In the summer of 2016, Bob Moritz and I approached the Mariners’ Museum regarding a suitable means to celebrate the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the HRSMS in 2017. After several meetings and discussions on the details of when and where, an agreement was settled upon. It was decided to showcase our work in the temporary gallery adjacent to the Huntington Room in the Mariners’ Museum. The work to prepare and set up the exhibit started in earnest in early summer of 2017. The exhibit would run from August 5, 2017 thru February 11, 2018.
Work began with the removal of the previous exhibit and organizing the space for our models. Priscilla Hauger, Director of Exhibitions, confered with her designs for the space.
Much preparatory work was put in before the models started coming in. We had to select the models to show, establish the exhibit’s order, design the spaces and set up an organized method to input the models. The logistics of what, on the surface, appeared simple. Quite the contrary.
IN CAME THE MODELS
One by one the ships sailed in thru the business entrance of the museum to be logged, photographed and processed into the spaces allocated by the exhibit master plan. You know what they say about plans…
Careful documentation was the order of the day. The museum staff treated our models as their own.Kevin Ritton logged in his Picket Boat No. 1 of 1864.Lee Martin wheeled in his HMS Bellona……and carefully presented it for processing.Even the best of care resulted in the repair of minor bumps from transit.Heinz Schiller sat proudly with his fleet of ships awaiting their turn to be inducted. In the foreground was his USS Olympia. Sitting in front of Heinz was the amazingly constructed San Felipe of 1690 and French Xebec, both in 1:75 scale.Cindy and Rachel paid meticulous attention to their work. “Just in a day’s work,” they said.
John Proudley waited patiently with his Yacht America.Mike Amicone prepared his Frierich Wilhelm Zu Pferde of 1685. That’s a mouthful. In the background was Howard Hoege III, President and CEO of the Mariners’ Museum and Park, keeping a watchful eye on the progress. His enthusiasm for this project exceeded all our expectations.Mike made minor adjustments to his “Pferde” before saying goodbye to his boat…it’s only six months, Mike.Bob Moritz filled out his forms for his entries USS Baltimore and USS Walke. Also on the table were three of Alan Frazer’s award winning models.Adirondack Guide-Boat, New York Central No.29 lighter and the Saint Lawrence River Skiff by the late Alan Frazer.Ulrich Guenther loaned his Mary of 1660 to the exhibit.Stewart Winn stood with a couple of his models. The USS Essex of 1799 was in back.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Priscilla and Rachel started to place the models. A carefully designed arrangement soon fell to adjustments and tweaking. Each model’s position was balanced between lighting and visibility while trying to remain true to the original scheme.
“I think we should move this one over there.”Keeping the museum patrons at bay was an ongoing challenge as we worked in full view of the visitors.Almost ready save for a few models yet to be placed.
OPENING NIGHT
THE RECEPTION PARTY
A reception, hosted by the Mariners’ Museum, opening the 50th Anniversary Exhibit was held in the Huntington Room at the museum. Officiating the event was Howard H Hoege III, President and CEO. His exuberance for the exhibit and welcoming nature put everyone instantly at ease.
Howard H Hoege III, President and CEO of the Mariners’ Museum and Park
After a few comments by Ron Lewis, “Skipper” Gene Berger, of the Hampton Roads Ship Model Society welcomed the attendees and said a few words about the hard work putting this event together. Many people within the museum pulled together to make this a success. From Priscilla Hauger, Director of Exhibitions, who designed the exhibit, Jeanne Willoz-Egnor, Director of Collections, and her staff Cindy and Rachel, to the carpenters and helpers who made this all happen.
It was then time to celebrate, and for many, view the exhibit for the first time. To the club members who contributed their efforts and beautiful models, it was time to humbly accept the accolades. There was very little restraint shown. Let the party begin…
John Proudley, his wife Ann and family.The museum went all out with food and drink.From left to right, Karen and Steve Mendenhall, Mary Harrington, Mary Ann and “Z” Ford.Charlotte and James Tarantino with Bob and Jan Moritz.Many of the club members had no idea that this much talent resided right under their noses.Until the exhibit opened, many of these models had not been out of their homes.Kevin Ritton with his Picket boat.George and Shirley LivingstonThere were many details and much to admire.Dave Baker and his Prawn Boat.“I would have gone bigger.”Howard, making the rounds. The consummate host.Mike Amicone and his amazing USS Confederacy.
Gene Berger and his creation, SS United States.Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Here John and Ann Proudley scrutinize fine workmanship.
