Join us as stewards of
The Mariners’ Word-class Collection
The Bronze Door Society is the oldest, member-managed affinity group of The Mariners’ Museum and Park. This active group of Museum patrons and community leaders gather regularly throughout the year to engage with one another and participate in Museum initiatives.
The efforts of The Bronze Door Society are rooted in:
- Encourage an in-depth understanding of the Museum’s collections, and library archives.
- Support the Museum’s mission and programs by funding the conservation of artifacts, works of art, and archival materials.
- Provide educational programs and learning opportunities for the community.
The society is named for the spectacular set of maritime-themed bronze doors that were commissioned by Museum co-founder, Archer M. Huntington, and created in the early 1930’s by renowned American sculptor, Herbert C. Adams, specifically for the Museum’s original entrance.
Ms. Carole Rekrut, Chair
Mr. Avery Collins, Treasurer
Mr. Ron Lewis, Secretary
Ms. Sandra B. Armstrong
Mr. Charles M. Brooks
Mr. Gerald S. Hanley
Mrs. Marjorie G. Holt
Mrs. Cynthia N. Katz
Mr. Stuart E. Katz
Mrs. Sandra N. Parks
Mrs. Sarah Phillips
- Mrs. Carolyn S. Abbitt
- Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Allen III
- Ms. Sandra B. Armstrong and Mr. Thomas Richmond
- Dennie and Shawen Bartol
- Mrs. Susan Berg
- Admiral Harold Bernsen and Mrs. Bernsen
- Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bonis
- Drs. Bruce and Cassianne Booth
- Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Bowen
- Mr. Michael Brookman
- Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Brooks
- Mrs. Susan C. Brooks and Mr. Daniel W. Pritchard
- Mrs. Georgia S. Buxton
- Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey R. Carlson
- Dr. and Mrs. Brad Carmines
- Mr. William R. Carpenter III
- Dr. William B. Cogar
- Mr. and Mrs. John A. Collins
- Ms. Bobbie Lewis Contino
- Mrs. Judy A. Copes
- Dr. and Mrs. Joe H. Dew
- Dr. and Mrs. John P. Doley
- Mr. and Mrs. Olaf L. Elton
- Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Etherington
- Mr. Lee H. Fairchild and Mrs. Ann C.S. Fairchild
- Mrs. Martha M. Field
- Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Fosdick
- Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Frix
- Dr. and Mrs. Wallace K. Garner, M.D.
- Dr. Emmeline Gasink and Mr. Michael Gasink
- Mr. and Mrs. Gordon L. Gentry, Jr.
- Rob and Susan Goetz
- Mr. and Mrs. Pax A. Goodson
- Mr. H. Carlyle Gravely III
- Dr. and Mrs. Ward G. Gypson, Jr.
- Mr. and Mrs. Gerald S. Hanley
- Mr. and Mrs. Philip L. Hatchett
- Mr. and Mrs. Ted G. Hemmert
- Mrs. Martha R. Hightower
- Captain Richard S. Hillyer, Ret.
- Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hodge
- Howard and Cinda Hoege
- John and Margie Holt
- Mrs. Nancy E. Horgan
- Mrs. Evelyn P. Hutchens
- Mr. and Mrs. Kendall C. Jones
- Lt Col Jack L. Jordan, USAF, Retired and CAPT Jan P. Jordan, USN, Retired
- Mr. and Mrs. Stuart E. Katz
- Mrs. Mary L. Kelsey
- Pixie and Bob Killebrew
- Drs. Steven and Mary Kate Kitay
- Mr. James R. Knight
- Troy and Ingrid Knowlton
- Frederick and Phyllis Kohlman
- Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Lanier
- Mary Kay Lawson
- Dr. and Mrs. St. George T. Lee
- Ron and Chris Lewis
- Mr. and Mrs. C. Max Lindner III
- Ms. Marcia A. Liebel and Mr. Ted W. Mittler
- Dr. John Q. A. Mattern II
- Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Meehan, Sr.
