The Bronze Door Society - Previous Events

Meet the Author: Michael Tougias

The Bronze Door Annual Dinner
Friday, October 12, 2012

Annual Meeting and Black Tie Selection Dinner, Society members and guests will enjoyed dinner in an elegant setting at the base of the Lancaster Eagle, in the Grand Lobby of the Museum. Members voted in the selection of funded activites for the Museum.

August 1, 2012 • 6 p.m.

The Bronze Door Society had a private reception to meet: Michael Tougias, author of The Finest Hours: The True Story Behind the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue. Reception was sponsored by Mr. Heinz Schiller.  Immediately following the reception, guests enjoyed Mr. Tougias’s lecture at 7:00 p.m.   

The Bronze Door Society Wine Classic
June 16, 2012

Behind the Scenes, Technology & New Media
March 24, 2012

Behind the Scenes, Follow the Fork
March 30, 2011

Annual Dinner and Awards
May 13, 2011

Celebrate the Bay Seafood and Wine Festival
June 18, 20122

Wreathing of the Lions
November 27, 2011

Behind The Scenes Tour
Wednesday, August 4, 2010 5:30 P.M.

On Wednesday evening, August 4^th, Bronze Door Society members and guests gathered for socializing and touring the Museum's Distance Learning Interactive Videoconferencing studios (IVC) located in the former Museum gift shop. Members were able to experience first-hand how the Distance Learning programs are produced and broadcast to classrooms around the country and oversees. For more information, call the Development Office at (757) 591-7714 or e-mail membership@MarinersMuseum.org.

Annual Selection Dinner-Meeting
Friday, May 14, 2010
The Mariners' Museum Eagle Lobby

Our Annual Meeting and Black Tie Selection Dinner, attended by 77 Society members and guests was held on Friday evening, May 14th, in an elegant setting at the base of the Lancaster Eagle, in the Grand Lobby of the Museum . Ron Lewis, Chairman of the Steering Council, presided over the evening.

During the evening, a slide show presentation “The Bronze Door Legacy” featured the winners of the past twelve membership elections, highlighting the significant contributions our Society has made to further the Museum’s mission.

Following dinner, presenters from the Collections Staff, Education Department and Library put forth valiant efforts to showcase their projects and win the coveted Bronze Door award. The top choice, as voted by Society members, is to fund the construction of new steel display mounts for the two Spanish Bronze Cannons which have been in the Museum‘s collection since the 1930‘s. Conservator Dave Krop made the winning presentation. Click Here for additional details on this project.

Ron was thanked for his accomplishments in leading the Society for the past two years and Bob Schappert was introduced as the Steering Council Chairman for the 2010-11 year. He reminded the members of the upcoming Bronze Door Society events and challenged all to help increase the Society membership.

View 2010 Event and Project Proposals
View 2009 Event and Project Proposals
View 2008 Project Proposal Selections
View 2007 Project Proposal Selections

Behind The Scenes Tour
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Learn More

On March 24, Bronze Door Society members toured the new artifact storage area that had been installed in the former library space and also toured the maritime art collection. Among the nearly 1,300 paintings in the storage area were works by Robert Salmon, James Buttersworth, Samuel Walters, Fitz H. Lane, Antonio Jacobson, and the Bard brothers. Museum curators and archivists conducted the tour, and joined the group for refreshments and discussion afterwards. For more information on this past event, call the Development Office at (757) 591-7714 or e-mail membership@marinersmuseum.org.

Hampton Roads Harbor Cruise followed by
Dinner at the Hampton Yacht Club
Sunday, September 13, 2009

Over 50 members of the Bronze Door Society and their friends cast off from the Hampton Yacht Club under a pleasantly warm sun and a picture-book sky at 5:00 P.M. on Sunday afternoon. As the Miss Hampton II made her way across Hampton Roads, a knowledgeable and animated narrator described every noteworthy vista along the way, including Fortress Monroe, Fort Wool, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, and Naval Station Norfolk (known colloquially as NOB) where he named and described nearly every ship in port! A pod of dolphins escorted Miss Hampton part way on the Norfolk side of the harbor. The narrator finished up his story-telling with the clash of the ironclads CSS Virginia and USS Monitor as we sailed very near the actual spot where the epic battle took place on March 9, 1862. Upon return to HYC, the group enjoyed a dinner of roast beef and broiled Shenandoah trout with all the fixin’s, culminating with cherry cobbler ala mode.

“It was a delightful trip across the harbor and the most informative talk on the Navy’s diverse mix of ships that I’ve heard, and I’ve worked at the Shipyard for several years. The meal at the Yacht Club was great and the only thing better than the food was the camaraderie! The Bronze Door Society is THE way to go!”
—Donni Brumback

“We’ve made Mother Nature an honorary member of the Bronze Door Society as a way of saying “thanks” for the great weather! It was, as always, a very collegial group and the conversation flowed easily. Based on comments from the people who made about the cruise, we’ve already started planning another trip for next fall.”
—Ron Lewis

Oyster Roast
Saturday, October 17, 2009
On the banks of Lake Maury

Food, Music, and Fun by the Boat Load

The annual Oyster Roast opened on Saturday, October 17 under cool and drizzly conditions. The huge tent was artfully decorated in a seasonal theme with candles, pumpkins, signal flags and seashells, and display tables showed off the enticing selection of Silent Auction items. The Featured band, Brother Lucy played a variety of music that ranged from lively rock to smooth sounds of R&B. BS Barbeque supplied a seemingly endless flow of oysters, ‘cue and other goodies and the terrific scents and tastes kept everyone’s spirits warm. Food, music and fun…and it all came together under the capable management of Nancy Petters and Mary Katherine Hogg, co-chairs of this year’s event. At the end of the wonderful day, the chief beneficiary was, as always, the Museum. This marked another successful fund-raising event to support the Museum’s collections. After all, that’s what we’re here for!

Proceeds benefit the Bronze Door Society which supports the acquisition and conservation of artifacts for The Mariners' Museum.

For more information on the Oyster Roast, call (757) 591-7754.

Wreathing the Lions
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Lions Bridge

Kicking off the Holiday season with style and tradition, the Bronze Door Society gathered at the Lion’s Bridge to unveil our stately Huntington Lions in their holiday garb. The Society had, as in past years, placed huge ribboned wreaths around the necks of the four lions guarding the “back door” entry onto the Museum’s grounds. And that’s certainly a good reason to have a party! We celebrated the Wreathing under unseasonably warm and sunny skies with wine and cider, snacks, music provided by the Choral Society, and KIDS!! This year’s event featured the little folks and it included all sorts of activities and diversions for them. They had their faces painted, ROARRRRRED like a lion in our Lion Roaring contest, pinned the tail on Leo the Lion and won prizes and treats. Our professional photographer was on hand to take photos of the kids with the lion sculptures and they got to feast on delicious lion-shaped cookies! Thanks to the co-chairs of this year’s event, McKim Williams and Elizabeth Wash, this has become the seasonal kickoff for the Museum’s holiday activities and it was enjoyed this year by about 300 guests! All, of course, to benefit the Museum’s collections. Mark your calendars for November 28 2010 so you won’t miss this fun family event this year!

For more information, call the Development Office at 757-591-7715 or email Development@marinersmuseum.org.