THE MODELS
Santa Maria, Spanish 1460 Model Maker, Ron Lewis, Scale 1:103HMS Victory, British 1765 Model Maker, John Proudley, Scale 1:78Grosse Yacht, Prussia 1678 Model Maker, Heinz Schiller, Scale 1:200Xebec, French 1750 Model Maker, Heinz Schiller, Scale 1:75Armed Virginia Sloop, American Colonies 1768 Model Maker, Stewart Winn, Scale 1:48HMS Bounty, British 1781 Model Maker, Heinz Schiller, Scale 1:50 HMS Bounty’s Launch, British 1789 Model Maker, Dennis Hobbs, Scale 1:16Royal Caroline, British 1749 Model Maker, Lee Martin, Scale 1:47Mary, Dutch 1660 Model Maker, Ulrich Guenther, Scale 1:54“Double Dugout” Tobacco Canoe, 1748 Model Maker, Ron LewisSan Felipe, Spanish 1690 Model Maker, Heinz Schiller, Scale 1:75Friedrich Wilhelm Zu Pferde, Dutch 1685 Model Maker, Mike Amicone, Scale 1:45La Couronne, French 1637 Model Maker, Lee Martin, Scale 1:100USS Constitution, American 1797 Model Maker, Pat Roll, Scale 1:73USS Confederacy, American 1778 Model Maker, Mike Amicone, Scale 1:64HMS Bellona, British 1760 Model Maker, Lee Martin, Scale 1:100Prince William, Dutch 1651 Model Maker, Lee Martin, Scale 1:100
Emma C. Berry, American 1866 Model Maker, Mike Amicone, Scale 1:32Yacht America, American ca.1851 Model Maker, Bill Altice, Scale 1:64USS Monitor, American (Union) 1862 Model Maker, John Cheevers, Scale 1:128USS Onondaga, American (Union) 1864 Model Maker, Charles Landrum, Scale 1:192CSS Atlanta, American (Confederacy) 1863 Model Maker, Charles Landrum, Scale 1:245USS Monitor, American (Union) 1862 Model Maker, Charles Landrum, Scale 1:144Yacht America, American ca.1851 Model Maker, John Proudley, Scale 1:48CSS Virginia, American (Confederacy) 1861 Model Maker, Bill Fox, Scale 1:96USS Essex, American 1799 Model Maker, Stewart Winn, Scale 1:76Swordfish, American 1851 Model Maker, Stewart Winn, Scale 1:128Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack, American ca.1800s Model Maker, Greg Harrington, Scale 1:24Swift, American, 1800 Model Maker, Dave Baker, Scale 1:50Volante, American 1853 Model Maker, Ulrich Guenther, Scale 1:96USS Kearsarge, American (Union) 1861 Model Maker, John Proudley, Scale 1:96Adirondack Guide-boat, American circa 1889 Model Maker, Alan Frazier, Scale 1:12Picket Boat No.1, American (Union) 1864 Model Maker, Kevin Ritton, Scale 1:24Bluenose, American 1921 Model Maker, Bruce Brown
Cule’ and Chata, Portuguese 19th century Model Maker, Greg Harrington, Scale 1:40Dorothy, American 1881 Model Maker, Bill Fox, Scale 1:64Victorian Steam Launch, British ca.1900 Tony Clayton, Model Maker, Scale 1:26Prawn Boat, German 20th century Model Maker, Dave BakerSaint Lawrence River Skiff, American 19th and 20th Century Alan Frazier, Model Maker, Scale 1:12Bluenose, American 1921 Model Maker, Hank Ghittino, Scale 1:100Grand Banks Dory, American 1870 Model Maker, Fred Olsen, Scale 1:12USS Olympia, C-6, American 1895 Model Maker, Heinz Schiller, Scale 1:128HMS Victoria, British 1887 Model Maker, Heinz Schiller, Scale 1:192Racing Shell, American ca.1930 Model Maker, George LivingstonType XXI U-Boat, German WW II Model Maker, Tim Wood, Scale 1:350USS Balao, SS-285, American WWII Model Maker, Gene Berger, Scale 1:32
USS Baltimore, CA-68, American WWII Model Maker, Bob Moritz, Scale 1:350SC-1075, 110′ Sub Chaser, American WWII Model Maker, Gene Berger, Scale 1:32SS United States, American 1952 Model Maker, Gene Berger, Scale 1:96PT-Boat, American WWII Model maker, Bill Altice, Scale 1:35New York Central No. 29, American 1912 Model Maker Alan Frazier, Scale 1:128Suzanne, American ca.1950 Model Maker, Marty Gromovsky, Scale 1:60USS Lansdowne, DD-486, American WWII Model Maker, Charles Landrum, Scale 1:350USS Walke, DD-723, American WWII Model Maker, Bob Moritz, Scale 1:192Type-A Mini Sub, Japanese WWII Model Maker, Gene Berger, Scale 1:32USS Kendall C. Campbell, DE-443, American WWII Model Maker, Gene Berger, Scale 1:96The Hampton Roads Ship Model Society’s 50th Anniversary Exhibit at the Mariners’ Museum, Newport News, Virginia
GOING HOME
ALL good things must eventually end. The models are gingerly removed from the cases where, for the past six months they enjoyed the quiet and peace of the museum.Each model was meticulously handled and processed.Bruce has a discussion with Priscilla, the designer of our exhibit, about another project with the museum.After the models were removed from cases, they were photographed.Greg Harrington’s Cule and Chata getting the treatment.Yacht AMERICA by John Proudley was next under the lights.Setting up a personal photo for the builder.Pat Roll proudly smiles for the camera with his stunning USS CONSTITUTION.Last moment adjustments made by Kevin Ritton. Everything must be perfect for the glamour shot.After several attempts, Kevin is satisfied with the results.Heinz Schiller smiles for the camera, and why not? He had much to be proud of.Heinz’s rendition of HMS BOUNTY was masterfully crafted.
The day ended with all the modelers reclaiming their pride and joy’s and thus, the exhibit came to an end. The past six months went by far too quickly. Everyone who had the opportunity to view the models at the Mariners’ Museum went away with newfound appreciation for the art of ship model building and the caliber of workmanship involved.
The Hampton Roads Ship Model Society is honored the Mariners’ Museum gave us the opportunity to showcase our art. The exhibit represented a life time effort by a group whose meticulous workmanship would otherwise have gone unappreciated. Thank you.