- Dr. Jennifer Michaeli
- Mr. and Mrs. Venner F. Milewski
- Mr. and Mrs. John B. Morgan II
- Ms. Susan S. Mullally
- Dr. Patricia A. Nahormek
- Ms. Mary Neale
- Mr. and Mrs. James E. Neff
- Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Nixon
- Dr. Douglas L. Nelson and Dr. Susan E. Mackel
- Mr. and Mrs. William G. Ouzts
- Mrs. Sandra N. Parks
- Mr. Stephen and Mrs. Pamela Patterson
- Dr. and Mrs. William F. Peach, Jr.
- Dr. and Mrs. James D. Penny
- Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Phillips, Jr.
- Mrs. Rita G. Potter
- Mr. John V. Quarstein
- Mr. and Mrs. Don Ragland
- Ms. Carole L. Rekrut and Mr. Scott L. Edelman
- Bill and Tudie Saunders
- Heinz and Mareke Schiller
- Mr. H.J. Shaw
- Mr. and Mrs. Conway H. Sheild III
- Mr. Charles Sibre
- Mr. Howard P. Smith
- Ms. Nan L. Smith
- Mr. and Mrs. Norbert F. Smith
- Mrs. Robert G. Smola
- Mr. and Mrs. Rick S. Spaulding
- Mr. and Mrs. John W. Staton
- Dr. and Mrs. John R. Stephens
- Mrs. Martha P. Stewart
- Dr. and Mrs. Parker Stokes
- Mrs. Mary H. Thompson
- CDR Richard L. Thompson, USN (Ret) and Mrs. Easter R. Thompson
- Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Tiller
- Dr. JoAnne Trimbur and Mr. Jeffery Trimbur
- Mr. Michael W. Turner
- Ms. Marguerite K. Vail
- Dr. and Mrs. Dan W. Waddill
- Ms. Teresa Cooper Ward
- Dr. and Mrs. James A. Wassum
- Judge Christopher R. Papile and Mrs. Veronica Weymouth
- Mrs. Virginia Fitzhugh Wilson
- Dr. H. Alexander Wilson III and Dr. Anne Leddy
- Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Winn
- Mr. and Mrs. William C. Wooldridge
What are The Bronze Doors at The Mariners’ Museum and Park?
Discover the rich history of The Bronze Doors at The Mariners’ Museum and Park. These remarkable doors, renowned for their detailed craftsmanship, tell the story of maritime heritage and the enduring spirit of exploration. Learn about their creation, significance, and how they continue to captivate visitors with their artistic and historical importance.
Bronze Door Society Events
Annually, the Society presents The Mariners’ Sips & Trips event where the public is invited to an evening at the Museum to enjoy unlimited wine tastings and curated food pairings while exploring rarely seen artifacts and fascinating maritime stories. The proceeds of this event, along with Society members’ membership contributions, are designated to support the Museum’s work in conserving its world-class collections.
Each October, the Society gathers for the Annual Dinner & Project Selection, where Museum team members present an array of conservation projects and funding needs. Members cast their votes at the event and provide funds for numerous projects. Since 2020, the Society has fully funded every project presented, and the Museum could not be more grateful for their commitment!
Upcoming Events:
- Annual BDS Garden Party
Sunday, April 27 • 1 p.m - The Mariners’ Sips & Trips
Presented by The Bronze Door Society
Saturday, June 28, 2025 • 6:30 p.m. - Conservation Behind the Scenes
Thursday, September 25 • 6 p.m. - The Bronze Door Society Annual
Dinner & Project Selection
Friday, October 24 • 6 p.m. - President’s Reception & Evening Lecture
TBD - Storytime with Santa
Presented by The Bronze Door Society
Sunday, November 30 • 9 a.m.
Saturday, December 6 • 9 a.m. - State of the Museum Breakfast
Saturday, December 13 • 10 a.m.
Testimonials
Contact Us
For more information, contact:
Sherri Fosdick
Senior Individual Philanthropy Officer
[email protected]
(757) 591-7730