuilding legacy. Visitors will also learn about the history of the carrier itself, its role in the U.S. Navy, and both the types of aircraft it housed and the operations carried out by crew members.
While the USS John F. Kennedy Museum will compliment Portland’s beaches, historic forts, and lighthouses as a powerful visitor attraction, the community will also see an influx of jobs, as care of the carrier-museum will require significant labor. We estimate that more than 100 permanent positions will be required to maintain this floating museum while an additional 200 positions will initially restore the ship.
In addition to the vessel’s role as a museum, the spaces afforded by the aircraft carrier will be used as revenue-generating venues, including a convention center, small boutique hotel, restaurant, gift shop, library, classrooms, and an education center (where area children will be immersed in history during overnight stays on board). Open areas of the ship could be used to accommodate Naval ceremonies, pinnings, reunions, seasonal festivals and celebrations, and even weddings. We also anticipate working with local trade-schools, colleges and universities in the development of regional work-study programs in the trades – from mathematics and the sciences to navigation and welding.
The benefits of bringing increased tourism, additional jobs, and educational opportunities to the area will only help in making this prospective landmark a future “must see” and icon of the City of Portland and the State of Maine.
Specialties
Maritime history, naval history, military history, aircraft carrier museum
