Independence Seaport Museum

TO SUPPORT THE INSTALLATION OF A SERIES OF PUBLIC ARTWORKS AND ARTIST-LED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS AT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTERS THAT SPAN CAMDEN COUNTY NEW JERSEY AND PHILADELPHIAS DELAWARE RIVER WATERFRONT.

THE INDEPENDENCE SEAPORT MUSEUM WILL MAKE REPAIRS TO THE HULL OF THE CRUISER, OLYMPIA— THE OLDEST REMAINING STEEL SHIP AFLOAT. INFORMED BY PREVIOUS RESTORATION EFFORTS AND REMEDIATION WORK TO THE VESSEL, THE MUSEUM CURATOR AND STAFF WILL COORDINATE A CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF THE HISTORIC WARSHIP AND OVERSEE RESTORATION EFFORTS. THE CONSERVATION PROJECT FOCUSES ON RESTORING A SECTION OF THE HULL THAT HAS SUFFERED EXTENSIVE OXIDATION AND DETERIORATION CAUSED BY ABRASION. USING SURFACE PIERCING AND COFFERDAM TECHNOLOGY, THE SECTION OF THE HULL IDENTIFIED AS THE AREA OF GREATEST NEED FOR RESTORATION WILL BE CLEANED, SCALED TO BARE METAL, AND COATED WITH PROTECTIVE EPOXY AND PAINT. REPAIRS TO THE VESSEL WILL ENABLE THE MUSEUM TO SECURE THE WATERTIGHT INTEGRITY OF THE VESSEL FOR CONTINUED PUBLIC PROGRAMMING.